Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of olive garden chicken gnocchi soup that warms every corner of your soul.

Creamy textures and hearty ingredients dance together in this beloved Italian-inspired classic.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients blend into something extraordinary.

Rich potato dumplings float alongside tender chicken pieces in a velvety broth.

Herbs and spices whisper stories of traditional kitchen magic.

Weeknight dinners become special moments with this delightful soup.

You’ll fall in love with every spoonful of this restaurant-quality recipe waiting to grace your table.

What Makes Chicken Gnocchi Soup Comforting

• Whip Up Restaurant-Quality Comfort: Recreate the beloved Olive Garden soup right in your kitchen, bringing gourmet flavors without leaving home.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like using rotisserie chicken or adding different vegetables to match your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a hearty, creamy soup in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and minimal cooking skills required.
• Crowd-Pleasing Nutrition: Pack a single pot with protein from chicken, vitamins from vegetables, and satisfying carbs from gnocchi for a balanced meal everyone will love.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredient Guide

• Chicken: Tender, shredded meat that provides protein and hearty flavor to the soup.
• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that add a comforting and filling element to the dish.
• Spinach: Fresh leafy green that brings nutrition and a vibrant color to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic, Celery, Carrots: Classic vegetable base that creates a rich and flavorful foundation for the soup.

• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory and liquid base for the soup.
• Heavy Cream, Milk: Creamy ingredients that add richness and smooth texture to the soup.

• Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Essential herbs and spices that enhance the overall taste of the soup.

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the vegetables and start the soup's flavor development.

Cooking Olive Garden Style Gnocchi Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

• Onion
• Garlic
• Celery
• Carrots

Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Create Luxurious Soup Base

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Milk

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble softly for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Add Protein and Herbs

• Cooked and shredded chicken
• Thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Allow everything to mingle and cook for 10 minutes, developing deep flavors.

Step 4: Cook Fluffy Gnocchi

Drop the soft potato dumplings into the simmering soup.

Cook until they float to the surface, typically 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Finish with Fresh Greens

Toss in fresh spinach and stir until it wilts completely.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed for perfect balance.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the comforting, restaurant-style meal you’ve created.

Tips for Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Dice onions, garlic, celery, and carrots into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
• Adjust the ratio of heavy cream and milk to achieve your preferred soup thickness, adding more milk for a lighter texture.
• Use rotisserie chicken or season homemade shredded chicken with extra herbs for a more robust taste profile.
• Choose store-bought or fresh gnocchi that's firm and holds its shape well during cooking to prevent disintegration in the soup.
• Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different nutritional boost and slightly varied taste experience.

Gnocchi Soup Variations and Add-ins

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Soup: Replace chicken with white beans or tofu cubes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular gnocchi with gluten-free potato gnocchi, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of heavy cream, substitute with dairy-free cream alternative for creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Swap: Replace gnocchi with cauliflower gnocchi or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content, maintain similar soup consistency.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Serving Ideas

• Cozy Dinner Companion: Pair this hearty soup with a crisp garden salad and warm garlic breadsticks for a complete meal that feels like a restaurant experience at home.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or romano cheese on top just before serving to add a rich, salty dimension that complements the creamy soup perfectly.
• Herb Garnish Delight: Finish with a light dusting of fresh chopped parsley or basil to brighten the flavors and add a pop of color to the comforting soup.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Serve alongside a glass of crisp white wine like pinot grigio or chardonnay to elevate the soup's creamy texture and enhance the overall dining experience.

How to Store Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freezes well for up to 3 months.
• Transfer portion to microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Stop when soup reaches steaming temperature.
• Pour soup into saucepan, add splash of chicken broth to prevent thickening. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Add extra cream if needed to restore original consistency.

FAQs

• Is gnocchi the same as pasta?

No, gnocchi are soft dough dumplings typically made from potatoes, flour, and eggs. They have a different texture and consistency compared to traditional pasta.

• Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen mixed vegetables work well as a substitute if you don’t have fresh vegetables on hand. Just thaw and drain them before adding to the soup.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken are excellent choices. They provide tender, pre-cooked meat that easily shreds and adds great flavor to the soup.

• How can I make this soup healthier?

Use low-fat milk and cream, add more vegetables like kale or zucchini, and use reduced-sodium chicken broth to create a lighter version of the soup.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens, blending creamy textures with hearty ingredients. Warm, delicious spoonfuls invite home cooks to savor restaurant-quality flavors without leaving their kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
• 16 oz potato gnocchi
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup carrots, grated or diced

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a substantial pot over medium-high temperature, gently transforming chopped onions, minced garlic, diced celery, and sliced carrots into tender, translucent vegetables.
2. Pour chicken broth, heavy cream, and milk into the vegetable mixture, allowing the liquid to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
3. Introduce shredded chicken, fresh thyme, kosher salt, and ground black pepper, allowing the ingredients to integrate and develop rich, harmonious flavors for 10 minutes.
4. Carefully fold gnocchi into the simmering soup, cooking until the dumplings rise to the surface and become pillowy soft, typically 2-3 minutes.
5. Gradually incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and transform from vibrant green to a deeper, softer shade, releasing their subtle earthy essence.
6. Taste the soup and fine-tune seasonings, ensuring a balanced and robust flavor profile that captures the essence of comfort and warmth.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into individual serving bowls, presenting a rustic, hearty dish reminiscent of Olive Garden’s classic comfort cuisine.

Notes

• Customize spinach by swapping with kale or Swiss chard for different nutrient profiles and flavor variations.
• Reduce calories by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream or substitute with unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version.
• Boost protein content by adding extra shredded rotisserie chicken or incorporating white beans for vegetarian protein options.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and minimize kitchen time, ensuring quicker meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg