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Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe Easy Cozy Olive Garden Copycat

creamy chicken gnocchi soup - featured image

A cozy, creamy chicken gnocchi soup inspired by Olive Garden, featuring tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh herbs, and a silky broth perfect for cold evenings or quick dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced small
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups (32 fl oz) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (8 fl oz) half-and-half or heavy cream
  • 2 cups (about 10 oz or 300 grams) cooked chicken breast or thighs, shredded or cubed
  • 1 package (16 oz or 450 grams) potato gnocchi
  • 2 cups (about 2 oz or 60 grams) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 23 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted and shimmering, add the finely chopped yellow onion, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and onion turns translucent.
  2. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
  3. Sprinkle 1/4 cup (30 grams) of all-purpose flour over the veggies and stir well to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to remove raw flour taste.
  4. Gradually pour in 4 cups (32 fl oz) of chicken broth while stirring to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer until broth thickens slightly.
  5. Stir in 1 cup (8 fl oz) of half-and-half or heavy cream and return to a low simmer, keeping heat moderate to avoid curdling.
  6. Add 2 cups (about 10 oz) cooked chicken pieces, 2 cups (about 2 oz) roughly chopped fresh spinach, and 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
  7. Add 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi directly to the pot. Stir gently and cook according to package instructions, usually 2-3 minutes, until gnocchi float to the surface and are tender but not mushy.
  8. Remove thyme sprigs and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Stir in a handful of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
  9. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with more Parmesan and fresh thyme. Serve immediately.

Notes

Cook gnocchi directly in the broth to absorb flavor but stir gently to avoid breaking them. Temper cream by mixing a bit of hot broth into it before adding to prevent curdling. If soup thickens after resting, stir in broth or cream before reheating. For dairy-free, substitute half-and-half with coconut milk and use vegan butter. For gluten-free, use gnocchi made with rice or almond flour. Freeze soup without gnocchi and add fresh gnocchi when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken gnocchi soup, creamy soup, Olive Garden copycat, comfort food, easy soup recipe, cozy dinner, gnocchi soup