This creamy Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup comes together in about 30 minutes and uses just one pot for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, you’ll want to make this delicious soup again and again!
Ingredients Breakdown
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup Finely Diced Onion
- 1/2 cup Finely Diced Celery
- 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 quart Half-and-Half
- 28 ounces Chicken Broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg (Optional)
- 1 cup Carrots (Finely Shredded)
- 1 cup Spinach Leaves (Coarsely Chopped)
- 1 cup Chicken Breast (Cooked and Diced)
- 16 ounces Package Ready-to-Use Gnocchi
How to Make This Amazing Soup
Alright, let’s dive into making this incredible Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup!
Melt the butter and olive oil in a large pot or a Dutch oven over medium heat. It should start to bubble a little, which is when you know it’s time to add the next ingredients.
Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously to prevent it from burning (because burnt flour is NOT a vibe).
Slowly whisk in the half-and-half until well combined. Then bring this beautiful mixture to a simmer and let it thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes. You should see the cream coat the back of a spoon when it’s thickened!
Next, whisk in the chicken broth and let it simmer until thickened again for another 3-4 minutes. This step is where all the flavors come together, so keep an eye on it!
Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, thyme, parsley, nutmeg (if using), shredded carrots, spinach, chicken, and gnocchi. Just imagine that colorful, comforting medley coming together!
Simmer the soup until heated through, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll want to keep stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom (you don’t want to miss those yummy bits!).
Before serving, taste it, and if necessary, season with a couple of pinches of salt and pepper. Trust me; it’ll feel like love in every spoonful!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something cozy and satisfying. I’m a real sucker for comfort food, and this Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup warms my heart! The best part is how flexible it is, if you’re missing an ingredient, you can easily switch things out or add in whatever you have laying around. Whether you’ve got leftovers from last night’s dinner or some veggies that need using up, this soup makes it work!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Olive Garden Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno Copycat, my Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, or my Japanese Beef Bowl!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food : Loaded with Tons of Flavor
What makes this soup truly special is its delightful combination of ingredients! The creamy base paired with tender gnocchi, veggies, and chicken creates a bowl of flavor that’s just what you need on a chilly evening. Speaking of flavor, the herbs bring everything right to life, trust me!
Quick & Easy : Comes Together in Under 30 Minutes
This recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It comes together all in one pot, minimizing cleanup. Plus, in just 30 minutes, you’ll have an incredibly satisfying meal ready to go.
Customizable : Use Whatever Ingredients You Have
Whether you’re working from a specific recipe or going on a scavenger hunt in your fridge, this soup allows for tons of customization. Got some extra broccoli? Toss it in! Leftover pork? Why not?
Meal Prep Friendly : Perfect for Those Week Ahead
This soup is fantastic for meal prep! Make a big batch and fridge it for up to a week. Just heat it up when you’re ready to eat. Just remember, you might want to add a splash of extra broth when reheating because it’ll thicken slightly in the fridge.
Crowd-Pleaser : The Whole Family Will Love It!
If you’ve got picky eaters at home, this soup is the trick. Who can turn down gnocchi? The creamy texture and rich flavors are always a hit with kids, and adults too!
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve with This
Pair this delicious soup with crusty bread or a simple salad for a well-rounded meal. Garlic bread would work perfectly too, who doesn’t love that combo?
Storage Tips
This Chicken Gnocchi Soup will keep well in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it up on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently until heated through. You can also microwave it in a suitable container, pausing periodically to stir it.
Is It Freezer Friendly?
While I don’t recommend freezing this soup as gnocchi can become mushy, you can freeze the soup base before adding the gnocchi and veggies. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and add cooked gnocchi when ready to eat!
This Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself coming back to time and time again. It’s so hearty, cozy, and perfect for feeding the whole family. Cheers to quick meals that nourish both the belly and the soul! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic, and cook until onion is translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously.
- Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and bring to a simmer, letting it thicken slightly (about 3-4 minutes).
- Whisk in the chicken broth and let it simmer until thickened again for another 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in salt, thyme, parsley, nutmeg (if using), carrots, spinach, chicken, and gnocchi.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, until heated through (about 5-7 minutes).
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.