Hearty Chicken Gnocchi Soup

I am lovin' this weather!  A high today of 64!!!  Sweatshirts!  And soup.

And my, oh my.  This is a good one.  And light and healthy, to boot!  This soup is simply lucious.  Absolutely put this on your autumn menu.  

I've never made homemade gnocchi and doubt I will because it's so easy to use the delicious premade gnocchi in your pasta aisle.  In fact, there are two sizes.  I used the regular, but there are minis if you prefer a smaller dumpling.  I served it with an arugula salad with grape tomatoes, parmesan, pine nuts, and Julia Child's vinaigrette, and a crusty Panera baguette.  Perfect meal for this enchanting weather.

HEARTY CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP (Serves 4-6)

1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup chopped or sliced carrots
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup AP flour
2 cups fat-free 1/2 & 1/2
1 cup lowfat milk
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
16 oz package gnocchi
1-2 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken breasts
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
S&P to taste

In a 4 or 5 quart pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot and rippling.  Add the chopped onion, carrots, and thyme.  Cook until the onion is translucent and carrots are slightly tender, stirring often, about 4-5 minutes.  Stir in the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant. 

Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking or stirring constantly, until the flour is lightly golden, 1-2 minutes.  Slowly whisk in the half-and-half.  Whisk in the milk and chicken broth.  Stir until bring the mixture to a boil over medium to medium-high heat.

Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is slightly thickened, 5-7 minutes.  Stir in the uncooked gnocchi and simmer over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The soup should thicken up quite a bit while the gnocchi is cooking.  Stir in the chicken and spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.  Season w/S&P to taste and serve.

*NOTE:  This soup is thick and hearty.  If you like a less thick soup, simply add more liquid (either milk or chicken broth).  Add this at the end with the chicken and spinach, after the soup has thickened.