Cozy Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this creamy Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup that warms hearts and satisfies hunger.

Restaurants often charge premium prices for such delectable dishes, but you can now recreate this beloved classic right in your kitchen.

Tender chicken, soft potato gnocchi, and a velvety broth combine to deliver pure culinary magic.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients transform into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.

Spinach adds a fresh green touch that makes this soup both nutritious and incredibly delicious.

Each bite promises rich flavors and comforting textures that transport you straight to an Italian kitchen.

Let’s find out this recipe and enjoy a soul-soothing soup that rivals any restaurant version.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 390 kcal

Servings: 7

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredient List

• Butter, Olive Oil: Create a rich, golden foundation that adds depth and prevents sticking while building complex flavor layers.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic: Classic mirepoix blend that provides a robust vegetable backbone with sweet and savory undertones, choose fresh crisp vegetables for maximum flavor punch.

• Chicken Broth, Half & Half: Delivers layered liquid base with creamy richness, select low-sodium broth for better control of salt levels and use fresh dairy for smoothest texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create silky soup consistency and provides gentle binding for ingredients.

• Cooked White Meat Chicken: Adds lean protein and satisfying heartiness, use rotisserie or freshly poached chicken for best results.

• Potato Gnocchi: Brings pillowy, comforting texture and substantial bite, choose vacuum-sealed or fresh gnocchi for optimal softness.

• Baby Spinach, Fresh Basil: Introduces vibrant color, peppery notes, and nutritional boost, select crisp, bright green leaves without wilting.

• Parmesan, Romano Cheese: Provides salty, nutty garnish that elevates overall flavor profile, grate directly before serving for maximum aroma.

• Coarse Salt, Fresh Black Pepper: Enhance and balance all ingredients, freshly ground pepper offers most intense flavor.

Kitchen Equipment for Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking the soup base and combining all ingredients, ensuring even heat distribution.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, and celery with precision and ease.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for finely dicing vegetables and mincing garlic quickly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking while cooking.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately add chicken broth and half & half for consistent results.
• Colander: Used for draining gnocchi after cooking to ensure proper texture.
• Grater: Helps create fresh grated cheese topping for serving.

Step-by-Step Chicken Gnocchi Soup Preparation

• Veggie Flavor Foundation

Create a delicious base by gently sautéing onions, carrots, celery, and garlic in a blend of butter and olive oil. Let the vegetables soften and release their wonderful aromas, developing a rich flavor profile that will make your kitchen smell amazing.

• Creamy Transformation

Dust the tender vegetables with a light coating of flour, then slowly introduce chicken broth and cream. Stir carefully to create a silky, smooth texture that will warm your soul. The mixture should become wonderfully thick and luxurious.

• Hearty Protein Addition

Fold in tender chicken pieces and let the soup simmer gently. This allows all the flavors to mingle and create a harmonious blend that speaks of home-cooked comfort. The liquid will slowly thicken and become more flavorful with each passing minute.

• Final Flourish

Introduce pillowy gnocchi and fresh spinach into the bubbling soup. Let the spinach gently wilt and the gnocchi become perfectly heated. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil and a generous handful of cheese for a restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen.

Flavor Ideas and Tweaks for Gnocchi Soup

• Try using store-bought or homemade potato gnocchi for different textures and flavors. Whole wheat or gluten-free options work great for dietary needs.
• Swap chicken with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or white beans for a quick protein alternative. Shredded rotisserie chicken adds extra flavor and saves cooking time.
• Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, kale, or mushrooms to increase nutrition and add more depth to the soup. Roasting vegetables beforehand intensifies their taste.
• For a thicker soup, let it simmer longer or add a bit more flour. Use an immersion blender to partially puree some vegetables for extra creaminess without changing the soup's core character.
• Fresh herbs make a huge difference – try thyme, oregano, or parsley alongside basil for a more complex flavor profile. Dried herbs work well too if fresh aren't available.

Serving Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Cozy Comfort Companion: Pair this creamy soup with a warm, crusty Italian bread to soak up all the delicious broth and add a delightful texture contrast.
• Salad Symphony: Serve alongside a crisp romaine salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add a fresh, zesty element to your meal.
• Wine Harmony: Complement the soup's creamy profile with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay, which will enhance the subtle flavors of chicken and herbs.
• Protein Power-Up: Add an extra protein boost by topping the soup with crispy pancetta bits or additional shredded rotisserie chicken for those seeking a heartier meal.

Storing Chicken Gnocchi Soup for Later

• Smart Batch Cooking: Whip up a double batch of this cozy soup on weekends and portion into meal-prep containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Each container stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top. Sealed tightly, the soup maintains its delicious flavor for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick. Avoid microwaving to prevent gnocchi from becoming tough or rubbery.
• Ingredient Swap Wisdom: Keep pre-cooked chicken and gnocchi on hand for quick soup assembly. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly, and vacuum-sealed gnocchi stay fresh in the pantry for convenient meal preparation anytime.

Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Comforting olive garden chicken gnocchi soup brings hearty Italian-American flavors to dinner tables across North America. Creamy spinach-studded soup delivers rich chicken and potato dumpling goodness for home cooks craving restaurant-style satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound potato gnocchi
• 2 cups cooked white meat chicken (shredded or cut into small bites)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups half and half
• 3 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach (stems removed)
• ½ cup onion (diced)
• ½ cup carrots (diced)
• ½ cup celery (diced)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• Coarse salt
• Fresh black pepper
• Fresh grated Parmesan and/or Romano (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: Heat butter and olive oil in a stockpot over medium temperature, creating a golden aromatic base for the soup’s flavor profile.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables soften and become translucent, releasing their natural sweetness, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Roux Development: Sprinkle flour over softened vegetables, stirring continuously to prevent clumping and eliminate raw flour essence. Cook for 2-3 minutes to develop a rich, nutty undertone.
4. Liquid Integration: Gradually whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream, creating a smooth, velvety liquid that harmonizes the soup’s components. Simmer gently to meld flavors.
5. Protein and Texture Incorporation: Add shredded chicken and allow it to warm through, infusing the soup with savory depth. Introduce pre-cooked gnocchi, letting them absorb the creamy liquid.
6. Final Flourish: Fold in fresh baby spinach and basil leaves, allowing them to wilt and release their aromatic essence. Adjust seasoning to taste, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
7. Serving Presentation: Ladle the soup into warm bowls, crowning with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the dish’s richness and complexity.

Notes

• Boost Vegetable Flavor: Sauté vegetables slowly to develop deeper, richer taste and enhance overall soup complexity.
• Prevent Flour Lumps: Continuously stir flour into vegetables to create smooth roux without clumping, ensuring silky soup texture.
• Manage Cream Carefully: Add heavy cream gradually and avoid boiling to prevent separation and maintain creamy consistency.
• Optimize Gnocchi Timing: Add gnocchi near end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect tender texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg