Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup 

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat recipe brings the restaurant favorite right to your kitchen! Creamy, comforting, and packed with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and fresh spinach, it’s the ultimate cozy bowl that comes together in just 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Restaurant-quality at home: Nails the rich, velvety texture of Olive Garden’s famous soup.
• Quick & easy: Uses pre-cooked chicken and ready-made gnocchi for speedy prep.
• Creamy without being heavy: Half-and-half creates lusciousness without overwhelming richness.

Ingredients

• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• ½ white onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 16 ounces potato gnocchi
• 2 cups half-and-half (see note)
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped

 Directions

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add celery, onion, garlic, and carrots. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.

Step 2: Build the Broth

1. Pour in chicken broth and season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in diced chicken. Cook for 5 minutes to infuse flavors.

Step 3: Cook Gnocchi

1. Add gnocchi to the pot and simmer for 3-4 minutes until they float to the surface.

Step 4: Finish with Cream & Spinach

1. Reduce heat to low and stir in half-and-half.
2. Add chopped spinach and cook just until wilted (about 1 minute).
3. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt/pepper if needed.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Chicken shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
• Extra veggies: Add ½ cup diced zucchini with the carrots.
• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free gnocchi.
• Thicker soup: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water, then stir into soup with the half-and-half.

6. Serving Suggestions

Serve with warm breadsticks or a crisp Caesar salad for the full Olive Garden experience. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.

7. Storage/Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Gently warm on the stove over low heat (avoid boiling to prevent curdling).
• Freeze: Freeze without half-and-half for up to 2 months. Add cream when reheating.

FAQs

Can I use dried spinach?
A: Yes! Use ¼ cup dried spinach, but add it with the broth to rehydrate.

Why is my soup thin?
A: Let it simmer uncovered for 5 extra minutes to reduce, or add the cornstarch slurry mentioned above.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Sauté veggies first, then add all ingredients except half-and-half and spinach. Cook on LOW 4-6 hours. Stir in cream and spinach before serving.

Conclusion

This spot-on Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup copycat delivers all the creamy, comforting flavors you love in one easy pot. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a bowl of cozy nostalgia!

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