Description
This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a fragrant blend of herbs simmered in a rich chicken broth with heavy cream. Perfect for cozy dinners, this homemade version replicates the beloved restaurant favorite with simple ingredients and easy steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauté Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
Seasonings & Broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 6 cups chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasoning & Garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until the garlic is aromatic.
- Add herbs and broth: Sprinkle in the dried thyme and basil, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with chicken and gnocchi: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the shredded chicken and gnocchi, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until the gnocchi float to the top and become tender.
- Finish with spinach and cream: Stir in the fresh spinach and heavy cream, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the soup is heated through. Season with salt and black pepper to your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Gnocchi can be substituted with small pasta such as tortellini if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
- Add freshly cracked black pepper to elevate the flavor at the end.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add 1 tablespoon of flour when sautéing the onions and vegetables to create a roux.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American/Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup, creamy chicken soup, gnocchi soup, comfort food, homemade soup, Italian soup
