Name: Gnocchi Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil.; 2 tablespoons butter.; 1 medium onion, diced small.; 1 stalk celery, chopped into small pieces.; 2 garlic cloves, minced.; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.; 4 cups chicken broth.; 2 cups heavy cream (500 ml).; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix.; A pinch of salt and black pepper, to your liking.; 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken.; 1 pound potato gnocchi (450 g).; 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped.; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

A bowl filled with creamy gnocchi soup, featuring tender chicken, spinach, and bright orange carrots. | Tastyhush.com

This creamy chicken gnocchi soup captures all the comforting flavors of the beloved Olive Garden recipe. Filled with tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a velvety broth, it's the perfect homemade version of this restaurant favorite.

What Makes This Soup Special

This hearty soup brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen. The combination of tender chicken, soft gnocchi dumplings, and a rich cream base creates a satisfying meal perfect for cozy dinners.

Essential Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter: For sautéing aromatics
1 tablespoon olive oil: Prevents sticking and adds flavor
1 medium onion: Finely diced
2 celery stalks: Diced for texture
2 garlic cloves: Minced
1/4 cup flour: For thickening
4 cups chicken broth: Forms the soup base
2 cups heavy cream: Creates richness
1 teaspoon Italian herbs: Adds classic flavor
Salt and pepper: To taste
2 cups cooked chicken: Shredded or cubed
1 pound potato gnocchi: For hearty texture
3 cups fresh spinach: Roughly chopped
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese: For serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté Base Ingredients: Melt butter with olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion, celery and garlic until softened.
Create Base: Sprinkle in flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly to make a roux.
Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in broth and cream until smooth.
Season: Mix in Italian herbs, salt and pepper. Simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add Main Components: Stir in chicken and gnocchi. Cook 5-7 minutes until gnocchi becomes tender.
Final Touch: Add spinach and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted. Top with Parmesan before serving.

A bowl of creamy soup with gnocchi, chicken, spinach and carrots, seasoned with black pepper. | Tastyhush.com

Helpful Tips

Save time by using rotisserie chicken. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance flavors. If soup becomes too thick, thin with additional warm broth to reach desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I start with raw chicken for this soup?: Yes, dice the raw chicken and cook it directly in the soup. Add it right after the vegetables, and let it cook for 5-7 minutes before stirring in the flour.
→ What’s the best way to store this soup?: Keep this soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over medium heat, adding a little broth if it’s too thick.
→ Is this soup freezer-friendly?: Freezing isn’t ideal since the cream might split, and the gnocchi could get mushy. Preparing it fresh is the way to go!
→ Can I swap the heavy cream for something else?: Light cream works if you don’t mind a less rich texture. Avoid milk—it’ll thin out the soup and won’t achieve that creamy consistency.
→ Are homemade gnocchi a good option?: Absolutely! Homemade gnocchi work wonderfully in this dish. Just make sure they’re firm so they hold up well during cooking.

Gnocchi Soup

Try this satisfying creamy chicken gnocchi soup. It’s flavorful, hearty, and inspired by a famous Olive Garden staple.

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cook Time

25 Minutes

Total Time

40 Minutes

By: Maria

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (About 2.5 liters of soup)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon olive oil.

02 2 tablespoons butter.

03 1 medium onion, diced small.

04 1 stalk celery, chopped into small pieces.

05 2 garlic cloves, minced.

06 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.

07 4 cups chicken broth.

08 2 cups heavy cream (500 ml).

09 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix.

10 A pinch of salt and black pepper, to your liking.

11 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken.

12 1 pound potato gnocchi (450 g).

13 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped.

14 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Instructions

Step 01

Start by heating the butter and olive oil in a big pot over medium heat. Toss in the onion, celery, and garlic, and cook them until they're soft and smell great.

Step 02

Sprinkle the flour over the cooked veggies and stir it all together until it thickens. Let it cook for 1 minute.

Step 03

Slowly pour in the broth and cream, whisking as you go to keep it smooth and lump-free.

Step 04

Mix in the Italian seasoning along with some salt and pepper. Stir occasionally while letting the mixture simmer for about 5-7 minutes.

Step 05

Stir in the cooked chicken and gnocchi, then let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Finally, toss in the spinach and let it cook for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Notes

A twist on Olive Garden's classic soup recipe.

Pair it with fresh bread for a hearty meal.

Tools You'll Need

Large pot with lid.

A whisk for blending.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Contains dairy products.
Includes gluten ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 520
Total Fat: 32 g
Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
Protein: 24 g

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup