Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Everyone loves a good copycat recipe, especially when it’s an Olive Garden dish. This chicken gnocchi soup ticks all of the right boxes, it’s creamy, flavorful and ready in 30 minutes.
Why It Works:
- Balance of Textures: The contrast between the creamy broth, soft gnocchi, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables creates an engaging and satisfying eating experience.
- Hearty and Comforting: Cream-based soups are known for their comforting qualities, especially in colder months. The richness of the broth and the hearty ingredients make it feel like a complete meal in one bowl.
- Familiar Flavors: The ingredients—chicken, cream, gnocchi, and vegetables—are universally familiar, making the soup approachable for most people. It’s a perfect blend of comforting and familiar ingredients, with just enough Italian influence to feel special.
- Versatile Appeal: This soup can appeal to many different people, from those looking for comfort food to those who want something filling but not too heavy. It’s also easy to customize, whether you want to make it richer with more cream or lighter by reducing it.
Key Components:
- Creamy Texture: The rich, creamy broth is the heart of this dish. It provides warmth and comfort, making the soup feel indulgent. The creaminess comes from the combination of chicken broth, flour (for thickening), and half-and-half (or heavy cream). This creates a velvety texture that coats the palate and makes each bite satisfying.
- Tender Chicken: The soup uses tender, shredded chicken, which adds a savory element and some substance. The chicken pairs well with the other ingredients, and because it’s shredded or diced into bite-sized pieces, it adds protein without overpowering the other flavors.
- Soft Gnocchi: Gnocchi are Italian potato dumplings, and they play a key role in the soup. Their soft, pillowy texture contrasts with the smooth broth, adding body and substance. Since gnocchi absorb flavors from the soup, they become infused with the creamy broth, enhancing the overall taste.
- Fresh Vegetables: The spinach, carrots, celery, and onions bring a balance of flavor and nutrients to the dish. The spinach adds a touch of color and freshness, while the carrots and celery provide sweetness and crunch. These vegetables prevent the soup from becoming too rich by adding a layer of lightness and texture.
- Herbs and Seasoning: The use of thyme, garlic, and pepper gives the soup a fragrant, savory flavor. These subtle seasonings enhance the soup without overwhelming it, ensuring that every element—from the chicken to the gnocchi—can shine.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup copycat is creamy, flavorful, and quick to make.
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Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 1/2 cup carrots diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for thickening
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream for a richer soup
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 package 16 oz gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil (or butter) over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flour to coat the vegetables and cook off the raw flavor.
- Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring, making sure there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes to thicken.
- Add the gnocchi to the pot and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the gnocchi are cooked and start floating to the top.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and fresh spinach. Let the spinach wilt in the soup for about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the half-and-half (or heavy cream) and season the soup with dried thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through and creamy.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- If the soup gets too thick, you can add more chicken broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.
- For a richer flavor, you can use heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
- Serve with a side of breadsticks or crusty bread for dipping.
