🎉 Introduction
If you love the warm, comforting flavors of restaurant-style soups, this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup will quickly become one of your favorite homemade recipes. Creamy, hearty, and incredibly satisfying, this soup brings together tender chicken, soft pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and aromatic vegetables in one rich, velvety bowl. It tastes just like the famous Olive Garden version—but even better because it’s fresh, customizable, and made right in your own kitchen.
This soup is perfect for cold evenings, busy weekdays, or whenever you want a dish that feels both luxurious and nourishing. The soft gnocchi adds a delightful, chewy texture, while the shredded chicken and vegetables deepen the flavor. The creamy base makes it feel indulgent, yet it’s simple and wholesome enough to enjoy any time of the week.
Whether you’re serving a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or craving something warm and soul-soothing, this Chicken Gnocchi Soup is guaranteed to become a new staple in your home. Let’s get started on this restaurant favorite—made even better in your kitchen!
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle
- Small bowl for thickening mixture
- Airtight containers for storage
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken & Vegetables
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, finely sliced
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Soup Base
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk or heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- Fresh parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Heat olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Add the Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add Seasonings
Sprinkle thyme, oregano, pepper, and a pinch of salt into the pot. Stir to coat the vegetables.
Step 4: Make a Roux
Add the flour and mix well until the vegetables are evenly coated. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Step 5: Add the Broth
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly. This prevents lumps and forms the base of the soup.
Step 6: Add the Chicken
Add the shredded chicken into the pot. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
Step 7: Add the Gnocchi
Stir in the potato gnocchi and let it cook for 3–4 minutes until it begins to float. Floating means it’s perfectly cooked.
Step 8: Make It Creamy
Pour in the milk or heavy cream. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low to avoid boiling the dairy.
Step 9: Add the Spinach
Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt into the creamy broth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 10: Serve
Once the soup is thick, creamy, and fragrant, turn off the heat. Serve warm with optional parmesan on top.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 6 bowls
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer
Because the soup contains dairy and gnocchi, freezing may slightly change the texture. If you freeze it, store for up to 2 months and reheat slowly.
Reheating
- Stovetop: Heat on low, stirring frequently.
- Microwave: Heat for 1–2 minutes.
If the soup thickens in the fridge, add a splash of broth or milk.
🥄 Variations
- Extra Creamy: Add ½ cup parmesan cheese.
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or use spicy chicken sausage.
- Low-Calorie: Replace cream with evaporated milk.
- Veggie-Loaded: Add mushrooms or zucchini.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free gnocchi and swap flour for cornstarch.
- Protein Boost: Add extra shredded chicken.
- Herb-Forward: Add rosemary or basil for deeper flavor.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What type of chicken works best?
Shredded chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully.
2. Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes—use coconut milk and cornstarch instead of flour.
3. Does gnocchi need to be cooked separately?
No! Add it directly to the soup; it cooks perfectly in the broth.
4. Can I make this soup thicker?
Increase the flour to ⅓ cup or simmer longer.
5. Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes—add gnocchi only during the last 30 minutes.
6. Can I use frozen spinach?
Absolutely. Use ½ cup frozen spinach and add directly to the soup.
7. Why is my soup too thick?
Gnocchi absorbs broth. Add more milk or chicken broth to thin it.
8. Can I add cheese?
Yes—parmesan adds a delicious savory flavor.
9. How do I avoid curdling the cream?
Keep heat low after adding the dairy.
10. What can I serve with this soup?
Breadsticks, garlic bread, or a fresh salad pair beautifully.
🏁 Conclusion
This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup captures everything you love about the classic restaurant soup—creamy broth, soft gnocchi, tender chicken, and rich comforting flavor. Each bowl is warm, soothing, and deeply satisfying. It’s the perfect recipe for busy nights, cozy weekends, or whenever you want a dish that feels homemade and special without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Serve it fresh with warm bread, enjoy the leftovers for lunch, or make a big batch for your family—this soup is guaranteed to become a beloved favorite. With its creamy texture, gentle herbs, and hearty ingredients, it’s comfort food at its very best.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup – Creamy, Cozy, and Loaded with Tender Chicken & Soft Gnocchi
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle thyme, oregano, pepper, and a pinch of salt into the pot. Stir to coat the vegetables.
- Add the flour and mix well until the vegetables are evenly coated. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring constantly. This prevents lumps and forms the base of the soup.
- Add the shredded chicken into the pot. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the potato gnocchi and let it cook for 3–4 minutes until it begins to float. Floating means it’s perfectly cooked.
- Pour in the milk or heavy cream. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low to avoid boiling the dairy.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt into the creamy broth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Once the soup is thick, creamy, and fragrant, turn off the heat. Serve warm with optional parmesan on top.
Notes
Refrigerator Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Freezer Because the soup contains dairy and gnocchi, freezing may slightly change the texture. If you freeze it, store for up to 2 months and reheat slowly. Reheating Stovetop: Heat on low, stirring frequently. Microwave: Heat for 1–2 minutes. If the soup thickens in the fridge, add a splash of broth or milk. 🥄 Variations Extra Creamy: Add ½ cup parmesan cheese. Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or use spicy chicken sausage. Low-Calorie: Replace cream with evaporated milk. Veggie-Loaded: Add mushrooms or zucchini. Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free gnocchi and swap flour for cornstarch. Protein Boost: Add extra shredded chicken. Herb-Forward: Add rosemary or basil for deeper flavor. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. What type of chicken works best? Shredded chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully. 2. Can I make this soup dairy-free? Yes—use coconut milk and cornstarch instead of flour. 3. Does gnocchi need to be cooked separately? No! Add it directly to the soup; it cooks perfectly in the broth. 4. Can I make this soup thicker? Increase the flour to ⅓ cup or simmer longer. 5. Can I make it in a slow cooker? Yes—add gnocchi only during the last 30 minutes. 6. Can I use frozen spinach? Absolutely. Use ½ cup frozen spinach and add directly to the soup. 7. Why is my soup too thick? Gnocchi absorbs broth. Add more milk or chicken broth to thin it. 8. Can I add cheese? Yes—parmesan adds a delicious savory flavor. 9. How do I avoid curdling the cream? Keep heat low after adding the dairy. 10. What can I serve with this soup? Breadsticks, garlic bread, or a fresh salad pair beautifully. 🏁 Conclusion This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup captures everything you love about the classic restaurant soup—creamy broth, soft gnocchi, tender chicken, and rich comforting flavor. Each bowl is warm, soothing, and deeply satisfying. It’s the perfect recipe for busy nights, cozy weekends, or whenever you want a dish that feels homemade and special without requiring hours in the kitchen. Serve it fresh with warm bread, enjoy the leftovers for lunch, or make a big batch for your family—this soup is guaranteed to become a beloved favorite. With its creamy texture, gentle herbs, and hearty ingredients, it’s comfort food at its very best.
