Homestyle Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Rich, creamy olive garden chicken gnocchi soup warms the soul on chilly evenings.

Cold nights call for comfort in a bowl with tender chunks of chicken and pillowy potato dumplings.

This restaurant-inspired recipe brings restaurant flavors straight to your kitchen.

Each spoonful promises a delightful blend of herbs, vegetables, and velvety broth.

The secret lies in creating a smooth, indulgent base that hugs every ingredient.

Homemade gnocchi elevates this soup from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll love how simple ingredients combine into a restaurant-quality meal that satisfies deep hunger and warms from within.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 363 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes In Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Butter: Adds rich, creamy depth and helps develop flavor foundations.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking surface and subtle earthy undertones.
• Onion: Delivers sweet, aromatic base notes that enhance overall soup complexity.
• Celery: Introduces delicate herbal freshness and crisp texture to the soup.
• Garlic: Contributes intense, zesty flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates smooth thickening agent for velvety soup consistency.

• Half-and-Half: Generates luxurious creaminess and silky texture.
• Chicken Broth: Builds robust, savory background flavor profile.
• Dried Thyme: Offers delicate herbal warmth and traditional Mediterranean essence.
• Dried Parsley Flakes: Introduces mild, fresh herbaceous notes.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides subtle, warming spice undertones.
• Shredded Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color.

• Cooked Diced Chicken: Delivers lean protein and hearty substance.
• Potato Gnocchi: Creates soft, pillowy texture and comforting element.
• Fresh Spinach: Brings bright green color and nutritional boost.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor complexity.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle, warming spiciness.

Tools To Prep Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Large pot: Essential for cooking and combining all soup ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending half-and-half and chicken broth.
• Cutting board: Helps chop vegetables and chicken with ease.
• Sharp knife: Needed for dicing onions, celery, and chicken.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and sautéing ingredients.

Steps To Make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Creamy

• Kick Off the Flavor Base

Warm up a large pot and blend butter with olive oil. Toss in diced onion, celery, and minced garlic. Let them dance and soften until onions become translucent and dreamy.

• Build a Creamy Foundation

Sprinkle flour into the veggie mix and stir quickly to eliminate any raw flour hints. Pour in half-and-half and chicken broth, whisking until the liquid transforms into a silky smooth mixture.

• Infuse with Aromatic Touches

Shower the soup with dried thyme, parsley flakes, and a whisper of nutmeg. Toss in shredded carrots for color and sweetness. Bring the concoction to a gentle bubble, then dial down the heat to a calm simmer.

• Welcome Protein and Pillowy Gnocchi

Drop in pre-cooked chicken pieces and soft potato gnocchi. Let them mingle and cook until the gnocchi reach perfect tenderness, about 3-5 minutes.

• Final Green Flourish

Tumble fresh spinach into the pot, watching it wilt and add vibrant color. Season with salt and pepper to your heart’s content. Ladle into waiting bowls and serve piping hot, ready to comfort and delight.

Tasty Add-Ins For Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Creamy Texture Secret: Whisk the half-and-half and broth slowly to prevent curdling and ensure a silky-smooth soup base.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the soup a day in advance and reheat gently, as the flavors deepen and become more robust overnight.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the soup celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
• Veggie Swap Delight: Replace chicken with white beans or roasted vegetables for a delicious vegetarian version that's equally hearty and satisfying.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for those who enjoy a subtle kick of heat in their creamy soup.

Ways To Serve Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Cozy Bread Companion: Slice a crusty Italian bread or garlic toast on the side to dip into the creamy soup, soaking up all those delicious flavors.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair the soup with a crisp garden salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy texture of the gnocchi soup.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the soup with extra shredded rotisserie chicken or crispy bacon bits for added protein and a delightful crunch.
• Wine Harmony: Serve alongside a glass of light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the soup's creamy profile.

Storing Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup For Later

• Quick Chill Method: Transfer leftover soup to shallow containers, allowing it to cool rapidly at room temperature for no more than 2 hours before refrigerating to maintain food safety.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the soup in airtight containers and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Gnocchi might absorb more liquid, so you may need to add extra broth when reheating.
• Freezing Wisdom: Freeze soup without spinach for best texture. Place in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Frozen soup stays delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm soup slowly on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick. Avoid boiling to prevent gnocchi from becoming mushy. Microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals for even heating.

Hearty Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Olive garden chicken gnocchi soup delivers creamy comfort with tender gnocchi and savory chicken in a rich broth. Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant favorite with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (16 oz/454 g) package potato gnocchi
• 1 cup cooked, diced chicken breast
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup diced white onion
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup diced celery
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 2 tsps minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, then add onion, celery, and garlic, cooking until onions turn translucent and release their fragrant essence.
2. Create Roux: Sprinkle flour into the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to eliminate raw flour notes and establish a smooth foundation for the soup’s texture.
3. Build Liquid Layers: Gradually whisk in half-and-half and chicken broth, ensuring a smooth, velvety liquid develops without lumps or separation.
4. Develop Flavor Profile: Incorporate dried thyme, parsley flakes, ground nutmeg, and shredded carrots, raising heat momentarily to activate the aromatic components.
5. Integrate Proteins: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, folding in pre-cooked diced chicken and potato gnocchi, allowing them to harmonize within the creamy liquid.
6. Final Touches: Add fresh spinach leaves, letting them delicately wilt into the soup, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to balance and enhance the overall taste.
7. Serve: Ladle the rich, comforting soup into bowls, presenting a warm and inviting culinary creation ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Master Flour Technique: Prevent clumping by gradually sprinkling flour and continuously whisking to create a smooth, lump-free base for creamy texture.
• Control Simmering Temperature: Keep heat low and steady to prevent half-and-half from separating or scorching, maintaining a silky soup consistency.
• Optimize Gnocchi Tenderness: Add pre-cooked gnocchi during final minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain their delicate, pillowy texture.
• Enhance Dietary Flexibility: Substitute half-and-half with lighter alternatives like almond milk or coconut cream for lactose-free or lower-calorie version, ensuring similar creamy richness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 363
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 630 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg