🎉 Introduction

If you love rich, creamy, soul-warming soups, this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the perfect comfort meal. Inspired by the iconic restaurant favorite, this homemade version is even better—cozier, creamier, fresher, and packed with wholesome ingredients that elevate every spoonful.

Tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and delicate herbs come together in a velvety broth that feels like a warm hug. The soft potato gnocchi soak up all the flavor while adding a satisfying bite, the vegetables bring brightness and depth, and the creamy base ties the entire soup into a luxurious bowl of Italian-inspired comfort.

This recipe is incredibly easy, quick to make, and perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or cold-weather cravings. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or simply yourself—this is the kind of soup that makes everybody say, “I need another bowl!”

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons & cups
• Ladle

🛒 Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken

Vegetables

• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Broth

• 6 cups chicken broth

Pasta

• 1 package potato gnocchi

Seasonings

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Oil

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Dairy

• 1 cup heavy cream

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1 — Sauté the vegetables

Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, and celery.
Cook 6–8 minutes, until softened.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 2 — Add broth & seasonings

Pour in chicken broth.
Stir in dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 3 — Add chicken

Add shredded chicken to the pot and stir.
Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 4 — Add gnocchi

Add the gnocchi directly into the simmering soup.
Cook 3–4 minutes, or until they float and become soft.

Step 5 — Add cream

Lower heat.
Stir in heavy cream until the soup becomes rich and velvety.

Step 6 — Add spinach

Stir in fresh spinach and cook 1–2 minutes until wilted.

Step 7 — Taste & adjust

Add extra salt, black pepper, or herbs based on your preference.

Step 8 — Serve

Ladle soup into bowls and enjoy the silky, creamy texture.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Keeps 3–4 days
• Gnocchi absorbs broth—add extra liquid when reheating

Freezer

• Best frozen before adding gnocchi and cream
• Add both after reheating

Reheating

• Warm gently over low heat
• Add broth if the soup thickens

🥄 Variations

1. Extra Creamy

Add ½ cup cream cheese.

2. Protein-Boosted

Add white beans or chickpeas.

3. Veggie-Loaded

Add mushrooms, zucchini, kale, or peas.

4. Spicy Version

Stir in red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño.

5. Light Version

Use milk instead of heavy cream.

6. Dairy-Free

Use coconut milk for creaminess.

7. Keto Version

Replace gnocchi with cauliflower florets.

8. Lemon-Herb

Add lemon zest and fresh basil for a bright twist.

9. Tomato-Infused

Add diced tomatoes for a richer Italian flavor.

10. Slow Cooker Version

Cook everything except cream & gnocchi for 4–5 hours on LOW.
Stir in cream & gnocchi 20 minutes before serving.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Do I need to boil the gnocchi first?

No—they cook directly in the broth.

2. Can I use frozen gnocchi?

Yes—just add 1–2 extra minutes.

3. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes—it makes this recipe even easier.

4. Can I make this soup dairy-free?

Yes—use coconut milk.

5. What broth works best?

Chicken broth adds richness, but vegetable broth works too.

6. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely—this soup is very customizable.

7. Why did my soup thicken too much?

Gnocchi absorbs liquid. Add broth when reheating.

8. Can kids eat this?

Yes—it’s mild, creamy, and kid-friendly.

9. How do I make it thick and hearty?

Add extra gnocchi or mash some vegetables.

10. Can I freeze leftovers?

Freeze before adding cream and gnocchi for best texture.

🏁 Conclusion

This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is creamy, cozy, comforting, and full of Italian-inspired flavor. With tender chicken, soft gnocchi, fresh spinach, and aromatic herbs, every bowl delivers rich satisfaction and warm comfort.

It’s easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights, and adaptable with endless variations. Whether you’re craving restaurant nostalgia or homemade comfort, this soup brings warmth, flavor, and joy to every spoonful.

