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    Published: Nov 16, 2022 · Modified: Sep 20, 2023 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Pumpkin Gnocchi Chicken Soup

    Spicy, savory sage pumpkin broth with sweet pumpkin gnocchi, shredded chicken, smoked turkey, carrots, and kale, creating a comforting, hearty chicken gnocchi soup.

    pumpkin gnocchi chicken soup in a black bowl on a wooden cutting board

    PSL Season!

    When fall comes around, pumpkins are guaranteed to be at every North American market. Thanks to Starbucks, we have the "PSL" season. Get with the program if you do not yet know what this means.

    And no, we are not talking about the "Party for Socialism and Liberation." I looked it up. Thanks, Google. It also stands for "Pumpkin Spice Latte." Now you can get pumpkin spiced everything.

    The other day, I tried pumpkin spiced madeleine cakes. You know, that French pastry that looks like a long shell? I'm not going to lie; I liked it, plus I gave up; it was delicious.

    And yes, I may be late, but I had my first PSL, but not at Starbucks. But at Dunkin' Donuts. They were closer, and I didn't want to give in too much. Honestly, it was interesting.

    And it tasted like I expected—coffee with spices that you would put in a pumpkin pie. Plus, getting a whole bunch of whipped cream on something was a great excuse. Hey, life is short, and you gotta have fun.

    Little things like these create memories and are things to look forward to, so why not? Create foodie memories with Chicken Meatballs & Israeli Couscous Vegetable Soup; it's so good! And for a citrus lemony kick, try the Green Lentil Kale Stew.

    Move over, pumpkin! I think you have competition with butternut squash and sweet potato. Check out my Butternut Squash Chicken Chili and Spicy Red Bean Stew with Dumplings and Smoked Turkey recipe. However, if you want more gnocchi soup recipes, try my Curry Chicken Gnocchi Soup with Spinach and Mushrooms.

    Jump to:
    • PSL Season!
    • Thank You, Trader Joe’s!
    • Soup Joumou
    • K.I.S.S.
    • Ingredients and Instructions
    • I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bacon
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Cooking tip
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Soup Recipes
    • Poultry Recipes
    • Video: How to Shred Chicken?
    • Video
    • Recipe
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • Have a Comment or Question?

    Thank You, Trader Joe’s!

    So, at Trader Joe’s, I got my hands on some pumpkin gnocchi. They are so good! Gnocchi is a miniature dumpling-like pasta. I say pasta because it is usually served with ingredients you would usually serve in Italian pasta dishes, from parmesan cheese and pesto to sage butter or tomato sauce.

    They differ from Asian dumplings, which have fillings, and American and Caribbean dumplings, which are mainly made from wheat flour. Gnocchis are primarily made from potatoes.

    They have a hint of sweetness and are fluffy and light. If you can't get your hands on pumpkin gnocchi, you can use regular gnocchi from your local market; it will still turn out delicious!

    Soup Joumou

    The inspiration for this homemade soup recipe comes from my Haitian background with Soup Joumou and, believe it or not, Olive Garden's Chicken & Gnocchi soup.

    Soup Joumou is a soup traditionally served on Sundays and in remembrance of Haiti's Independence Day, January 1, 1804, every New Year. It's a spicy beef pumpkin soup with various ingredients, depending on who makes it. The "pumpkin" used is a calabaza squash, a West Indian squash, cooked and then pureed.

    The soup usually has flour dumplings, carrots, beef or goat on the bone, and stewed beef or cow feet. In addition, it's a hearty soup with cabbage, carrots, tubers like potatoes or turnips, a type of onion, pasta like spaghetti, macaroni, rigatoni, or Haitian style like penne pasta- that can be a foot long!

    Then seasoned with spices like adobo style seasoning, with cloves, herbs, such as thyme, parsley, cilantro, or culantro, and flavored with lime or lemon juice, tomato paste, beef broth or bouillon cubes, with a scotch bonnet or habanero pepper.

    Usually, it is served with Haitian bread, a dense, slightly sweet bread, with a sweet yellow banana. There’s just something about that contrast between sweet and savory that goes great together.

