This chicken gnocchi soup recipe is a perfect dish if you are looking for restaurant-worthy, home-cooked, comfort food. Simple to cook, you’ll make this chicken gnocchi soup a household regular. This wholesome Gnocchi Soup is creamy, delicious, and oh so satisfying.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
If you are wondering whether this is a good choice as a family meal, then the answer is – yes! It’s a great family all-rounder so you can be sure that everyone at the dinner table will enjoy their fill. You’re unlikely to have any leftovers.
Soups may not always come across as the most appealing type of dish. They can sometimes be thin and not very filling. However, that can’t be said about this recipe. The combination of chicken, gnocchi, and cream really creates a lovely thick, satisfying, and fulfilling dish. It’s perfect if you are looking for something warming with a hit of freshness (thanks to a pinch of Italian herbs).
What’s also great about this recipe is that it’s easy to make. It’s a one-pot recipe that’s simple to put together with a quick clean-up afterwards. Not to mention it tastes great.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
The inspiration for the recipe came from our visits to Olive Garden and how the kids enjoyed it there. Once we tried it, I had to make an olive garden chicken gnocchi soup copycat recipe. I really wanted to enjoy this in the comfort of my own home.
Copycat recipes, like this one, are a great way to enjoy restaurant-worthy food in a more casual way at home. This could be a lot more relaxing and cost-effective way of eating great food – especially if you have kids (which taking to restaurants isn’t always that simple or easy).
What is chicken gnocchi soup made of?
- butter – This is the fat that will help to give this Gnocchi soup its rich flavor. It’s much better to use butter as the main fat for flavor than use olive oil alone.
- olive oil– This is used in conjunction with the butter to stabilize the soup and stop it from browning too quickly and it keeps the soup a lovely golden color. It must be used in conjunction with the butter (don’t omit it)
- onion
- celery stalks
- garlic cloves
- Fresh thyme (optional) or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- all-purpose flour – thickens the soup
- shredded carrots – Adds some texture and color – May use store bought pre shredded like I did today.
- chicken stock/ Chicken broth (or veggie stock) – Adds much of the warming flavor
- Rotisserie chicken
- heavy cream (at least 18% fat)
- Gnoccchi –Potato gnocchi is the classic one, however feel free to use sweet potato gnocchi for a pleasant twist! Also this recipe works well with fresh or frozen dumplings.
- fresh spinach leaves roughly chopped
Optional Ingredients (for serving)
- Parmesan Cheese
- Black Pepper
- Fresh Thyme
Make Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe:
To make life and cooking easier it’s always a good idea to prep all your food before you start cooking.
Start this recipe by adding butter and oil in a large pan using medium heat. While the butter is melting down, mix the celery and onions together. Once the butter is fully melted add the onion and celery to the pan and saute. Add a pinch of salt.
It’s really important to saute the onions down properly so they get soft enough. Don’t rush this step. You will know when they are done if they are light yellow or golden and slightly see-through.
The next step is to add the flour to the onion celery mix and stir it in. Saute this mix for about 3 more minutes until the flour becomes slightly toasted and it will take a slightly golden hue.
Now add the shredded carrots to the pot and the thyme or oregano if you want to, and saute these for another minute. You can now add the chicken stock/broth and bring everything to a boil. The addition of celery carrots will bring both flavor and color to the recipe.
That’s the base of your soup done. Now it’s time to add the good stuff. Add the chicken and gnocchi to the pot and keep the pot boiling for another 15-20 minutes – until the gnocchi is tender.
The recipe is nearly done. The final step is to add the fresh spinach and cream. . After you have added the final ingredients reduce heat on the stove and cook on low. Let it all cook together for just another 2-3 minutes and switch off your stove.
Now you have a finished copycat olive garden chicken gnocchi soup made with minimal fuss for maximum flavor in this truly comforting dish.
Serve right away and enjoy!
Optional:
If you want to add a few finishing touches to your creamy chicken gnocchi soup, once served, sprinkle parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and, black pepper to taste, before tucking in.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure that the flour you add to the celery onion mix reaches a state where it is slightly toasty before adding any other ingredients. Sometimes it’s hard to wait for these small steps in recipes (especially if you’re hungry) but it’s important not to skip on this step.
- Make sure you keep an eye on your food while you are in the sauteing phase. Food can easily get singed or burnt if you aren’t on top of stirring it regularly. Keep an eye on the heat of your stove too. The temperature should not be too high when sauteing.
- Don’t saute your onions too quickly – you will want to make sure they are properly cooked and soft. If they are not cooked properly before the next step, this will really affect the flavor of your soup. You run the risk of it tasting like raw onions rather than the onions proving a light sweetness to the dish.
- You can cook a rotisserie chicken at home for this recipe. However, if you want to make life easier you can buy one already cooked from your local grocery store. I would recommend this option.
- Avoid cooking raw chicken breasts or any raw chicken into this soup. This gives the soup an over-stong taste of chicken. Using a rotisserie chicken gives a milder and more complementary flavor to the overall soup.
- If you want to thicken your soup at the end (though this shouldn’t be necessary) you can add cornflour (in cold water) to the recipe at the end to thicken a bit more.
- When preparing your cooked chicken for the soup I recommend you prepare it so it is boneless skinless chicken using mainly the chicken breasts. The chicken blends into the soup much better this way.
- Try to use a cream that has a high saturated fat content. As you will be adding this to a hot dish, having a high saturated fat content will make the cream more stable and less likely to split/ curdle. When you have reached the point of adding in the cream, reduce the heat on the stove to help avoid this.
Chicken gnocchi soup FAQ’S
Can you freeze chicken gnocchi soup?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze this chicken soup. Make sure it is fully cooled and sealed in a freezable container before you put it in the freezer. You can safely keep your soup in the freezer for up to three months (labeling the date is a good idea to help you keep track).
Can you make chicken gnocchi soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can make your chicken gnocchi soup ahead of time. Don’t make it longer than a few days ahead of time, though a day before is probably best. Once cooked, let it cool and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you are ready to eat it, heat it up on low heat in a pan. It may slightly thicker after being stored in the fridge but you can add a little water to stir through if this is the case.
What do you serve with chicken gnocchi soup?
A great serving suggestion for this soup is to have it with a lovely toasted Ciabatta. It complements this dish perfectly. Toasted ciabatta dipped into this soup is really satisfying. However, this is a really filling soup so it isn’t necessary to serve it with anything if you don’t want to.
Are gnocchi dumplings?
Yes, gnocchi is a type of dumpling made using mainly potato. They have a history in European cuisine but are most traditionally known in Italian cooking.
What type of gnocchi can/ should I use in this recipe?
What’s great about this recipe is that you can use any type of gnocchi for this dish. This includes any size of gnocchi; Gluten-free Gnocchi, sweet potato gnocchi or homemade gnocchi. If you can name a type of gnocchi, then you can be sure it will work in this recipe.
Can you make chicken Gnocchi soup in a Crock-Pot?
Yes, you can definitely cook this recipe in a crockpot or slow cooker.
you start in the same way by following the method of sauteing the onions, celery, and then the carrots once you have added the flour in. You add this saute mix to your slow cooker, add the chicken broth or stock, and the prepared cooked chicken.
Leave this to cook in your crockpot on low for about 4 hours then add the gnocchi, spinach, and cream and leave to cook on low for another 45 minutes. Your gnocchi should be soft and tender and your soup is ready to eat.
Can I make this soup dairy or/ and gluten-free?
You can definitely make this soup gluten-free. Replace the normal plain flour with corn starch and make sure you get gluten-free gnocchi (or make your own homemade gluten-free gnocchi).
However, this dish probably won’t work dairy-free. You just wouldn’t get the same creamy texture and flavor.
Whether you have tried olive garden’s original recipe and want to try to replicate it, or whether you are new to this dish – I don’t think you will be disappointed. Hopefully, you’ll agree with me, that this creamy chicken and gnocchi soup is absolutely delicious and not one to miss trying.
So next time you are undecided whether you want to eat out or in, remember this copycat olive garden recipe and enjoy the taste of dining out in the comfort of your own home.
SOUP RECIPES
Quinoa Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Luscious Carrot Tomato Basil Soup
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 Diced onion
- 2 diced celery stalks
- tsp salt
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- Fresh thyme optional or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock/ Chicken broth or veggies stock
- 2 cups Rotisserie chicken
- 3 cups potato gnocchi fresh or frozen
- 2 cups heavy cream at least 18% fat
- 2-3 cups fresh spinach leaves roughly chopped
Instructions
-
To make life and cooking easier it's always a good idea to prep all your food before you start cooking.
-
Start this recipe by adding butter and oil in a large pan using medium heat. While the butter is melting down, mix the celery and onions together.
-
Once the butter is fully melted add the onion and celery to the pan and saute. Add a pinch of salt.
-
It's really important to saute the onions down properly so they get soft enough. Don't rush this step. You will know when they are done if they are light yellow or golden and slightly see-through.
-
The next step is to add the flour to the onion celery mix and stir it in. Saute this mix for about 3 more minutes until the flour becomes slightly toasted and it will take a slightly golden hue.
-
Now add the shredded carrots to the pot and the thyme or oregano if you want to, and saute these for another minute. You can now add the chicken stock/broth and bring everything to a boil.
-
That's the base of your soup done. Now it's time to add the good stuff. Add the chicken and gnocchi to the pot and keep the pot boiling for another 15-20 minutes - until the gnocchi is tender.
-
The recipe is nearly done. The final step is to add the fresh spinach and cream. .
-
After you have added the final ingredients reduce heat on the stove and cook on low. Let it all cook together for just another 2-3 minutes and switch off your stove.
-
Now you have a finished copycat olive garden chicken gnocchi soup made with minimal fuss for maximum flavor in this truly comforting dish.
