The first time I tasted Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup, it was during a winter lunch with friends. As the steaming bowl arrived at our table, I was instantly captivated by the aroma of herbs and cream. That first spoonful of pillowy gnocchi and tender chicken swimming in rich, velvety broth was pure comfort in a bowl. I knew immediately I had to recreate this magic at home. You can enjoy the same taste that you can get from the Olive Garden with this easy copycat recipe.
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Table of Contents
Why This Homemade Version Beats the Original
This copycat Olive Garden soup elevates the restaurant experience in several key ways:
- Gnocchi Perfection – Cook gnocchi to your ideal tenderness rather than the sometimes overcooked restaurant version
- Superior Chicken Quality – Use freshly roasted chicken instead of pre-processed meat for juicier, more flavorful results
- Customizable Consistency – Control the thickness of your soup for your perfect creamy texture
- Vegetable Freshness – Enjoy vibrant, just-cut vegetables with perfect al dente texture
- Herb Intensity – Adjust seasonings to amp up flavors beyond the sometimes subtle restaurant version
Everyone Loves Chicken and Gnocchi soup
Why does everyone love this recipe? This is one of those chicken soup recipes everyone loves because it is made with tender gnocchi, juicy chicken, fresh carrots and celery, and a perfectly seasoned chicken broth. Make salad and breadsticks to so with this soup.
The Secret to Perfect Chicken Gnocchi Soup
The magic of this recipe lies in creating a silky, flavorful base and ensuring each ingredient maintains its distinct texture while melding harmoniously with the others.
Ingredients
- Butter – Creates a rich foundation and helps form the roux that thickens the soup
- Olive oil – Adds authentic Italian flavor while preventing the butter from burning during sautéing
- White onion – Provides a sweet, aromatic base that’s milder than yellow onions
- Celery – Contributes essential savory notes and subtle texture to the soup
- Fresh garlic – Delivers aromatic depth that’s essential for authentic Italian flavor
- All-purpose flour – Works with butter to create the roux that gives the soup its signature thickness
- Half and half – Creates the creamy, luxurious texture that makes this soup so comforting
- Low-sodium chicken broth – Forms the flavorful foundation while allowing you to control salt levels
- Dried thyme – Adds classic herbal notes that complement chicken perfectly
- Dried parsley flakes – Provide color and fresh flavor balance to the rich base
- Ground nutmeg – Enhances the creamy elements with subtle warmth and complexity
- Shredded carrots – Adds natural sweetness, color, and nutritional value
- Cooked chicken breast – Delivers tender protein chunks throughout the soup
- Potato gnocchi – Creates the signature pillowy texture that makes this soup unique
- Spinach – Contributes fresh color, nutrition, and a slight texture contrast
Should you use store-bought or homemade gnocchi?
Store-bought gnocchi is perfect for this recipe. You can take the extra step in preparing homemade gnocchi, but premade potato gnocchi works well. Gnocchi can be found in a couple of places in your supermarket, and you have options to purchase them.
- Many local stores sell shelf-stable potato gnocchi in the pasta aisles. I have purchased this at Walmart and Kroger, and I have been told that some dollar stores carry gnocchi.
- I have seen fluffy fresh gnocchi sold in the fresh sections of higher-end grocery stores, where you would pick up a prepared meal. Fresh gnocchi has a better texture and is more desirable, but not every grocery store offers it.
- I have even found it available in the grocery store’s frozen section.
Either type of gnocchi will work well. Your family will love this. Have a hard time finding gnocchi? Make your homemade potato gnocchi.
Preparation tips
- 🥄 PREP TIP: Fresh garlic makes a massive difference in flavor
- 🔥 COOKING TIP: Don’t boil after adding cream to prevent curdling
- ⏰ TIME TIP: “Prep vegetables while heating broth
How to make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi
Making this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi soup recipe is straightforward. You will find that all of the ingredients are very common in your average grocery store. We think it is easiest if you gather all of your ingredients before you start preparing the soup. This way, you will have everything on hand to get started.
