What ingredients do I need to make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home?

To make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup, you will need gnocchi, boneless skinless chicken breast, garlic, onion, carrots, celery, chicken broth, heavy cream or half-and-half, spinach, butter, and seasoning such as salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Using pre-cooked chicken can speed up the process. Fresh spinach and rich cream give the soup its signature creamy texture and flavor.

Can I use store-bought gnocchi instead of making it from scratch?

Yes, store-bought gnocchi works well in this soup and saves time. Choose fresh or frozen gnocchi from the refrigerated section of your grocery store for the best texture. Cook the gnocchi just until tender and add it towards the end of your recipe to prevent it from becoming too soft.

How do I prevent the soup from becoming watery when adding cream?

To avoid watery soup, add the cream or half-and-half after the soup has finished simmering, just before serving, and heat it gently without boiling. This helps maintain the creamy consistency. Also, reduce the broth slightly during cooking to concentrate the flavors before adding the cream.

Is it possible to make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare this soup in a slow cooker. First, sauté the vegetables and garlic to bring out their flavor. Then add them, along with cooked chicken and broth, to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3–4 hours. Add the gnocchi during the last hour to prevent it from overcooking, then stir in spinach and cream just before serving.

Can I substitute ingredients to make the soup healthier or dairy-free?

Yes, you can make healthier or dairy-free versions by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative. Use whole-wheat gnocchi or cauliflower gnocchi for added fiber or lower carbs. For a lighter option, replace butter with olive oil and reduce the cream amount or use low-fat milk, keeping in mind this may alter the creaminess slightly.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe In 5 Easy Steps

Name: Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and diced; 1 stalk of celery chopped; Half of a white onion diced; 2 teaspoons of minced garlic; Half a cup of shredded carrots; 1 tablespoon of olive oil; 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 teaspoon of thyme; 16 ounces of potato gnocchi; 2 cups of half and half; 1 cup of roughly chopped fresh spinach

Description

🍗 This Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe inspired by classic Olive Garden flavor offers a rich, creamy comfort that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
🥄 It combines tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh vegetables for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and diced

1 stalk of celery chopped

Half of a white onion diced

2 teaspoons of minced garlic

Half a cup of shredded carrots

1 tablespoon of olive oil

4 cups of low sodium chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon of thyme

16 ounces of potato gnocchi

2 cups of half and half

1 cup of roughly chopped fresh spinach

Instructions

1-First Step: Prepare all ingredients by dicing the cooked chicken breasts, chopping the spinach, dicing the carrots and celery, and mincing the garlic. This mise en place ensures smooth cooking without any last-minute scrambling.

2-Second Step: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the celery, onions, garlic, and carrots for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent. This step releases the aromatics’ flavors and creates a delicious base for your soup.

3-Third Step: Add the diced chicken, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, allowing the flavors to start mingling together.

4-Fourth Step: Stir in the potato gnocchi and boil for 3-4 minutes. The gnocchi will cook quickly in the boiling broth, becoming tender and absorbing some of the delicious flavors.

5-Fifth Step: Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the soup cook for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to develop further and ensures the gnocchi is perfectly cooked through.

6-Sixth Step: Finally, stir in the half and half and chopped fresh spinach, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the spinach is tender. The cream will make the soup beautifully rich and the spinach will wilt perfectly into the broth.

7-Final Step: Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving. This is your opportunity to fine-tune the seasoning to your preferences. Serve hot, perhaps with some crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.

Notes

🍲 For richer flavor, substitute 1 cup half and half with heavy cream.
🍗 Sauté chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper for enhanced taste.
🥔 Store-bought gnocchi is convenient, but homemade gnocchi can be used for a fresh touch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Sautéing and simmering
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 523
Sugar: 2 grams
Sodium: 622 mg
Fat: 22 grams
Saturated Fat: 11 grams
Trans Fat: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 52 grams
Fiber: 4 grams
Protein: 31 grams
Cholesterol: 99 mg

Keywords: Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Creamy Soup, Olive Garden Inspired, Comfort Food