There’s something about the Classic Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe that makes it more than just another chicken recipe.
It’s creamy, hearty, and – let’s be honest – one of those dinner ideas that wins everyone over, even the picky eaters.
I’ve had it on a cold night after a long workday, and let me tell you, it’s the kind of soup that shuts everyone up at the table for a while.
If you’ve ever wanted to bring that restaurant-style comfort into your kitchen, this is how you nail it.
Why This Classic Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Stands Out
I’ve tried countless copycat restaurant recipes, but this one’s different. Most blogs will hand you the basics – chicken, broth, cream, gnocchi – and call it a day.
That’s not what I’m giving you here. You’ll learn why the roux matters, how the gnocchi should be cooked (hint: not too soft), and how to build flavor so it doesn’t just taste like milk with noodles floating in it. You want depth. You want comfort.
You want a homemade Olive Garden soup that feels like it came straight out of the pot at the restaurant – but better.
Ingredients Needed To Make Classic Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
I like to keep things simple but precise. If you’re going to take the time, let’s do it right:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
- 2 cups half-and-half (you can use heavy cream for extra richness)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 16 oz potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (trust me on this – it elevates the flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions To Make Classic Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe
Step 1: Build Your Base
Melt the butter with a splash of olive oil in a roomy pot – medium heat is your friend here
Toss in your onions, carrots, and celery. Saute until they soften and the onions look translucent.
Don’t rush this step – the “holy trinity” of soup vegetables is where your flavor begins.
Step 2: The Roux (Don’t Skip It)
Scatter the flour across the veggies, then work it in with nonstop motion.
What you’ve just made is a roux, the secret muscle behind a hearty bowl.
Most home cooks skip this or mess it up, but this one step separates a creamy gnocchi soup from a watery mess.
Give it sixty seconds on the heat – just enough to mellow out the flour’s bite.
Step 3: Broth Meets Cream
Pour the chicken broth in slowly just like a steady rain, not a downpour and keep stirring, and finish by adding the half-and-half
This combo is what gives you the creamy but not too heavy texture. Bring it to a gentle simmer – no hard boiling or you’ll split the cream.
Step 4: Chicken and Gnocchi Time
Stir in the shredded chicken and gnocchi.
If you’re using store-bought gnocchi, taste test it early.
Overcooked gnocchi turns gummy, and nobody wants gummy soup. The gnocchi should be tender but have just a little bite.
Step 5: Greens and Seasoning
Stir in your chopped spinach, add a shake of thyme, a dash of nutmeg, and finish with salt and pepper to taste.
The spinach will wilt fast, so don’t overcook it. Give everything a final stir and let it simmer just a few more minutes until it feels like all the flavors have married.
Pro Dad Tips
- Got kids? Chop the spinach extra fine. They’ll eat it without fuss.
- Want richer flavor? Swap half of the broth with homemade stock.
- Making it ahead? Leave the gnocchi out until you reheat and serve. Do it like this, and your broth stays where it belongs i.e. in the soup, not inside the gnocchi.
- Big family dinner? Double the batch. This soup reheats beautifully the next day, and some say it’s even better after resting overnight.
Serving Suggestions
This soup doesn’t need much, but it sings with a side of warm breadsticks, a simple Caesar salad, or even a crusty baguette.
And here’s a hack- if you’re low on time, frozen garlic bread from the store works just fine.
Final Thoughts
Cooking a Classic Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe at home isn’t about saving money or showing off – it’s about taking control of comfort food.
As a dad, I’ve learned that meals like this aren’t just food; they’re small wins.
Wins where your kids ask for seconds, your spouse eats without distractions, and you get a quiet moment at the table.
That’s the real magic here. Once you nail this chicken recipe, you’ll carry the confidence to try new ones, and trust me, that’s a skill worth having in your back pocket.