First, you will sauté the vegetables in butter over medium-high heat. Then, add some flour and cook that through. You will then add the half-and-half and chicken broth. Please bring it to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cooked chicken and gnocchi are added to your seasoned broth and vegetables. Adjust your seasoning, and you will be ready to serve this soup in less than an hour.
Customizing this soup for you
Some people want a larger punch of flavor from their soup, so you can add some additional chicken soup base to dial up the flavor. I would add an extra teaspoon or two of chicken base to this to bring up the flavor. While I don’t find adding a soup base too close to the restaurant version, it can add something additional.
Want to add in a few more vegetables? We recommend adding some chopped zucchini; you could also add carrots or spinach.
Can you use a Crockpot for this recipe?
Yes, you can. I like to saute the vegetables first before I prepare the soup. You don’t need to do that if you like.
Place all of the vegetables, except the kale, chicken, seasonings, and stock, into the crockpot. Cook on low for 4 hours. Shred the chicken, add the remaining ingredients, and cook for another hour.
If the soup is too thin, make a cornstarch slurry of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of water. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the soup, turn the crockpot on high, and stir until the soup has thickened.
How to Store and Reheat Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- 📅Refrigerate any leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- ❄️Freezer – freeze for up to 3 months in an air-tight container
- 🔥Reheat – this creamy soup is best reheated in a large pot on the stove over low heat. This way, the creamy broth won’t break down.
Can you freeze copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?
Yes, you can freeze this soup. The soup stays well in the freezer for several months when stored in an airtight container. The consistency of the soup will change a bit; if you can, I recommend freezing the soup without the gnocchi and adding gnocchi when you reheat it. The texture of the gnocchi will change after it is frozen. Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight.
What to serve with chicken gnocchi soup
There are so many things you can serve with this soup. You may want to serve the classic Olive Garden Salad; we have found a good old-fashioned Caesar salad that also hits the spot. But when it comes to bread options, you could serve some garlic bread, crusty bread like sourdough bread, or even our copycat Olive Garden bread sticks.
You may want to garnish this soup with cheese. To top the soup, you could use fresh grated Romano or grated Parmesan.
More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes
- Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken
- Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
- Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
- Olive Garden Chicken Alfredo
- Olive Garden Chicken Scampi
- Olive Garden Dressing
- Olive Garden Minestrone Soup
- Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup
- Olive Garden Salad Recipe
- Zuppa Toscana
Popular Soup Recipes
Love soup? Check out these soup recipes and try one of my great dessert recipes to complete your meal.
Look at more of my copycat Olive Garden recipes to make your favorites at home.
Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a large pot or a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes translucent.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Whisk in the half-and-half. Simmer until thickened.
- Whisk in the chicken broth. Simmer until thickened again. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, thyme, parsley, nutmeg (if using), shredded carrots, spinach, chicken, and gnocchi.
- Simmer until the soup is heated through. Before serving, season with additional salt, if necessary.
Video
Notes
- You can use leftover roitisserie chicken for extra flavor
- You may want to use less thyme than suggested
- Some gnocchi is very large, you can cut these pieces in half
- You may want to add additional salt to the final soup. This soup does not have a lot of salt in it, especially if you use low-sodium chicken broth
The first time I had this soup, I went home, got online and found the recipe. My oldest grandson loves it. I took some to a party and it flew out of the crockpot. I did have a problem finding gnocchi. Most people in my city did nor know what it was. The only place I can get it is the Dollar Tree. I like serving it with a salad and I make a bread named focaccia.
I’ve had success in finding gnocchi in World Market – I prefer the mini-size but, both packages are usually available
I have found Gnocchi at Aldi’s. 🙂
Aldi is a favorite store of mine! You can find many things there.
I discovered this recipe about 4 years ago. Give or take. I just want to say I’ve made it about a million and a half times and I adore it. It is my favorite soup to make. I use the Dollar Tree gnocchi, although one day I will attempt to make my own. I always double the recipe because honestly it’s even better the next day. Thanks for a family favorite!
Going to try this thanks
I have never had this at Olive Garden and this is my first time making the recipie. I love it! A pitty I made it for a work potluck because I want it all to myself!
