Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting bowl filled with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach. It’s flavorful and easy to make, perfect for cozy dinners any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried basil; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful bits.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to a simmer and add shredded chicken and gnocchi. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the surface.
5. Step 5: Stir in fresh spinach and heavy cream; simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
6. Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use homemade gnocchi or substitute with potato dumplings for a different texture.
• Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter soup.
• For extra vegetables, stir in chopped mushrooms or zucchini during the sauté step.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to prevent the cream from curdling. This soup is best enjoyed fresh as gnocchi can become soft after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this soup?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and adds great flavor while saving time.

Can I freeze Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

Freezing is not recommended because the cream and gnocchi may separate or become mushy once thawed.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 89 reviews

This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a deliciously creamy and hearty soup packed with tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a flavorful blend of herbs in a rich chicken broth. Perfect for cozy dinners, this homemade version brings comforting Italian flavors to your table in just about 30 minutes.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Base

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 6 cups chicken broth

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream

Seasoning & Garnish

• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
2. Add garlic and herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried basil. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
3. Add chicken broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits to enhance the flavor.
4. Simmer with chicken and gnocchi: Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the shredded cooked chicken and gnocchi. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the gnocchi float to the surface, indicating they are done.
5. Incorporate spinach and cream: Stir in the fresh spinach and heavy cream, letting the soup simmer an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the soup is heated through.
6. Season and serve: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot for a comforting meal.

Notes

• You can substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs if available; use 1 tablespoon fresh thyme and basil as a replacement.
• Shredded rotisserie chicken works well to save time.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream, though the soup will be less creamy.
• Gnocchi are delicate; stir gently when cooking to prevent breaking.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Keywords: Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Olive Garden copycat soup, creamy chicken soup, Italian soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe