This creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is just as delicious, if not better, than the Olive Garden version. Ready in under 30 minutes- making this the perfect weeknight recipe.
Make it a full meal by serving garlic knots and an Italian chopped salad!
Recipe Features
- 30-minute recipe: This recipe can be ready in UNDER 30 minutes. That means you have a filling delicious soup ready in a snap.
- Freezer Friendly: This serves 4 people, but you can easily double it and freeze for later.
- Best Copycat Recipe: We like this BETTER than the Olive Garden version. It doesn’t have celery, but is loaded with rich and creamy flavor.
One of the top recipes at the Italian food chain is their Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup, and for good reason. This soup is loaded with delicious flavor thanks to the chicken, gnocchi, and rich cream. It checks all of the boxes as far as a family recipe and is kid approved!
It only made sense we would make our own version. I tested this recipe on my picky 13 year old and he quickly gave it 5 stars. He even went as far to say that it is BETTER than Olive Garden. It took me under 30 minutes to make is a super simple one-pot recipe- placing this firmly in our regular recipe rotation.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients list for this gnocchi soup is fairly standard. There are just a few ingredients, and substitutions, I want to go over before we get started. For a full recipe list, and measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Cream: Heavy cream is one of the ingredients that really adds a nice richness to this recipe. Another option is to substitute the milk and cream for half and half. You’ll have a similar creaminess to the milk/cream combination.
- Chicken Broth: I use Better Than Bouillon. It gives you a bolder flavor and has reduced sodium, which leaves you in charge of the seasoning.
- Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is essentially a blend of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. You could easily make your own, or use a blend of your favorite Italian spices.
- Chicken: This recipe is PERFECT for using up leftovers. Toss in some cooked chicken from previous dinners or rotisserie for a quicker prep.
- Gnocchi: Traditional potato gnocchi is found next to the other pastas in most grocery stores.
How to make the Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
- Heat the oil to a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and carrot and saute until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook one additional minute.
- Push the cooked vegetables to the side of the pot.
- Add the butter to the side that is clear of vegetables and allow to melt.
- Whisk the flour in with the butter. It’s ok if some of the vegetables mix in.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, cream, and chicken broth, being sure to whisk constantly to evenly mix the flour.
- Heat over medium heat until simmering and slightly thicker, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, spinach, chicken, and gnocchi.
- Bring to a boil and cook an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve with a generous helping of Parmesan.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Crockpot
To make this in the slow cooker follow these instructions, although we prefer the stovetop method- which takes under 30 minutes!
- Make the recipe as stated through adding the flour.
- Transfer the ingredients to a slow cooker.
- Add the chicken, chicken broth, milk and seasonings.
- Cook on low for 2 to 4 hours.
- Just before serving, add the cream, spinach, and gnocchi.
- Cook an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
A lot of people ask if you can freeze gnocchi soup. The answer is YES. It actually freezes extremely well. Allow the soup to cool completely and transfer to a freezer safe container.
When ready to eat, simply let the soup thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Heat in the microwave, or stovetop, until heated through.
If stored properly, in an airtight container, this soup will last 3 to 4 days. Although we always eat it before then.
Gnocchi can be found in the pasta aisle of most grocers. Look next to the dried pastas, typically on the top shelf of Kroger.
Yes, but I don’t recommend it. Cooking this recipe in the slow cooker adds more work and time. Stovetop has this soup ready in just about 20 minutes.
See notes above for slow cooker instructions.
More Soup Recipes to Try
- Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe
- Homemade Tomato Soup
- Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup
- Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Slow Cooker Taco Soup
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup
More Delicious Copycat Recipes
- Zupas Strawberry Harvest Salad
- Buffalo Wild Wings Asian Zing Sauce
- Chili’s Skillet Queso
- Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
- Sizzler Malibu Chicken
- Krispy Kreme Donuts
- Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap
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Copycat Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup
This creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is just as delicious, if not better, than the Olive Garden version. Ready in under 30 minutes- making this the perfect weeknight recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1-3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1 cup cooked chopped chicken
- 8 oz gnocchi
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil to a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and carrot and saute until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook one additional minute.
- Push the cooked vegetables to the side of the pot.
- Add the butter to the side that is clear of vegetables and allow to melt.
- Whisk the flour in with the butter. It’s ok if some of the vegetables mix in.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, cream, and chicken broth, being sure to whisk constantly to evenly mix the flour.
- Heat over medium heat until simmering and slightly thicker, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, spinach, chicken, and gnocchi.
- Bring to a boil and cook an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve with a generous helping of Parmesan.
Notes
Want a thicker soup? Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 1 tablespoon of hot broth after step 8. Whisk into the broth.
Use fresh shredded parmesan cheese, not grated parmesan.
Soup missing something? Add more salt.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 628Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 159mgSodium: 3040mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 3gSugar: 11gProtein: 22g