-
Serve right away and enjoy!
-
If you want to add a few finishing touches to your creamy chicken gnocchi soup, once served, sprinkle parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and, black pepper to taste, before tucking in.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Recipe Tips
- Make sure that the flour you add to the celery onion mix reaches a state where it is slightly toasty before adding any other ingredients. Sometimes it's hard to wait for these small steps in recipes (especially if you're hungry) but it's important not to skip on this step.
- Make sure you keep an eye on your food while you are in the sauteing phase. Food can easily get singed or burnt if you aren't on top of stirring it regularly. Keep an eye on the heat of your stove too. The temperature should not be too high when sauteing.
- Don't saute your onions too quickly - you will want to make sure they are properly cooked and soft. If they are not cooked properly before the next step, this will really affect the flavor of your soup. You run the risk of it tasting like raw onions rather than the onions proving a light sweetness to the dish.
- You can cook a rotisserie chicken at home for this recipe. However, if you want to make life easier you can buy one already cooked from your local grocery store.Ā I would recommend this option.
- Avoid cooking raw chicken breasts or any raw chicken into this soup. This gives the soup an over-stong taste of chicken. Using a rotisserie chicken gives a milder and more complementary flavor to the overall soup.
- If you want to thicken your soup at the end (though this shouldn't be necessary) you can add cornflour (in cold water) to the recipe at the end to thicken a bit more.
- When preparing your cooked chicken for the soup I recommend you prepare it so it is boneless skinless chicken using mainly the chicken breasts. The chicken blends into the soup much better this way.
- Try to use a cream that has a high saturated fat content. As you will be adding this to a hot dish, having a high saturated fat content will make the cream more stable and less likely to split/ curdle. When you have reached the point of adding in the cream, reduce the heat on the stove to help avoid this.
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Chicken gnocchi soup FAQ'S
Can you freeze chicken gnocchi soup?Yes, you can absolutely freeze this chicken soup. Make sure it is fully cooled and sealed in a freezable container before you put it in the freezer. You can safely keep your soup in the freezer for up to three months (labeling the date is a good idea to help you keep track).
Can you make chicken gnocchi soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can make your chicken gnocchi soup ahead of time. Don't make it longer than a few days ahead of time, though a day before is probably best. Once cooked, let it cool and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you are ready to eat it, heat it up on low heat in a pan. It may slightly thicker after being stored in the fridge but you can add a little water to stir through if this is the case.
What do you serve with chicken gnocchi soup?
A great serving suggestion for this soup is to have it with a lovely toasted Chiabbata. It complements this dish perfectly. Toasted ciabatta dipped into this soup is really satisfying. However, this is a really filling soup so it isn't necessary to serve it with anything if you don't want to.
Are gnocchi dumplings?
Yes, gnocchi is a type of dumpling made using mainly potato. They have a history in European cuisine but are most traditionally known in Italian cooking.
What type of gnocchi can/ should I use in this recipe?
What's great about this recipe is that you can use any type of gnocchi for this dish. This includes any size of gnocchi; Gluten-free Gnocchi, sweet potatoe gnocchi or homemade gnocchi. If you can name a type of gnocchi, then you can be sure it will work in this recipe.
Can you make chicken Gnocchi soup in a Crock-Pot?
Yes, you can definitely cook this recipe in a crockpot or slow cooker.
you start in the same way by following the method of sauteing the onions, celery, and then the carrots once you have added the flour in. You add this saute mix to your slow cooker, add the chicken broth or stock, and the prepared cooked chicken.
Leave this to cook in your crockpot on low for about 4 hours then add the gnocchi, spinach, and cream and leave to cook on low for another 45 minutes. Your gnocchi should be soft and tender and your soup is ready to eat.
Can I make this soup dairy or/ and gluten-free?
You can definitely make this soup gluten-free. Replace the normal plain flour with corn starch and make sure you get gluten-free gnocchi (or make your own homemade gluten-free gnocchi).
However, this dish probably won't work dairy-free. You just wouldn't get the same creamy texture and flavor.
What a yummy comfort food recipe. We loved this!
Such a wonderfully comforting soup! It sounds so good with the gnocchi. I love all the tips to help make it perfect.
This soup is perfect to make this weekend. Love the creamyness and the addition of gnocchis to this soup.
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it does not disappoint! So hearty and delicious; was exactly what I needed to warm up on a cool night!
I can’t wait to make this creamy, hearty, delicious looking soup! I’m getting all the ingredients tomorrow.
This looks so hearty, comforting and delicious! A perfect soup for on a cold day.
Love gnocchi and adding it to the soup makes it even better. So comforting.
I love the addition of gnocchi in this soup! It’s so hearty, satisfying and perfect on a cold day like today!
This soup is so comforting and delicious! Like a creamy twist on chicken noodle soup – yum!
I love adding gnocchi to soup, and this recipe looks like a winner! The ultimate comfort food š