Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

If you love restaurant-style comfort food, then Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is pure magic in a bowl. Creamy, rich, and packed with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, hearty vegetables, and plenty of spinach, this delightful soup brings the Italian-American restaurant experience right into your own kitchen. Whether you’re seeking a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing guests, the flavors and velvety texture are endlessly satisfying. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick to make—so you can enjoy it even on your busiest evenings.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home is incredibly easy, thanks to a handful of straightforward but crucial ingredients. Each element adds its own wonderful contribution, transforming simple kitchen staples into a creamy, flavorful masterpiece.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps start the soup base with a luscious, silky texture.
• Olive Oil: Gives depth and an aromatic touch, complementing the butter as you sauté your veggies.
• Yellow Onion: Brings sweet, mellow notes and build the soup’s flavor foundation.
• Celery: Delivers a subtle crispness and fresh, earthy character—don’t skip it!
• Garlic: Boosts the savory warmth and irresistible aroma, making each spoonful extra inviting.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the soup to that signature creamy consistency.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: The backbone of the soup, ensuring full-bodied flavor without overwhelming saltiness.
• Half-and-Half: Gives the soup its luxurious, creamy mouthfeel.
• Cooked Chicken Breast: To keep things easy, rotisserie works beautifully—just shred or dice.
• Carrots: Add delicate sweetness, a pop of color, and tender bites to every bowl.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends classic herbs that give the soup its familiar Italian-inspired flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the soup perfectly to your taste.
• Potato Gnocchi: The star of the show—soft, chewy, and a superb vehicle for soaking up the creamy broth.
• Fresh Spinach: Wilts into the soup at the end, providing a vibrant color and a boost of nutrients.

How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by melting butter and olive oil together over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Toss in your diced onion and chopped celery, then sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. These two vegetables are the flavorful base for your Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup, adding subtle sweetness and aroma as they soften.

Step 2: Add the Garlic and Make a Roux

When the onion and celery turn tender, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about a minute until fragrant—watch that it doesn’t brown! Sprinkle the flour over your softened veggies and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. This quick roux is the secret to that luxurious, thick texture everyone craves in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Step 3: Whisk in Broth and Build the Base

Slowly pour in your chicken broth while whisking steadily. This keeps the soup base silky smooth without any pesky lumps. When everything’s combined, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and keep stirring to blend in every bit of flavor.

Step 4: Add Cream, Chicken, Carrots, and Seasonings

Next, add the half-and-half, cooked chicken, carrots, and Italian seasoning. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Let it all bubble gently together for 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the carrots to begin softening. This is where your kitchen starts to smell like an Olive Garden dining room!

Step 5: Cook the Gnocchi

Add in the potato gnocchi straight from the package. Cook according to the instructions (usually just 2 to 3 minutes)—as soon as the gnocchi float to the top, they’re plump, tender, and ready to go. There’s nothing quite like scooping up a spoonful of this pillowy goodness in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Step 6: Wilt the Spinach and Serve

Finish with a couple of minutes of gentle simmering after stirring in the fresh spinach. Let it wilt just enough to turn vibrant green and silky. At this point, take a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Ladle your Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup into bowls while steaming hot and creamy!

How to Serve Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese elevates each bowl, melding perfectly with the creamy broth. Try a shower of cracked black pepper or a few fresh basil leaves for a restaurant-worthy finish. Chopped Italian parsley adds a pop of color and fresh aroma.

Side Dishes

This luscious soup begs for warm, crusty bread or homemade garlic breadsticks—perfect for swiping up the last drops from your bowl. A crisp green salad with zesty vinaigrette balances the richness beautifully, making it a complete Olive Garden-style experience right at home.

Creative Ways to Present

For an extra-special touch, serve your Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup in rustic bread bowls. Or, portion into small mugs for an inviting appetizer at a dinner party. Mini Parmesan crisps perched atop each serving make for crunchy, cheesy flair that always impresses.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (trust me, it’s gold!), cool the soup completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days, though the gnocchi may absorb more broth and soften further—still delicious.

Freezing

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it with some modifications. If planning to freeze, make the soup without the gnocchi and spinach and add those when you reheat. The base stores beautifully in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk if it needs loosening. If your soup was frozen without gnocchi or spinach, stir them in toward the end of reheating so they stay perfectly textured and appealing.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that works beautifully in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Just shred or dice it before adding—the flavor and convenience can’t be beat.

What kind of gnocchi should I buy?

Look for potato gnocchi in the pasta or refrigerated section of your grocery store. Shelf-stable, fresh, or even homemade gnocchi all work, as long as you cook them until tender and floating during the soup-making process.

Can I make this soup gluten free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free gnocchi. The rest of the ingredients in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup are naturally gluten free, so it’s an easy adaptation.

Can I add other vegetables?

Go for it! Mushrooms, peas, diced zucchini, or even a handful of corn can all mingle beautifully in this soup. Have fun making Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup your own by mixing in your family’s favorites.

How do I make it extra creamy?

If you’re after a richer feel, swap in some heavy cream for part of the half-and-half, or add a bit more flour to thicken. Don’t forget to adjust your salt since extra cream can mellow the soup’s flavor a bit.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend trying Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home enough—it’s soothing, crowd-pleasing, and tastes incredibly close to the restaurant original. There’s something cozy and celebratory about each bite. Give it a whirl in your kitchen and let it become a new favorite in your recipe rotation!

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