Description
Copycat Olive Garden Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a rich, hearty, and comforting dish loaded with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, vibrant spinach, and a velvety broth. Inspired by Olive Garden’s restaurant favorite, this easy homemade version is perfect for cozy nights, family dinners, or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- ¼ cup butter (divided)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 ½ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 3 ½ cups milk
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 lb potato gnocchi
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
Optional Add-Ins:
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Diced tomatoes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Substitutions (Diet-Friendly Options):
- Gluten-free gnocchi
- Plant-based milk
- Vegetable broth
Instructions
- Cube chicken, dice onion, shred carrot, chop celery, and mince garlic.
- In a Dutch oven or stockpot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and sauté until cooked through (6–7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Melt remaining butter in the same pot. Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme; sauté for 3 minutes.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes while stirring.
- Gradually add chicken broth, milk, and cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in gnocchi, spinach, and cooked chicken. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until gnocchi is tender.
- Ladle into bowls and serve warm.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded carrots for better flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook the gnocchi it should stay pillowy and soft.
- Stir before serving to evenly distribute the chicken, spinach, and gnocchi.
- For extra richness, add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.
- To make vegetarian: substitute chicken with tofu or lentils and use vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 ½ cups)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg