Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe (Copycat)

My Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup recipe is the kind of bowl that makes a cold weeknight feel instantly better. Loaded with pillowy potato gnocchi, tender shredded chicken, and fresh spinach in a rich creamy broth, this copycat recipe hits every note the restaurant version does – only better, and made right in your own kitchen.

I still remember the first time I ordered this soup at Olive Garden on a cold, rainy Tuesday. That first spoonful of creamy, herb-scented broth with soft gnocchi just hit differently. I knew I had to figure it out at home. What I love most about this homemade chicken gnocchi soup is how simple the ingredient list is. You get that same cozy, restaurant-quality comfort using everyday staples like rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and store-bought potato gnocchi. It comes together in just 35 minutes, making it a go-to for busy weeknights when you want something warming without a lot of effort.

What You Need to Make This Creamy Copycat Soup

I always keep most of these ingredients on hand during soup season, and the list is simple and budget-friendly. Pro tip: rotisserie chicken is your best friend here. It cuts prep time dramatically and adds incredible depth of flavor to the broth without any extra work.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (if using salted butter, skip the added kosher salt)
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (fresh garlic makes a real difference here)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces potato gnocchi (store-bought works perfectly – no need to fancy this up)
• 2 cups half-and-half (sub heavy cream for a richer broth, or whole milk for a lighter version)
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken

Equipment needed: Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot

How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at Home

I recommend reading through all the steps before you start. This copycat chicken gnocchi soup comes together quickly once things get going, so having everything prepped and measured ahead of time makes the whole process smooth and stress-free.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is warm, add the diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Your kitchen will start smelling great right away.

Step 2: Stir in the diced carrot and chopped celery. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring a few times, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown or it will turn bitter and affect the flavor of the whole soup.

Step 3: Pour in the chicken broth. Add the dried thyme, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a low boil.

Step 4: Stir in the potato gnocchi directly into the boiling broth. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender and begin to float to the surface. Important: do not pre-cook the gnocchi before adding them to the soup. Adding them raw gives you that perfect pillowy texture. Pre-cooking leads to mushy, falling-apart gnocchi.

Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the half-and-half, shredded chicken, and fresh spinach. Cook until everything is warmed through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Do not let the soup boil after adding the dairy or the cream can separate.

Step 6: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy right away.

The Best Things to Serve with This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup is hearty on its own, but a few simple sides make it a complete, satisfying meal. The best sides for this recipe are ones that can soak up that rich, creamy broth.

Warm Crusty Bread: Nothing beats tearing off a thick chunk of crusty sourdough or a warm baguette and dipping it straight into the creamy broth. It soaks up every last drop beautifully.

Olive Garden-Style Breadsticks: If you want to stay true to the full restaurant experience, warm homemade or store-bought breadsticks are the classic pairing for this copycat soup.

Caesar Salad: A crisp, tangy Caesar salad cuts right through the richness of the cream broth and balances the whole meal. The contrast in texture and flavor works really well together.

Simple Garden Salad: A light garden salad dressed with a bright vinaigrette keeps things fresh and rounds out this hearty soup without adding too much weight to the meal.

Freshly Grated Parmesan: Not a side dish, but absolutely worth mentioning. A generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan over each bowl adds a salty, savory finish that takes this copycat Olive Garden recipe to another level.

More Cozy Soups and Dinners to Try Next

This chicken gnocchi soup pairs perfectly with other comforting, crowd-pleasing recipes worth bookmarking. If creamy soups are a weeknight staple, the Creamy Crack Chicken Noodle Soup and the rich Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup belong on the list next. For something with a little more heartiness, the Best Beef Barley Soup is a deeply satisfying bowl perfect for cold nights.

Looking for dinner ideas that use the same rotisserie chicken? The Garlic and Sage Chicken Soup is another cozy one-pot option, while the Chicken Buttered Noodles make a quick and comforting weeknight plate the whole family will love. Any of these recipes round out a weekly dinner plan beautifully alongside this copycat Olive Garden favorite.

Storing and Reheating Your Chicken Gnocchi Soup the Right Way

This soup stores well, making it a great option for meal prep throughout the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup base (without the gnocchi) for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.

When reheating, warm the soup gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. The broth may thicken as it sits overnight, so add a splash of chicken broth or half-and-half to bring it back to your preferred consistency. Avoid bringing the soup to a rolling boil while reheating since the cream can separate under high heat.

Pro tip: if you are planning to make this Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup ahead of time, I recommend cooking everything except the gnocchi, then storing the soup base. Stir in fresh uncooked gnocchi only when you reheat it. This keeps the gnocchi from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soft and mushy during storage.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe

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