If you’ve ever craved that creamy, comforting bowl of Italian goodness from Olive Garden, you’re in for a treat with this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe. It’s rich, hearty, and bursting with flavors that will warm you up from the inside out—perfect for cozy nights or anytime you want a little taste of your favorite restaurant dish right at home.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Absolutely delicious and comforting: This soup is creamy with tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi, making every spoonful a warm hug.
Easy to make with simple ingredients: You probably have most of them on hand already, and they come together quickly!
Perfect for meal prep or family dinners: It’s filling enough to satisfy everyone, yet elegant enough to impress.
Customizable and adaptable: You can tweak the herbs or add veggies based on what you love or have available.
Ingredients & Substitutions
What makes this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe so incredible is how the simple ingredients work in harmony to create layers of flavor and texture. From tender chicken to creamy broth and fresh spinach, each element plays a star role.
- Olive oil: This is the base for sautéing your veggies, adding a lovely richness and depth of flavor.
- Carrots, celery, and onion: Classic soup aromatics that build a savory foundation and add texture.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the soup to that perfectly creamy consistency you crave.
- Garlic, oregano, and thyme: These herbs and spices elevate the taste, giving the soup a cozy herbal warmth.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Creating the flavorful liquid base without overpowering saltiness.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Tender and juicy, they soak up the broth’s goodness.
- Potato gnocchi: These soft dumplings are the ultimate comfort addition, absorbing flavors beautifully.
- Heavy cream: For that luscious, creamy texture that makes this soup unforgettable.
- Fresh spinach: Adds a pop of color and a gentle freshness to balance the richness.
How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, celery, and carrots, sautéing until the onions become translucent and veggies soften just a bit—about 3 to 4 minutes. This step builds the foundational flavors that make the soup so inviting.
Step 2: Add Herbs, Flour, and Broth
Next, toss in the flour, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly for a couple of minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and let the herbs bloom in the warmth. Then slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Once boiling, add the boneless skinless chicken breasts to the pot. Lower the heat to medium, cover, and let it cook for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. This infuses the broth with savory richness while keeping the chicken tender.
Step 4: Shred Chicken and Add Gnocchi
Remove the chicken breasts from the soup and slice or shred them into bite-sized pieces, whatever you prefer. Return the chicken to the pot and add the potato gnocchi. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until the gnocchi are soft and tender.
Step 5: Finish with Cream and Spinach
Stir in the heavy cream and roughly chopped fresh spinach, cooking just a couple more minutes until the spinach wilts perfectly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then ladle into bowls and get ready to dig in!
How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your soup even more, consider sprinkling some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper on top. A few sprigs of fresh thyme or a drizzle of good-quality olive oil can add an elegant touch that makes each bowl feel extra special.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or garlic breadsticks—you’ll want something to soak up every last drop of that creamy broth. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette can also balance the richness perfectly for a complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the soup in rustic bowls and garnish with vibrant greens or micro herbs for a restaurant-style presentation right at home. For a fun twist, consider topping with crispy prosciutto or even a sprinkle of chili flakes to add a subtle kick.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating, as the ingredients tend to settle.
Freezing
Because this soup contains cream and gnocchi, freezing is a bit tricky—it may change the texture after thawing. If you want to freeze, consider doing so before adding the cream and gnocchi, then add them fresh when reheating to preserve the soup’s best texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. If the soup is too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Avoid boiling after adding cream to keep the silky texture intact.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought cooked chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken works great—just add it towards the end when you add the gnocchi, so it warms through without overcooking.
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Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based creamer of your choice. Keep in mind the flavor and texture might differ slightly but it will still be delicious and creamy.
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What can I substitute if I don’t have potato gnocchi?
If you don’t have gnocchi on hand, small pasta shapes like mini shells, ditalini, or even tortellini can be used to keep a similar texture and heartiness in the soup.
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How do I prevent the soup from getting too thick after refrigerating?
The soup naturally thickens as it chills. Simply stir in a bit of chicken broth or water when reheating to bring it back to your preferred consistency.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a soul-soothing meal that’s bursting with flavor and feels like a warm embrace, this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is your answer. Easy to make, full of comforting ingredients, and utterly delicious—give it a try and watch it quickly become your go-to recipe for cozy nights and happy hearts.
Print
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting soup filled with tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a flavorful blend of herbs and vegetables. Perfect for a hearty lunch or cozy dinner, this recipe brings the taste of the beloved restaurant classic right to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Base Vegetables
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
Seasonings & Thickener
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
Soup Components
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté vegetables: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced celery, onion, and carrots and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions become translucent, creating a flavorful base for the soup.
- Add flour, herbs, and garlic: Stir in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 4 cloves of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons each of oregano and thyme, ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently, to eliminate the raw flour taste and build the soup’s body.
- Add broth and chicken: Pour in 8 cups of low sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts to the pot, then reduce the heat to medium.
- Simmer chicken: Cover the pot and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken breasts are fully cooked through and tender.
- Shred chicken and add gnocchi: Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and slice or shred it into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the pot along with 16 ounces of potato gnocchi.
- Cook gnocchi: Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the gnocchi are tender and cooked through.
- Finish with cream and spinach: Stir in ¾ cup heavy cream and 2 cups of roughly chopped fresh spinach. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the soup is creamy and flavorful.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve hot for a comforting homemade meal.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can add an extra tablespoon of flour during the sauté step.
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor, but frozen spinach can be substituted if needed.
- If preferred, shredded rotisserie chicken can be used instead of cooking raw chicken breasts.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- To make the soup dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative.
