Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe

Olive Garden-style chicken gnocchi soup is creamy, comforting, and filled with tender chicken, potato gnocchi, spinach, celery, and carrots. This Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup copycat recipe gives beginners a straightforward homemade version with simple ingredients and clear steps.

The soup comes together in one pot and works well for lunch or dinner. Serve it with our Olive Garden breadsticks copycat recipe and a crisp salad for a complete restaurant-inspired meal.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe

This is an independent copycat-style recipe, not an official restaurant formula. The goal is to recreate the familiar combination of creamy broth, soft gnocchi, chicken, vegetables, and mild Italian-style seasoning.

Store-bought potato gnocchi keeps the recipe beginner-friendly. Fresh refrigerated gnocchi or shelf-stable packaged gnocchi both work, but cooking times may vary slightly.

Cooked rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut. You can also use leftover roasted or poached chicken as long as it is fully cooked before it goes into the soup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 medium carrot, shredded or finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
• 1 pound potato gnocchi
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Low-sodium broth is useful because chicken and Parmesan-style sides can already add salt to the meal. Taste near the end rather than salting heavily at the beginning.

Cook the Vegetables

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, celery, and carrot.
3. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables begin to soften.
4. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Do not rush this step. Softening the vegetables first creates a more balanced soup and keeps the onion from tasting raw.

Build the Creamy Soup Base

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked vegetables and stir for about 1 minute.

Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Add the milk, heavy cream, thyme, and Italian seasoning.

Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Stir often as it thickens slightly.

Avoid a hard boil once dairy is added. Gentle heat helps the soup stay smooth.

Add the Chicken and Gnocchi

Stir the cooked chicken into the soup and let it warm for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the gnocchi and simmer according to the package timing, usually about 3 to 5 minutes. The gnocchi should become tender and may float toward the surface when cooked.

Do not overcook the gnocchi. It can become overly soft and break apart if left simmering too long.

Finish With Spinach

Add the baby spinach during the final 1 to 2 minutes. Stir until the leaves wilt into the soup.

Taste and adjust with salt and black pepper. If the soup feels too thick, add a small amount of broth or milk.

If it feels too thin, simmer gently for a few extra minutes before serving.

How Thick Should the Soup Be?

Chicken gnocchi soup should be creamy and spoonable, not as thick as gravy. The flour and gnocchi both add body as the soup cooks.

Remember that the soup thickens as it cools. If it looks slightly thinner than you want while very hot, wait a few minutes before adding more flour or cream.

For a lighter soup, replace some of the heavy cream with milk. For a richer texture, keep the full cream amount and simmer gently until the broth coats the back of a spoon.

Can You Use Frozen Gnocchi?

Yes. Add frozen gnocchi directly to the simmering soup and follow the package cooking time.

You may need an extra minute or two compared with refrigerated gnocchi. Avoid thawing them into a wet bowl because excess moisture can dilute the soup.

What to Serve With Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Olive Garden breadsticks copycat recipe
• Olive Garden salad dressing copycat recipe
• Simple green salad
• Garlic bread
• Roasted vegetables
• Grilled chicken sandwich

Breadsticks are useful for dipping, while a crisp salad helps balance the richness of the soup.

Easy Variations

For more vegetables, add mushrooms, peas, or finely chopped zucchini.

For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the butter slightly.

If you prefer stronger herb flavor, add a small amount of extra thyme or Italian seasoning. Start lightly because dried herbs become more noticeable as the soup sits.

You can also use turkey instead of chicken for a good leftover-holiday variation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not add flour directly to hot liquid without first cooking it with the vegetables and fat. That can create lumps.

Avoid hard boiling after the cream is added. High heat can cause dairy to separate.

Do not overcook the gnocchi. Tender gnocchi can quickly turn mushy if left in simmering soup for too long.

Finally, add spinach near the end so it stays bright and tender.

Storage and Reheating

Cool leftovers promptly and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 to 4 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. Add a splash of milk or broth if the soup has thickened in the refrigerator.

The gnocchi will continue absorbing liquid in storage, so leftovers may be thicker than the fresh soup.

Freezing is not ideal because dairy can separate and gnocchi can become soft after thawing.

FAQs: Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe

Q. Is this the official Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup recipe?

A. No. This is an independent copycat-style recipe designed to create a similar creamy chicken and gnocchi soup at home.

Q. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

A. Yes. Remove the skin, shred or chop the meat, and add it after the soup base has thickened.

Q. Can I use frozen spinach?

A. Yes. Thaw and squeeze it dry first, then add a smaller amount because frozen spinach is more concentrated.

Q. Why did my soup get too thick?

A. The gnocchi and flour continue thickening the broth. Add warm broth or milk a little at a time until the consistency is right.

Conclusion

This Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup copycat recipe gives beginners an easy way to make creamy soup with chicken, gnocchi, spinach, carrots, celery, and mild herbs. Gentle heat, properly cooked gnocchi, and adding spinach near the end make the biggest difference.

Serve it with breadsticks and salad, then customize it with extra vegetables or lighter dairy if you prefer. Once you know the creamy soup base, the same method can support many chicken-and-vegetable soup variations.

Disclaimer: This homemade recipe is an independent copycat-style interpretation and is not an official Olive Garden recipe. Restaurant ingredients and preparation methods may differ. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat them safely.