    K.I.S.S.

    But I decided to keep this homemade soup simple and easy, like Olive Garden's Chicken & Gnocchi soup, by having the creamy soup base, the gnocchi, shredded chicken, carrots, smoked turkey, and kale.

    But with seasonings, you would find them in a delicious piping bowl of Haitian soup. Interestingly, neighboring counties in the Caribbean have a pumpkin soup, like Jamaica's Pumpkin Soup, that uses a cock soup thickening spice mixture and may have other vegetables, like chayote and plantain.

    If you are Jamaican and/or Haitian, I would love to hear what you put in your pumpkin soup!

    Ingredients and Instructions

    For this pumpkin soup recipe, you will start by seasoning the chicken breast with salt and pepper and browning it. Then remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for five minutes to redistribute the chicken juice in the chicken before shredding evenly.

    If you don't let it rest, hot chicken juice will leak all over your cutting board. Then add the uncured turkey bacon and sage. After a minute, add garlic and deglaze with white wine to enhance the flavor.

    For spicy food, I recommend using Sauvignon Blanc. Add the chicken broth or chicken bouillon, pumpkin puree, chili flakes, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Then shred the chicken after it rests and add it to the pot.

    Since gnocchi usually takes about three minutes to cook, add this at the end with the shredded carrots and shredded kale.

    Once the gnocchi is tender, serve and enjoy! As you can see, I replaced the broccolini with shredded kale; it was much better this way, and the broccoli gets soggy after storing, etc. Kale keeps up much better.

    See the gnocchi chicken soup recipe card for quantities.

    prepped ingredients for the pumpkin gnocchi chicken soup in containers on a large black pizza pan.

    Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with cooking tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab.  In addition, some related detailed steps can be found there. Learn how to make carrot matchsticks quickly!

    I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bacon

    Honestly, and in my opinion, there is no such thing as turkey bacon; it's usually seasoned, compressed, chopped turkey meat shaped into what a slab of pork belly would look like, then cured and sliced into the style of pork bacon.

    Real bacon comes from the pork belly, where the flesh and adipose tissue fat are connected. As a result, bacon has that layered look. I love pork belly, but guess what? I can't always have it.

    However, when it's time to limit my pork intake, my go-to for adding smokiness to a dish will be a smoked turkey leg or turkey bacon and some smoked paprika.

    Substitutions

    • Pumpkin Puree - Sweet potato, an American yam, can be a great alternative, but cook the sweet potato first, then blend it. Additionally, butternut or Hubbard squash might also work. You can also try to get away with acorn squash; know that this squash has more water content.
    • Turkey Bacon - Used regular pork uncured bacon. Try also beef and plant-based bacon, but I have not tried either.
    • White Wine Used - I recommend you use Sauvignon Blanc due to its ability to pair with seafood and spicy dishes due to its dry note. Additionally, you do not want to use a sweet wine. However, you may try Pinot Gris if you can't find Sauvignon Blanc. Remember, these are white wines; do not get it confused with Cabernet Sauvignon.

    Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

    Equipment

    • Medium Dutch Oven - Dutch ovens are great for soups, especially enameled cast iron ones, like the Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid. In addition, they are great for even cooking and versatility; they can go in the oven.
    • Holding Tray - Used to hold the stir-fried vegetables. I suggest using a metal tray like the USA Pan Bakeware Quarter Sheet Pan since it is the perfect size to place next to the stove to keep the ingredients warm.
    • Shredding Chicken - You can use the meat shredder, which looks like plastic bear claws that come in a set with long teeth, like the Bear Paws Meat Claws - The Original Meat Shredder Claws. Or you can use two forks. One holds the chicken in place while the other tears small pieces off. Then, you would return to the big chunks you tore off and shred them.

    Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

    Storage

    • Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the gnocchi chicken soup in a  shallow 2-inch pan to cool down quickly. Then, store in an air-tight sealing container. As a result, the meal will last up to four days.
    • Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. Then, you can place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.

    Air Tight Food Containers - I use Glass Food Storage Containers with a plastic clipping lid to store food.  For example, I always suggest glass storage containers since you can microwave them and hold food without staining the container, and the glass keeps them at a more stable temperature, which keeps the food fresher longer.

    Cooking tip

    Cooking with White Wine - I prefer Sauvignon Blanc, which goes great with spicy poultry and fish dishes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does gnocchi take like?

    They are delicate dough dumplings with a slight chewiness and a hint of sweetness from the potatoes.

    How long does gnocchi take to cook?

    Typically gnocchi takes about three to five minutes to cook when placed in simmer to boiling liquid. In addition, since gnocchi are light and fluffy, they will be done once they are seen floating to the top.

    What is gnocchi made of?

    Gnocchi is primarily made from potatoes, flour, and egg.

    Soup Recipes

    Looking for other soup recipes like this? Try these:

    • red borscht soup in a black bowl with sour cream in the shape of a heart on top sprinkled with aleppo pepper flakes and topped with a dill leaf.
      Aleppo Pepper Spiced Vegetarian Borscht
    • Gnocchi with small chicken chunks, brown sliced mushrooms, spinach and red diced bell pepper in a bowl of yellow curry sauce with sprinkled cheese on top
      Curry Chicken Gnocchi Soup with Spinach and Mushrooms
    • Chicken meatball soup with isreali couscous with vegetables in a black bowl
      Chicken Meatballs & Israeli Couscous Vegetable Soup
    • chili in a bowl with shredded chicken, butternutsquqsh, kidney beans, with diced avocado spooned on top in a white wide rim bowl
      Butternut Squash Chicken Chili
    See more Soup →

    Poultry Recipes

    Looking for other poultry recipes like this? Try these:

    • italian chicken sausage stuffed portobello mushroom wtih spaghetti smothered in tomato sauce and melted burrata cheese
      Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Burrata & Sauce
    • Spicy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a round pasta bowl garnished with grated cheese and pistachios
      Spicy Pesto Chicken Pasta Homemade One-Pot-Meal
    • Chicken sweet potato zucchini stew in a tomato base sauce with couscous in a round white pasta bowl on a wooden board
      Spicy Chicken Vegetable Stew with Harissa Tomato Sauce
    • chicken pita with arugula tomato feta cheese salad on top on a round white plate
      Spicy Chicken Pitas with Arugula Feta Pomegranate Salad
    See more Poultry →

    Video: How to Shred Chicken?

    Video

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    Recipe

    📖 Recipe

    Pumpkin Gnocchi Chicken Soup

    A hearty, comforting soup with a spicy, savory sage pumpkin broth with sweet pumpkin gnocchi, shredded chicken, smoked turkey, carrots, and kale.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Poultry
    Cuisine Italian, Caribbean, American, Mediterranean, North American
    Servings 4
    Calories 415.25 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 12 ounces chicken breast skinless, boneless
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 ounces of uncured turkey bacon sliced into thing strips
    • 1 cup onion small diced
    • 2 sprigs of sage left whole
    • 3 garlic cloves minced or garlic pressed
    • ¼ cup white wine
    • 6 cups chicken broth
    • 1 ½ cup pumpkin puree
    • ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
    • t teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 14 ounces of pumpkin gnocchi
    • 1 ½ cup carrots julienne
    • 2 cups kale shredded

    Instructions
     

    • Save time in the kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
    • Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
    • Heat a medium-sized dutch oven pot, a 3 to 5-quart pot, on medium-high heat.
    • When the pot is hot, add the oil.
    • Sear the chicken(s) for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
    • Remove the chicken and place it on a baking dish to keep warm.
    • Then, reduce the heat to medium.
    • Add the bacon, onion, and sage.
    • Once the onions are translucent, add the garlic and cook for one minute.
    • Add the wine to the bacon and onion mixture. Allow the wine to cook for 30 seconds to release some alcohol.
    • Then add the chicken back to the pot.
    • Next, add the broth, pumpkin puree, chili flakes, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
    • Taste the broth and season with salt.
    • Increase the heat to medium-high, cover, and bring to a rapid simmer.
    • Cook the chicken in the soup broth until tender. The chicken should have a quick bounce back when poked.
    • Remove the chicken and sage and place the chicken on a cutting board for cooked meats to rest for 5 minutes. Discard the sage.
    • Add the gnocchi, carrots, and kale to the rapidly simmering broth.
    • While the gnocchi and vegetables cook for about three minutes, shred the chicken.
    • Place the shredded chicken back into the soup.
    • Optional: Served the soup with chopped parsley.
    Keyword quick and easy, dinner, meal prep, soup, dairy-free, fall, winter, stove top, one pot meal, spicy, egg-free, nut-free, 45 minute meal, pollotarian, chicken
    quick and easy, dinner, meal prep, soup, dairy-free, fall, winter, stove top, one pot meal, spicy, egg-free, nut-free, 45 minute meal, pollotarian, chicken
    Poultry
    Italian, Caribbean, American, Mediterranean, North American
    Yield: 4
    Author: Maika Frederic
    Pumpkin Gnocchi Chicken Soup

    Pumpkin Gnocchi Chicken Soup

    A hearty, comforting soup with a spicy, savory sage pumpkin broth with sweet pumpkin gnocchi, shredded chicken, smoked turkey, carrots, and kale.
    Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

    Ingredients

    Chicken Breast
    Rest of Soup

    Instructions

    Notes

    White Wine

    • I prefer Sauvignon Blanc, which goes great with spicy poultry and fish dishes.

    Shredding Chicken

    • You can purchase tools to shred meat that look like plastic bear claws that come in sets of two with long teeth.
    • Or you can use two forks.  One holds the chicken in place while the other tears small pieces off.  Then you would return to the big chunks you tore off and shred them.

    Pumpkin Substitutes

    • Sweet potato, aka American yam, can be a great alternative. You need to cook the sweet potato first, then blend it.
    • Butternut or Hubbard squash might work as well.
    • You can try to get away with acorn squash; know that this squash has more water content.

    Storage: Refrigerator

    • To store in the refrigerator, you can place the soup in a  shallow 2-inch pan to cool down quickly.
    • Then store in an air-tight sealing container.
    • The meal will last up to four days.

    Storage: Freezer

    • First, follow the refrigeration process mentioned above.
    • Then you can place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.

    Reheat: Stove Top

    • Thaw it out entirely in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth if frozen.
    • I suggest heating it slowly in a saucepan on low heat, covering it with a lid, and occasionally stirring to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.

    Reheat: Microwave

    • Thaw it out entirely in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth if frozen.
    • Heat one to two cups in a bowl for two minutes and a microwave cover, stirring the dish content every minute until it is hot.


    Recommended Products:

    OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Ladle
    Cutting Board Mats Flexible Plastic Colored Mats with Food Icons, Fotouzy BPA-Free, Non-Porous, Anti-skid back and Dishwasher Safe, Set of 7
    Eddingtons HIC Italian Olive Wood Cooking Spoon, Handcrafted in Europe, 12-Inch,50002

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories

    415.25

    Fat

    18.98 g

    Sat. Fat

    4.12 g

    Carbs

    28.74 g

    Fiber

    7.04 g

    Net carbs

    21.7 g

    Sugar

    11.8 g

    Protein

    33.02 g

    Sodium

    2698.2 mg

    Cholesterol

    89.26 mg

    These are calculations based on search results of the ingredient's nutritional information.


    Similar Recipes

    Butternut Squash Chicken Chili

    Spicy Red Bean Stew with Dumplings and Smoked Turkey

    Chicken Meatballs & Israeli Couscous Vegetable Soup

    https://www.justmaikacooking.com/recipes/pumpkin-gnocchi-soup
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    Created using The Recipes Generator

    Food safety

    • Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent foodborne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
    • Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
    • Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Welcome. I’m Maika, a former professional culinarian for over a decade. I’ve worked for major hotels such as the PGA National Resort, The Ritz-Carlon Hotel Company, Conrad Hilton, and W Hotel. And as a lifetime passionate cook, my blog is about exploring a world of flavors and experimenting with recipes to create restaurant-quality quick and easy dishes that will excite the taste buds.

    More about me →

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