Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

There’s something about a steaming bowl of creamy, hearty soup that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day — and when it’s inspired by Olive Garden’s beloved Chicken Gnocchi Soup, comfort reaches a whole new level.

This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the kind of recipe that turns a simple dinner into a soothing experience. It’s filled with tender shredded chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, and a medley of aromatic vegetables, all enveloped in a silky, creamy broth. The gentle flavors of thyme, basil, and garlic come together to create a balanced, savory base that’s both filling and irresistible.

Whether you’re serving it as a weeknight family dinner, a meal prep favorite, or as a restaurant-style treat at home, this copycat version brings the Olive Garden magic right to your kitchen — no reservation needed.

💛 The Inspiration Behind This Soup

Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup has long been one of the restaurant’s most iconic comfort dishes — creamy, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying. It’s the perfect balance of Italian homestyle flavors and simple ingredients that create a luxuriously rich texture without being heavy.

What makes this soup so special is its combination of gnocchi — those soft, doughy potato dumplings — with tender pieces of chicken and garden-fresh vegetables. It’s rustic and elegant at once, and surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

This homemade version captures all the flavor and comfort of the original, but with the bonus of being fresher, customizable, and budget-friendly. It’s perfect for when you’re craving restaurant-quality food that warms you from the inside out.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Restaurant Flavor: Tastes just like the Olive Garden favorite — creamy, hearty, and full of cozy Italian goodness.
• One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze.
• Ready in 45 Minutes: Ideal for busy weeknights when you want something quick yet comforting.
• Balanced Comfort: Creamy and rich, but not overly heavy — you’ll want seconds!
• Perfectly Customizable: Easily make it lighter, gluten-free, or even vegetarian.
• Crowd Favorite: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults alike.

🧂 Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s exactly what you’ll need to make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup, grouped for clarity.

Yield: 6 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: ~350 kcal per serving

🥕 Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced

🌿 Herbs & Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

🍗 Protein & Broth

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

🍠 Gnocchi & Creamy Base

• 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream

🧀 Optional Garnish

• grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

🍳 Tools & Equipment Needed

Keep things simple with these essential tools:

• 1 large pot – for simmering the soup
• 1 wooden spoon – for stirring without scratching the pot
• 1 cutting board – for prepping veggies and chicken
• 1 set measuring cups and spoons – for precise seasoning

That’s it — minimal tools, maximum comfort.

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these clear, foolproof steps to make your own Olive Garden–style Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home.

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant. This step lays the flavor foundation for your soup.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Herbs

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes aromatic — just be careful not to brown it.
Next, add the dried thyme and basil, letting the herbs bloom in the oil to release their flavors.

Step 3: Build the Broth

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the pot to a boil.
The bubbling broth helps marry the herbs with the vegetables, creating a beautifully seasoned base.

Step 4: Add Chicken and Gnocchi

Once the broth is boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the shredded chicken and gnocchi. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the top — a sign they’re perfectly tender and cooked through.

Step 5: Finish with Spinach and Cream

Add the fresh spinach and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the soup thickens slightly.

Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or homemade breadsticks for the full Olive Garden experience!

🧄 Chef’s Notes & Pro Tips

• Boost the Flavor: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for subtle heat.
• Thicker Soup: Want a creamier texture? Reduce the chicken broth slightly or add an extra splash of heavy cream.
• Cooked Chicken Options: Use rotisserie chicken for convenience — it’s flavorful and saves time.
• Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi: Once they float, they’re ready! Overcooking can make them too soft.
• Fresh Spinach Substitute: Baby kale works beautifully if you’re out of spinach.

🍽️ Flavor Profile & Pairings

This soup is a harmonious balance of creamy, savory, and herbaceous flavors. The thyme and basil bring subtle earthiness, the chicken adds comforting heartiness, and the gnocchi lend that pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that keeps you coming back for more.

Flavor Highlights:

• Creamy and smooth from the heavy cream
• Slightly sweet from the carrots and onions
• Earthy and aromatic from thyme and basil
• Comforting and rich from the chicken and gnocchi

Pairing Ideas:

• Drinks: Pair with a crisp Pinot Grigio, buttery Chardonnay, or refreshing sparkling water with lemon.
• Sides: Serve with garlic breadsticks, Caesar salad, or roasted asparagus.
• Dessert: End with Tiramisu or Lemon Panna Cotta for an Italian-inspired meal.

🧮 Nutritional Overview (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	350 kcal
Protein	22 g
Carbohydrates	28 g
Fat	15 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	Moderate (varies by broth used)

Dietary Notes:

• Contains gluten (from gnocchi).
• Contains dairy (heavy cream).
• Can be adapted to be gluten-free or dairy-free (see below).

🥬 Tips & Variations

✅ Make It Gluten-Free

Use gluten-free gnocchi (widely available in stores) and confirm your chicken broth is certified gluten-free.

