Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
This Homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe delivers a creamy, comforting bowl of goodness inspired by the popular restaurant favorite. Loaded with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh vegetables, and a velvety broth thickened with butter and flour, this soup is perfect for a cozy meal any time of year.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 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
Liquids & Seasonings
- 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)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
Vegetables & Protein
- 1 cup carrots, finely shredded
- 1 cup spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
Other
- 16 ounces package ready-to-use gnocchi
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Olive Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat to create a flavorful base for your soup.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely diced onion, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes, building the soup’s flavor base.
- Create the Roux: Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste and start thickening the soup.
- Add Half-and-Half: Slowly whisk in the half-and-half and continue to simmer until the mixture thickens, stirring frequently to prevent lumps or sticking.
- Add Chicken Broth and Seasonings: Whisk in the chicken broth and continue simmering until the soup thickens again. Stir in salt, dried thyme, dried parsley flakes, and optional nutmeg for a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Add Vegetables, Chicken and Gnocchi: Stir in finely shredded carrots, coarsely chopped spinach leaves, diced cooked chicken breast, and the ready-to-use gnocchi, mixing gently to combine.
- Simmer Until Heated Through: Allow the soup to simmer until the gnocchi is tender and the whole soup is hot throughout, roughly 5–7 minutes.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and add additional salt if needed before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade Olive Garden-style chicken gnocchi soup!
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half with whole milk, but expect slightly less creaminess.
- If using fresh gnocchi, cooking time may vary slightly; add it last and cook until tender.
- You can add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle heat variation.
- The nutmeg enhances the creaminess but can be omitted if not preferred.
Keywords: chicken gnocchi soup, homemade Olive Garden soup, creamy chicken soup, Italian soup recipe, comforting soup