I doubled the recipie and used Swanson canned chicken for faster prep time and 1 package World Market porcini & truffle gnocchi, 1 package mini gnocchi. Some more salt and white pepper brought it up to speed. Thanks!
I am so glad you enjoy the soup! I hope you try other recipes here.
Oh, I bet your soup was completely delicious. I would have loved the truffle gnocchi!
This is my families all time favorite soup, the only thing I change is I use wide no yolk noodles & extra chicken stock, I have to make a triple batch so we can have left overs!
Can this recipe be frozen?
Many people have frozen this soup with good success.
I made your copy cat zuppa toscana last night nd it was wonderful, will be making the gnocchi tonight and look forward to sharing it with my family. Thank you for sharing your recipes.
I just made this soup, and it was excellent. I didn’t change a thing. YUM!
I’d love to make this dish for my family but, I’d like some tips on how to twist it and remove the chicken from the recipe. My daughter is vegetarian and my husband a health nut who loves his veggies also. So I just want to make sure that my daughter can enjoy right along with the rest of the family. Thank you for taking the time to share one of their favorite recipes!!!!
Is your daughter vegetarian or vegan? This would help me to make better suggestions for you.
I make my batch 4 times as much using two big 32oz chicken broths, 1 quart of cream and some water. The chicken pieces can be any size you like but little to medium sized is ideal. The spinach in the restaurant is chopped so I do that. I use lots of thyme. It goes well with the chicken.
I do the same thing. I boil my chicken in some spiced up water and then shred it in my food processor. I then use two 32oz chicken broth and 1 quart cream but do not add any water. I then pulse the spinach in my food processor before adding to the soup.
This is awesome. Will cook over and over…May never go to the Garden again..
I am so happy you enjoyed the soup!
Thank you for sharing! I make it often and my family loves it! I only stray from the recipe when it calls for chicken breast. I prefer the flavor of dark meat in soup so I roast some chicken thighs instead. Paired with a copycat OG salad and some breadsticks it’s always a hit! Thanks again! 🙂
During the many times I have eaten this at the Olive Garden I have definitely noticed they do not use chicken breast but dark meat, I assume the thigh because it is very pink meat and not white. I agree that the dark meat while being a more fatty meat gives a better flavor to any dish.
I made the soup following the recipe exactly and it came out bland.. I had to double it for my family. So decided to triple the seasoning added celery salt, salt & pepper to my taste. Then it turned out perfect! Will definitely make this again!
Does this soup freeze well? I freeze most of my other soups.
I can’t honestly say. I haven’t tried freezing it before.
I make this soup and freeze it quite often, turns out great every time.
Soup recipe was alright.
This recipe is right on! My husband turned his nose up when I was cooking but later he was turning his bowl up! I packed him leftovers for lunch.
That’s always a good thing! I am glad you husband liked the soup!
I love this soup! I boiled my chicken and added oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic salt to the water. What I came up with was almost 28 ounces of chicken and herb broth that I used. I also used the Dollar Tree gnocchi and it cooked up perfectly! My husband won’t eat any type of soup without bread so I made Irish soda bread and it paired well!
Just as delightful cold as it is hot. I love it.
I made this pretty close to the recipe on Tuesday. I did use some Chinese greens from my garden instead of spinach, and roasted breasts and thighs specifically for the soup. I doubled spices. It was good. On Wednesday, I added a little more nutmeg and salt. It was better. For lunch today, Thursday, I threw in a little real bacon pieces before reheating and another dash of nutmeg. It was insanely good! I also make their Zuppa Toscano which is a family favorite, so the base didn’t taste much different from that once I added the bacon, but still a very different profile with the nutmeg, thyme, and the gnocchi which by now is starting to go mushy but no big deal. A very, very good soup. Into my soup lineup it goes!
Wish i didn’t use thyme and this recipe would of been perfect i added extra chicken broth and butter to calm down the thyme I only used 1/2 teaspoon and its over powering:-(
I am very sorry you didn’t enjoy the thyme. The recipe only called for 1/2 a teaspoon, and that shouldn’t have been too much. I am sorry that you feel this ruined the soup for you.