Cozy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe Made Simple

Creamy, comforting soups have a magical way of wrapping you in warmth, especially when packed with tender chicken and soft gnocchi soup recipe from Olive Garden.

This restaurant-inspired delight brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen with surprising ease.

Rich, velvety broth mingles with delicate potato dumplings and succulent chicken pieces.

Spinach adds a fresh, vibrant touch to this hearty meal that feels like a culinary hug.

The combination of herbs and cream creates a luxurious texture that makes every spoonful incredibly satisfying.

Home cooks can recreate this beloved restaurant classic with simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Dive into this delectable soup that promises comfort in every single bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Total Time: 25-30 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 7

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredient Essentials

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Tender meat adds hearty protein and creates a satisfying base for the soup, choose fresh chicken with minimal moisture.
• Garlic: Brings robust, warm flavor and provides aromatic depth to the entire dish, select firm, plump cloves without green sprouts.
• Onion: Offers sweet, subtle foundation that enhances overall taste profile, pick firm white onions with smooth, tight skin.
• Celery: Contributes crisp texture and delicate herbal undertones, look for bright green stalks without blemishes.

• Chicken Broth: Creates foundational savory liquid, select low-sodium varieties for better flavor control.
• Half and Half: Delivers luxurious, velvety richness, opt for fresh, high-quality dairy for smoothest texture.

• Potato Gnocchi: Provides soft, pillowy carbohydrate element, choose vacuum-sealed or fresh varieties for best consistency.
• Carrots: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color, select bright orange, firm shredded carrots.
• Spinach: Introduces fresh, earthy green notes and nutritional value, pick crisp, deeply colored leaves.

• Olive Oil: Supports sautéing and adds subtle fruity undertone, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Thyme: Delivers subtle herbal complexity, use dried or fresh depending on availability.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasoning that balances and elevates all flavors, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Tools That Help Create Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Large pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the soup.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and chicken cutting.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Ideal for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Ladle: Great for serving the hot, creamy soup into bowls.

Directions for Cooking Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at Home

Comfort Kitchen: Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Delight

• Veggie Foundation

Grab a big pot and warm some olive oil. Toss in chopped celery, sweet onions, garlic, and carrots. Let these veggies dance and soften, releasing their aromatic magic for a few minutes until they become soft and slightly golden.

• Chicken and Broth Harmony

Drop in tender chicken pieces and pour in rich chicken broth. Sprinkle in some earthy thyme and a whisper of salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a gentle bubble, then carefully add soft potato gnocchi. Let everything simmer and mingle, allowing flavors to become best friends for about 10 minutes.

• Creamy Spinach Finale

Pour in silky half and half, creating a luxurious base. Fold in fresh green spinach leaves, watching them soften and turn bright emerald. The soup will transform into a velvety, comforting embrace that warms you from the inside out.

• Serving Secrets

Give your creation a final taste. Adjust seasonings if needed. Ladle into deep bowls and serve immediately. Each spoonful promises pure kitchen love and satisfaction.

Flavor Additions for Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Fans

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Gnocchi Texture Trick: For a perfectly tender gnocchi, avoid overcooking. Remove the pot from heat as soon as the gnocchi starts floating to the surface to prevent a mushy consistency.
• Protein Power Swap: Experiment with different proteins like shredded turkey, diced ham, or even crispy bacon to add a unique twist to the classic soup recipe.
• Veggie Boost Option: Enhance the nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced zucchini, chopped kale, or roasted bell peppers for more depth and color.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Replace half and half with coconut milk or a non-dairy cream alternative to create a lighter, lactose-free version of the soup that's equally delicious.
• Spice Level Upgrade: Kick up the flavor by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or a drizzle of hot sauce for those who enjoy a little extra heat in their comfort food.

Serving Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Warm and Creamy

• Comfort Corner Pairings: Grab a warm, crusty Italian bread to dip into the creamy soup, soaking up all those delicious flavors.
• Salad Symphony: Complement the rich soup with a crisp side salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the creamy texture and add freshness.
• Wine Whisper: Pair this hearty soup with a light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the meal's overall dining experience.
• Cozy Companion Plate: Serve alongside a small portion of grilled chicken Caesar salad for a complete and satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.

Store Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup for Cozy Leftovers

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve as they mingle overnight, making next-day lunch even more delicious.
• Freezing Friendly: Portion soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space at the top. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Pro tip: Separate cream-based portion before freezing to maintain perfect texture.
• Reheating Magic: Warm soup gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick. Microwave works in pinch, but stovetop maintains superior consistency.
• Smart Prep Strategy: Chop vegetables and cook chicken ahead of time. Keep ingredients separately refrigerated for quick assembly when soup craving hits. Gnocchi can be added last minute to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal soft texture.

Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup combines creamy comfort with hearty Italian-American flavors. Homemade gnocchi, tender chicken, and rich vegetables create a satisfying meal you can easily prepare in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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• 3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
• 16 oz (453 g) potato gnocchi
• 2 cups (480 ml) half and half
• 4 cups (960 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup (75 g) shredded carrots
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• ½ white onion, diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup (30 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Ignite olive oil in a capacious pot over medium heat. Tumble chopped celery, diced onions, minced garlic, and shredded carrots into the sizzling vessel. Choreograph vegetables until onions transform into translucent jewels, releasing their fragrant essence within 2-3 minutes.
2. Build Flavor Foundation: Introduce diced cooked chicken, low-sodium chicken broth, thyme, salt, and pepper into the vegetable medley. Coax the liquid to a gentle boil, creating a robust flavor canvas that promises depth and complexity.
3. Integrate Gnocchi and Simmer: Gently cascade potato gnocchi into the bubbling liquid, allowing them to dance and cook for 3-4 minutes while maintaining their pillowy integrity. Reduce heat and permit ingredients to intertwine, developing a harmonious flavor profile for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Finalize and Embellish: Cascade half and half into the soup, transforming the mixture into a silken masterpiece. Delicately fold fresh spinach leaves, watching them gracefully wilt and merge into the liquid landscape, adding vibrant color and nutritional richness.
5. Serve and Savor: Calibrate seasoning with strategic salt and pepper adjustments, ensuring a perfectly balanced taste experience. Ladle the velvety creation into waiting bowls, presenting a soul-warming culinary embrace that promises comfort and satisfaction.

Notes

• Sauté with Care: Gently cook vegetables until onions turn translucent to release maximum flavor without burning.
• Gnocchi Timing: Watch carefully during 3-4 minute cooking window to maintain perfect tender-soft texture without becoming mushy.
• Creamy Balance: Add half and half slowly to prevent curdling and ensure smooth, silky soup consistency.
• Seasoning Secret: Taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end for a perfectly balanced flavor profile that enhances all ingredients.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg