There’s something about creamy, hearty soup that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup brings all that comfort right into your kitchentender chicken, soft little pillows of gnocchi, and a velvety broth full of spinach and carrots.
I first made this in the spring of 2003, when my daughters were small and dinner needed to be simple but satisfying. After a long day, I need something comforting but not heavyand this soup delivers exactly that. The secret is simmering the chicken gently so it stays tender, then stirring in the gnocchi at the very end so they don’t turn mushy. I’ve been making versions of this for over twenty years now, and it still turns a tired evening into something that feels special.
PrintCopycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Easy Cozy Dinner
This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is a creamy chicken soup perfect for an easy dinner or comfort soup on busy weeknights. Enjoy a family dinner that brings cozy flavors to your table quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 medium carrot julienned or shredded
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 2 cups half-and-half
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 (16-oz.) package fresh gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted then add onion, celery, and carrot, cooking until soft about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook briefly until its aroma releases about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the pot bottom with a wooden spoon to lift browned bits, then add thyme and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 20 minutes to develop flavors.
- Mix in half-and-half and warm the soup back up, then remove thyme sprigs and season with salt and pepper.
- Add shredded chicken and gnocchi and continue simmering until the gnocchi are tender as directed on the package.
- Toss in spinach and cook just until it wilts. Serve hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Why You’ll Love This Soup
This soup has been a quiet hero in my kitchen for decades. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent but comes together without dramaperfect when you’re tired and still want dinner to feel like dinner.
- Comforting but not heavy: The half-and-half gives you that creamy richness without feeling like you’ve eaten a brick.
- Weeknight-friendly: Most of the time is hands-off simmering. You can tidy the kitchen or just sit with a cup of tea while it does its thing.
- Familiar flavors: If you’ve ever loved that cozy bowl at Olive Garden, this brings it homebut you control the salt, the vegetables, and the love that goes into it.
Key Ingredients That Make It Work
You don’t need anything fancy here. Just good, honest ingredients that layer flavor as they cook.
- Butter, onion, celery, carrot: These build the basesweet, savory, and aromatic. I shred my carrot so it melts into the broth and adds a little natural sweetness.
- Garlic and thyme: Just enough herbal warmth without overpowering the soup. Fresh thyme sprigs are lovely, but dried works in a pinch.
- Chicken broth and half-and-half: Low-sodium broth lets you season to your taste. The half-and-half makes it silky without being too rich.
- Gnocchi and spinach: Tender little dumplings and fresh greens stirred in at the endthey’re what make this soup feel special.
How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
Here’s the rhythm: soften your vegetables, build the broth, let it simmer, then stir in the tender bits at the end. It’s a gentle process, and that’s what makes it so good.
| Step | What You Do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melt butter, cook onion, celery, carrot until soft. Add garlic. | ~6 min |
| 2 | Add broth and thyme, scrape up any browned bits, bring to a boil. | ~3 min |
| 3 | Simmer on low to let flavors bloom. Stir in half-and-half, season. | ~20 min |
| 4 | Add chicken and gnocchi, cook until tender. Stir in spinach, serve. | ~5 min |
Pro Tip: Don’t add the gnocchi too early or they’ll get mushy. Wait until the broth is creamy and seasoned, then drop them in and cook just until they float and soften.
Simple Swaps and Tweaks
Life happens. Ingredients run out. This soup is forgiving and adaptable.
| Instead of… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Half-and-half | Heavy cream (richer) or whole milk + a splash of cream |
| Fresh gnocchi | Shelf-stable gnocchijust check package cook times |
| Baby spinach | Chopped kale, Swiss chard, or frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed) |
| Cooked chicken | Rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken, or poached breast |
| Fresh thyme | 1 tsp dried thyme or a bay leaf |
How to Serve and Store
Ladle this into deep bowls while it’s still steaming. I like to serve it with crusty bread or a simple green salad on the sidenothing fancy, just something to round out the meal.
Storage: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. The gnocchi will absorb some broth as it sits, so you may want to add a splash of chicken broth when reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling or the half-and-half may separate slightly.
Note: I don’t recommend freezing this onethe gnocchi and cream don’t hold up well in the freezer. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.
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FAQs ( Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup )
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for slow cooking. Add chicken, vegetables, and broth to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir in the gnocchi and cream during the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking. This method creates incredibly tender chicken.
What type of gnocchi works best?
Fresh refrigerated gnocchi gives the best texture and closest match to the restaurant version. Frozen gnocchi works well too, just add it directly without thawing. Avoid shelf-stable dried gnocchi as it becomes too mushy and doesn’t hold up in the creamy broth.
How do I prevent the cream from curdling?
Keep the heat at medium-low when adding cream and stir constantly. Let the cream come to room temperature before adding it to hot soup. If reheating leftovers, warm gently and add a splash of fresh cream or milk to restore the smooth texture.
Can I substitute the heavy cream?
Half-and-half works as a lighter substitute, though the soup will be less rich. For dairy-free options, try coconut cream or cashew cream. Avoid regular milk as it’s too thin and may curdle. The cream is essential for achieving that signature restaurant-style richness.
How long does this soup keep in the refrigerator?
This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. The gnocchi will absorb some liquid over time, so you may need to add extra broth when reheating. Reheat gently on the stovetop rather than the microwave for best results.
This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup comes together in about 35 minutes and tastes like the kind of meal you’d linger over on a slow Sunday. You’ll love how the tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi float in that silky, savory broth. It’s comforting without feeling heavy, and every spoonful feels like something made with care.
If you want a little more richness, stir in an extra splash of cream at the end. Leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully hereit’s a trick I learned years ago when time was short and hearts were hungry. You can also swap the spinach for kale or chard if that’s what you have on hand.
I hope this soup finds a place at your table, whether it’s a busy Tuesday or a rainy weekend afternoon. If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned outshare a photo or tell me if it reminded you of a favorite memory. Save this recipe for nights when you need something simple that still feels like a hug.