✅ Make It Dairy-Free

Swap the heavy cream with coconut cream or unsweetened almond milk plus 1 tablespoon of flour to maintain creaminess.

✅ Add More Veggies

Enhance nutrition with zucchini, mushrooms, or peas — they blend seamlessly with the existing flavors.

✅ Vegetarian Option

Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth with chickpeas or cannellini beans for plant-based protein.

✅ Spice It Up

For those who love a kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil before serving.

🕒 Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Step	Time	Description
Prep Vegetables	10 min	Dice onion, carrots, celery
Sauté & Season	5 min	Sauté aromatics, add herbs
Add Broth & Chicken	10 min	Simmer for flavor
Cook Gnocchi	7 min	Until tender and floating
Add Cream & Spinach	3 min	Finish the soup
Total Time	45 min	Comfort food perfection

🧊 Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

This soup reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day — as the flavors meld together overnight.

🍲 Make-Ahead Options:

• Cooked Chicken: Prepare and shred chicken up to 2 days in advance.
• Pre-Chopped Veggies: Dice onion, carrots, and celery ahead of time and refrigerate in airtight containers.
• Gnocchi: Keep uncooked until the day of serving for best texture.

🧊 Storage:

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: This soup can be frozen for up to 2 months — though the cream may slightly separate upon thawing.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of broth or cream to restore texture.

❓ FAQs

Q1: Can I use homemade gnocchi?
Absolutely! Homemade gnocchi will make your soup even more special — just be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking them apart.

Q2: How can I thicken the soup without cream?
Use a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water) or puree a small portion of the soup and stir it back in.

Q3: What’s the best way to cook the chicken for this recipe?
You can use poached, baked, or rotisserie chicken. Just ensure it’s tender and shredded for the best texture.

Q4: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Add all ingredients except spinach, cream, and gnocchi to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours, then stir in the remaining ingredients for the last 15–20 minutes.

Q5: Is this soup kid-friendly?
Very! It’s creamy, mild, and full of soft textures that kids love.

🥔 Ingredient Spotlight: Gnocchi

Gnocchi — pronounced NYOH-kee — are Italian dumplings traditionally made with potatoes, flour, and eggs.

Texture: Soft, chewy, and pillow-like, they absorb the flavors of creamy broths beautifully.
Buying Tips: Look for shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi made from real potato for the best texture.
Storage: Keep unopened packages in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate once opened and use within a few days.
Enhance It: For a gourmet touch, lightly pan-fry the gnocchi before adding them to the soup for a subtle crisp edge.

🔥 Pro Cooking Tips

• Use Fresh Herbs: If available, replace dried basil or thyme with fresh ones for brighter flavor (3x the amount).
• Layer the Seasoning: Taste and season at every stage — soup building is about gradual flavor development.
• Cream Last: Always add cream toward the end to prevent curdling.
• Don’t Boil After Adding Cream: Gentle simmering ensures a smooth texture.
• Add Spinach Right Before Serving: Keeps it vibrant and tender.

🧊 Storage & Freezing Guide

Refrigeration:
Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers. Keeps well for up to 3 days.

Freezing:
If you plan to freeze it, omit the gnocchi and cream until reheating — this prevents textural changes. Add them fresh when reheating.

Reheating:
Warm slowly on the stovetop, stirring gently. Avoid microwaving on high, as it can split the cream.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve in deep bowls with a sprinkle of Parmesan and crusty breadsticks on the side.
• For a full Olive Garden–style dinner, start with a simple green salad and finish with Chocolate Mousse Cake.
• Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a dash of freshly cracked pepper for a final flavor lift.

🔄 Recipe Variations

1. Bacon Lovers’ Twist: Add crisp bacon bits for smoky depth.
2. Lemon Herb Gnocchi Soup: Add a splash of lemon juice and zest for brightness.
3. Mushroom Gnocchi Soup: Replace chicken with sautéed mushrooms for an earthy vegetarian version.
4. Tuscan-Inspired Version: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and kale for a rustic Italian twist.

🧾 Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	Daily Value*
Calories	350 kcal	17%
Protein	22 g	44%
Carbs	28 g	9%
Fat	15 g	19%
Fiber	3 g	10%
Sugar	4 g	5%
Sodium	Moderate	—

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

💬 Conclusion

If comfort could be served in a bowl, it would look (and taste) exactly like this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Creamy, cozy, and soul-warming, this recipe proves that simple ingredients can create restaurant-quality results right at home.

From the tender shredded chicken to the soft gnocchi and rich, herby broth, every spoonful is pure satisfaction. It’s perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or when you simply want to wrap yourself in comfort food bliss.

So grab your favorite pot, cozy up with a bowl, and savor the homemade goodness of Olive Garden — without leaving your kitchen. 🍲💛

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