The Ultimate Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Easy Copycat Recipe!)
Soup season is here, and there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of homemade goodness to chase away the chill. While I could happily enjoy a hearty Taco Soup almost any day of the week, there’s one restaurant classic that holds a special place in my heart: Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup. For many, including myself, their “Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks” lunch combo was an iconic treat, and for my childhood birthdays, Olive Garden was always my top pick. Now, you can recreate that beloved experience right in your own kitchen with this incredible copycat recipe!
This version captures all the rich, creamy flavor and tender texture of the original, but with a clever twist: it’s slightly lightened up. This means you can indulge in this comforting bowl any day of the week without a hint of guilt. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, a satisfying lunch, or even for sharing with friends.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Homemade Chicken Gnocchi Soup
There are countless reasons why this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat will become a staple in your recipe rotation. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience:
- Unmatched Comfort: Imagine a bowl filled with tender, pillowy potato gnocchi, succulent pieces of chicken, and a medley of finely chopped carrots, celery, and spinach, all swimming in a luscious, creamy broth. Every spoonful is pure comfort, warming you from the inside out.
- Lightened Up, Not Light on Flavor: My goal with this recipe was to achieve that signature creamy texture without the excessive richness of the restaurant version. By strategically swapping heavy cream for evaporated milk and slightly reducing butter and oil, we cut down on fat and calories, making it a healthier option you can enjoy more frequently. Don’t worry, the flavor remains truly exceptional!
- Effortless & Quick: You’ll be surprised at how quickly this restaurant-quality soup comes together. With just a few simple steps, you can have a piping hot bowl on the table in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something special but don’t have hours to spend cooking.
- Family Favorite: This soup is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. Its mild, savory flavors and appealing textures make it a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will adore.
- Economical & Customizable: Making this soup at home is far more budget-friendly than dining out, and it gives you complete control over the ingredients. You can easily adjust seasonings, add more vegetables, or even swap proteins to suit your family’s preferences.
I always keep a package of gnocchi in my pantry, not just for this soup, but also for other quick and delightful dishes like my favorite Cheesy Gnocchi Skillet. The versatility of gnocchi makes it a fantastic ingredient to have on hand for those moments when inspiration strikes!
What Exactly Is In Chicken Gnocchi Soup?
The beauty of this soup lies in its harmonious blend of simple yet flavorful ingredients. At its heart, it’s a creamy chicken soup elevated by the unique addition of potato gnocchi. Here’s a closer look at what goes into creating this delightful dish:
- Butter & Olive Oil: The foundation for sautéing our aromatics and building a rich flavor base.
- Aromatics (Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic): The classic mirepoix (with garlic!) that creates the savory soul of the soup.
- Flour: Used to create a roux, which thickens the soup to that perfect creamy consistency.
- Evaporated Milk: My secret ingredient for a lighter, yet still incredibly creamy, broth. It provides richness without the heavy fat content of traditional cream. You can also use whole milk or heavy cream if you prefer a thicker, richer soup.
- Cooked Chicken: Any pre-cooked chicken works wonderfully here – leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even poached chicken breasts. It makes this recipe incredibly convenient.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid base that brings all the flavors together and provides depth.
- Fresh Spinach: Added at the end, spinach wilts beautifully, adding a touch of color, freshness, and valuable nutrients.
- Dried Thyme: This aromatic herb provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the chicken and vegetables perfectly.
- Gnocchi: The star of the show! These small, soft potato dumplings provide a delightful chew and make the soup incredibly satisfying.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the flavors to perfection.
As a huge fan of copycat recipes, replicating restaurant favorites at home is always a joy. It’s particularly rewarding when you can adapt them to be a bit healthier, allowing you to enjoy them more frequently. This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe is destined to become a household favorite. It’s so easy to make, incredibly comforting, and deeply satisfying.
To complete the full Olive Garden experience, you can even make my recipe for Soft Breadsticks at home! Imagine dipping warm, garlicky breadsticks into this creamy soup – pure bliss! This gnocchi soup comes together so quickly that it’s ideal even for the busiest evenings, and the leftovers are fantastic for lunch the next day, often tasting even better as the flavors meld and deepen.
How To Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup: Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting this delicious soup is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect bowl every time:
- Cook Veggies: Begin by heating the butter and olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, chopped celery, and minced garlic. Sauté them gently until the onions become soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for building the foundational flavors of your soup.
- Make Roux: Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir constantly for about 1 minute. This creates a roux, which will act as the thickening agent for your soup, giving it that characteristic creamy body. Next, gradually whisk in the evaporated milk until completely combined and smooth. Continue whisking until no lumps remain. You can also use heavy cream, half and half, or even whole milk here, depending on your desired richness.
- Cook Gnocchi Separately: While your soup base is simmering, prepare the gnocchi in a separate pan according to package directions. Cooking the gnocchi separately ensures they don’t absorb too much liquid from the soup, maintaining their tender texture. Drain well once cooked.
- Thicken & Integrate: Add the shredded carrots and cooked, diced chicken to the soup pot. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Continue stirring often; you’ll notice the soup beginning to thicken slightly as it heats.
- Finish & Season: Stir in the chicken stock, the pre-cooked gnocchi, fresh spinach, and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot and allow it to heat through for about 5 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted and all ingredients are warm.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. For an authentic Olive Garden touch, consider topping each serving with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with warm breadsticks or crusty bread.
Recipe Tips & Customization Suggestions
Making this chicken gnocchi soup is already simple, but these tips will help you achieve perfection and allow you to customize it to your liking:
- Evaporated Milk Explained: I specifically chose evaporated milk for this recipe to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess. Evaporated milk is simply cow’s milk from which about 60% of the water has been removed. This concentration makes it thicker and richer than regular milk, creating a lovely creamy texture in soups and sauces, and it’s also shelf-stable, making it a great pantry staple. If you prefer a richer soup, feel free to use half-and-half or heavy cream. For an even lighter option, skim milk can be used, though the soup will be less creamy.
- Chicken Choices: This recipe is incredibly versatile when it comes to chicken. It’s a fantastic way to utilize any leftover cooked chicken you might have, whether it’s from a roasted chicken dinner, grilled chicken breasts, or even store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply shred or dice it and add it at the specified step. If starting with raw chicken, you’ll need to cook and dice it before adding it to the soup.
- Boost the Flavor: For an even deeper flavor, consider sautéing a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a subtle hint of warmth. A bay leaf added during simmering and removed before serving can also enhance the savory notes.
- Make it Richer: If you’re not concerned about the “lightened up” aspect and crave the full indulgence of the Olive Garden version, simply double the butter and olive oil used in the initial sauté. Additionally, replace the evaporated milk with an equal amount of heavy cream. This will yield an incredibly decadent and rich soup.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Easily turn this into a delicious vegetarian gnocchi soup! Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For added protein, you can stir in a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or white beans towards the end of cooking.
- Add More Veggies: This soup is highly adaptable to additional vegetables. Feel free to throw in some diced zucchini, frozen peas, corn, or even more leafy greens like kale (add kale a few minutes before the spinach to allow it to soften).
- Gnocchi Alternatives: While potato gnocchi is traditional, you can experiment with other types of gnocchi, like sweet potato gnocchi for a slightly different flavor profile. If you don’t have gnocchi, small pasta shapes like ditalini, orzo, or even mini tortellini can be used, though cooking times will vary.
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil right before serving adds a wonderful burst of fresh flavor and a vibrant pop of color.
- Storage: Leftovers of this chicken gnocchi soup are absolutely delicious and store wonderfully. Transfer any cooled soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, gently warm on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You might need to add a splash of milk or broth to thin it out if it has thickened too much in the fridge.
- Freezing: This soup also freezes well! Once completely cooled, store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop. Note that the gnocchi might become slightly softer in texture after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will still be fantastic.
More Comforting Soup Recipes
If you’re anything like me, you can never have too many comforting soup recipes. Here are some of my other favorites that are perfect for any occasion:
- Olive Garden Minestrone Soup: Another fantastic copycat that’s packed with vegetables.
- Cabbage Roll Soup: All the flavor of traditional cabbage rolls, but in an easy soup form.
- Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup: A rich and hearty soup featuring tender tortellini.
- Crock Pot Potato Soup: A hands-off recipe for a classic comfort food.
- Wonton Soup: A light and flavorful Asian-inspired soup.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 quart fat free evaporated milk or half and half
- 1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 16oz package gnocchi
Instructions
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In a large pot heat butter and oil over medium high heat. Saute onion, celery and garlic until the onion is soft and translucent.2 Tablespoons butter, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 small onion, 1/2 cup celery, 2 cloves garlic
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Add flour, and stir until well mixed. Cook for 1 minute.1/4 cup all-purpose flour
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Whisk in evaporated milk or half and half until combined.1 quart fat free evaporated milk or half and half
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Meanwhile, in another pan cook gnocchi according to the package directions.1 16oz package gnocchi
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Add carrots and chicken to the soup pot. Stir often, it should start to thicken slightly.1 cup chicken breasts, 1/2 cup carrots
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Add chicken stock, cooked gnocchi, spinach, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover, and heat for 5 minutes, until heated through.2 cups chicken stock, 1 cup fresh spinach, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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