Craving that creamy, comforting soup you can’t resist at Olive Garden? This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe hits all the same notes with its velvety broth, tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a blend of herbs that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Table of Contents
What Is Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?
This soup is the ultimate comfort food! It starts with a rich chicken broth base infused with garlic, thyme, and oregano to create a foundation of warming, savory flavors. The hearty mix of chicken, gnocchi, fresh spinach, and carrots creates the perfect balance between creamy heartiness and fresh flavor. It’s no surprise this soup is one of Olive Garden’s most beloved dishes — it checks all the boxes!
Unlike many creamy soups that feel too heavy, this one is lightened with just the right amount of cream to keep it luscious but not overwhelmingly rich. The potato gnocchi adds an amazing, satisfying texture and makes it a meal all on its own. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this soup is bound to become a go-to favorite!
(Love copycat recipes? Try our copycat Olive Garden paste e fagioli, too!)
Ingredients You Need
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Cooking chicken directly in the broth keeps it tender and infuses the soup with tons of flavor.
- Celery – This veggie adds a subtle crunch and fresh notes to balance the creamy broth.
- White Onion – Dicing the onion small ensures it can be seamlessly incorporated into the soup, enhancing the base with sweet, savory flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour – We use flour to help thicken the soup, creating that velvety texture that everyone loves.
- Sea Salt – This enhances all the other flavors — don’t skip it! Taste and adjust to your preference throughout the cooking process.
- Ground Black Pepper – Pepper adds just the right touch of warmth to every spoonful.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is key to the soup’s fragrant and savory undertone.
- Carrots – Sweet carrots add a pop of color and a natural sweetness to complement the other veggies.
- Olive Oil – This oil is perfect for sauteeing your vegetables and developing the foundation of the soup’s flavor.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth – Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness of the soup.
- Thyme – This herb offers subtle earthiness and pairs beautifully with chicken.
- Oregano – Oregano adds robust, aromatic undertones and ties the flavors together.
- Potato Gnocchi – These soft dumplings add an oh-so-satisfying texture and make the soup feel absolutely indulgent.
- Heavy Cream – Stirring in cream gives the soup its luxurious, silky finish.
- Fresh Spinach – This bright leafy green adds freshness and a burst of color.
How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Saute the vegetables. Add celery, onions, and carrots, to a large pot that’s been heated and drizzled with olive oil. Cook until the onions are softened and fragrant.
- Cook the spices. Stir in the flour, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook briefly to eliminate the raw taste of the flour.
- Build the broth. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Add the chicken and lower the heat to simmer gently, letting the chicken cook through.
- Shred the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot, shred it using two forks, and return it to the broth along with the gnocchi. Simmer for a few minutes until the gnocchi is tender.
- Finish the soup. Add the heavy cream and spinach and allow the spinach to wilt slightly. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot.
Variations
- Kale – Kale holds up well in soups and adds even more texture.
- Try Gluten-Free Gnocchi – This is a great option for those avoiding gluten. Just double-check your flour, too!
- Bacon or Pancetta – Crumbled bacon or pancetta adds a smoky, savory element to the dish.
- Spice – A pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne gives the soup a kick of heat.
- Mushrooms – Saute some sliced mushrooms with the veggies for an earthy twist.
- Vegetarian – Swap the chicken for white beans and use vegetable broth to make a hearty, plant-based version.
Can I Store Leftovers?
This soup stores beautifully! However, keep in mind that gnocchi can become a bit softer when reheated.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
To freeze, leave out the gnocchi until reheating to maintain its texture. When ready to serve, thaw the soup and cook with fresh gnocchi before enjoying.
Common Questions about Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Store-bought potato gnocchi work perfectly fine here – look for shelf-stable ones in the pasta aisle! Fresh gnocchi are amazing too, but they’re more fragile and can fall apart more easily in the soup.
We love using fresh chicken so that it imparts flavor while cooking. However, rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver!
Gnocchi release starch as they cook, naturally thickening the soup! If it gets too thick, simply stir in some warm chicken broth or cream until you reach your desired consistency.
We haven’t experimented with this but it can likely be done. Just add the gnocchi, spinach, and cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking! This prevents the gnocchi from getting overly soft and should keep the spinach bright green.
More Savory Soup Recipes
If you’re looking for more ways to warm up from the inside, these easy and delicious soups have you covered!
Cannellini Bean Soup with Vegetables
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 small white onion diced
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon sea salt more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper more to taste
- 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 16 ounces potato gnocchi
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Add celery, onions, and carrots and saute for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.1 cup celery, 1 small white onion, 1 cup diced carrots
- Add all purpose flour, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and thyme, and saute for an additional 2 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil, then add the raw chicken, and reduce heat to medium.2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, 4 cloves minced garlic, 8 cups low sodium chicken broth, 2 teaspoon thyme, 2 teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.
- Remove the chicken and slice or shred. Add the chicken back in a long with the gnocchi.16 ounces potato gnocchi
- Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer for 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and spinach and cook another 1-2 minutes until spinach is tender.3/4 cup heavy cream, 2 cups fresh spinach
- Taste, add salt and pepper, and serve.salt and pepper
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My new favorite soup!