Better Than Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
This Better Than Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting homemade soup packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, fresh vegetables, and a luscious creamy broth. Made with simple ingredients like butter, garlic, celery, carrots, spinach, and a blend of seasonings, this hearty soup is perfect for chilly days and offers a flavorful alternative to the popular restaurant version.
- 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
Dairy and Oils
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups milk
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
Vegetables
- 1 cup chopped celery (about 2–3 stalks)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces chopped frozen spinach
Meat
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken meat (2 legs and 2 thighs, cooked)
Dry Goods & Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup flour
- 16 ounces gnocchi
- 3 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and heat the olive oil together until the butter is fully melted.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped celery and cook for 5-10 minutes until the celery is softened and tender.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes to release its aroma and flavor.
- Add more vegetables and seasonings: Stir in the shredded carrots, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to combine.
- Make the roux: Sprinkle in the flour and stir everything together until well combined, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add liquids: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring to break up any lumps, then add the milk and heavy cream. Stir well to combine all the liquids into a smooth soup base.
- Add chicken and spinach: Toss in the chopped frozen spinach and cooked shredded chicken, stirring to incorporate evenly.
- Bring to a boil: Increase the heat and bring the soup to a boil, making sure all ingredients are heated through.
- Cook the gnocchi: Gently add the gnocchi to the boiling soup and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are tender.
- Serve: Serve the soup hot and enjoy the creamy, flavorful chicken gnocchi soup immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use homemade or high-quality store-bought gnocchi.
- You can substitute frozen spinach with fresh spinach; just add it towards the end and cook until wilted.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to prevent curdling.
- To make it lighter, reduce the heavy cream or substitute with half-and-half.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Keywords: Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Creamy Chicken Soup, Olive Garden Copycat, Comfort Food, Italian Soup, Gnocchi Recipe