Adam

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup – Creamy, Cozy & Restaurant-Style Comfort

If you love rich, creamy, soul-warming soups, this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the perfect comfort meal. Inspired by the iconic restaurant favorite, this homemade version is even better—cozier, creamier, fresher, and packed with wholesome ingredients that elevate every spoonful. Tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and delicate herbs come together in a velvety broth that feels like a warm hug. The soft potato gnocchi soak up all the flavor while adding a satisfying bite, the vegetables bring brightness and depth, and the creamy base ties the entire soup into a luxurious bowl of Italian-inspired comfort. This recipe is incredibly easy, quick to make, and perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or cold-weather cravings. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or simply yourself—this is the kind of soup that makes everybody say, “I need another bowl!”

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken

Vegetables

• 2 medium carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Broth

• 6 cups chicken broth

Pasta

• 1 package potato gnocchi

Seasonings

• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Oil

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Dairy

• 1 cup heavy cream

Equipment

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons & cups
• Ladle

Method

 

Step 1 — Sauté the vegetables

1. Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery.
3. Cook 6–8 minutes, until softened.
4. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 2 — Add broth & seasonings

1. Pour in chicken broth.
2. Stir in dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 3 — Add chicken

1. Add shredded chicken to the pot and stir.
2. Simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 4 — Add gnocchi

1. Add the gnocchi directly into the simmering soup.
2. Cook 3–4 minutes, or until they float and become soft.

Step 5 — Add cream

1. Lower heat.
2. Stir in heavy cream until the soup becomes rich and velvety.

Step 6 — Add spinach

1. Stir in fresh spinach and cook 1–2 minutes until wilted.

Step 7 — Taste & adjust

1. Add extra salt, black pepper, or herbs based on your preference.

Step 8 — Serve

1. Ladle soup into bowls and enjoy the silky, creamy texture.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator

Keeps 3–4 days

Gnocchi absorbs broth—add extra liquid when reheating

Freezer

Best frozen before adding gnocchi and cream

Add both after reheating

Reheating

Warm gently over low heat

Add broth if the soup thickens

🥄 Variations
1. Extra Creamy

Add ½ cup cream cheese.

2. Protein-Boosted

Add white beans or chickpeas.

3. Veggie-Loaded

Add mushrooms, zucchini, kale, or peas.

4. Spicy Version

Stir in red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño.

5. Light Version

Use milk instead of heavy cream.

6. Dairy-Free

Use coconut milk for creaminess.

7. Keto Version

Replace gnocchi with cauliflower florets.

8. Lemon-Herb

Add lemon zest and fresh basil for a bright twist.

9. Tomato-Infused

Add diced tomatoes for a richer Italian flavor.

10. Slow Cooker Version

Cook everything except cream & gnocchi for 4–5 hours on LOW.
Stir in cream & gnocchi 20 minutes before serving.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Do I need to boil the gnocchi first?

No—they cook directly in the broth.

2. Can I use frozen gnocchi?

Yes—just add 1–2 extra minutes.

3. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes—it makes this recipe even easier.

4. Can I make this soup dairy-free?

Yes—use coconut milk.

5. What broth works best?

Chicken broth adds richness, but vegetable broth works too.

6. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely—this soup is very customizable.

7. Why did my soup thicken too much?

Gnocchi absorbs liquid. Add broth when reheating.

8. Can kids eat this?

Yes—it’s mild, creamy, and kid-friendly.

9. How do I make it thick and hearty?

Add extra gnocchi or mash some vegetables.

10. Can I freeze leftovers?

Freeze before adding cream and gnocchi for best texture.

🏁 Conclusion

This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is creamy, cozy, comforting, and full of Italian-inspired flavor. With tender chicken, soft gnocchi, fresh spinach, and aromatic herbs, every bowl delivers rich satisfaction and warm comfort.

It’s easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights, and adaptable with endless variations. Whether you’re craving restaurant nostalgia or homemade comfort, this soup brings warmth, flavor, and joy to every spoonful.