Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Copycat: Your Easy 30-Minute Recipe!

Craving the comforting, creamy goodness of Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup but don’t want to leave your house? Look no further! This incredible copycat recipe brings the beloved restaurant classic straight to your kitchen, and the best part? It’s even easier and quicker to make than you might imagine, coming together in less than 30 minutes. Forget long ingredient lists and complicated steps; this is a true one-pot wonder that delivers on flavor, texture, and pure comfort.

Imagine tender pieces of succulent chicken, soft pillowy potato gnocchi, and fresh vibrant spinach, all swimming in a rich, velvety broth that’s seasoned to perfection. This soup isn’t just a meal; it’s a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for a cozy evening, a quick weeknight dinner, or serving to guests who will undoubtedly ask for the recipe. It’s a crowd-pleaser that consistently earns rave reviews and will quickly become a cherished staple in your home cooking repertoire. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this remarkably simple yet utterly delicious Chicken Gnocchi Soup!

Why This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a Must-Try!

• Unbeatable Flavor: This recipe captures the iconic taste of Olive Garden’s famous soup, from the savory chicken and fresh veggies to the signature creamy broth.
• Lightning Fast: Perfect for busy weeknights, this entire soup comes together in under 30 minutes, allowing you to enjoy a wholesome, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup is always a win! Everything cooks in a single pot, making it incredibly convenient.
• Hearty & Wholesome: Packed with protein from the chicken, essential vitamins from spinach and carrots, and satisfying gnocchi, it’s a complete meal in a bowl that will keep you feeling full and happy.
• Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe to your family’s preferences. Add more vegetables, adjust seasonings, or even try different types of gnocchi.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Chicken Gnocchi Soup

The magic of this soup lies in its fresh ingredients and a few clever tricks to achieve that signature creamy texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:

• 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter: This forms the base for our flavorful roux, adding richness and helping to sauté our aromatic vegetables to perfection. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the overall sodium content of your soup.
• 1 small onion, diced: Onions provide a foundational sweetness and savory depth to the broth. Dicing them finely ensures they blend seamlessly into the soup.
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced: Garlic is essential for that classic Italian-American flavor profile, adding warmth and a pungent aroma.
• 1 cup matchstick carrots: Carrots add a touch of sweetness, vibrant color, and essential nutrients. Using pre-cut matchstick carrots is a fantastic time-saver, but you can certainly julienne larger carrots yourself.
• 4 celery stalks, chopped: Celery contributes a subtle savory and earthy flavor, completing the classic mirepoix base for our soup.
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning: A pre-blended mix of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, this seasoning brings a harmonious blend of Mediterranean flavors to the soup.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: While fresh garlic is great, garlic powder adds an extra layer of garlicky goodness that permeates the entire soup.
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme: Dried thyme offers a distinct, earthy, and slightly minty flavor that complements the chicken and vegetables beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon salt & pepper: These essential seasonings are crucial for enhancing all the other flavors. Remember to taste and adjust throughout the cooking process.
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: This is the thickening agent for our roux, creating a silky-smooth base for the creamy broth.
• 5 cups chicken broth: The liquid base for our soup. Opt for a high-quality, low-sodium chicken broth to control saltiness and ensure a rich flavor.
• 1 Tablespoon chicken bullion paste: This ingredient is a flavor booster! It intensifies the chicken flavor in the broth, giving it a more robust and restaurant-quality taste. You can find it in the soup aisle near other broths.
• 1 pound frozen cubed chicken breasts: Using pre-cooked or frozen cubed chicken significantly cuts down on prep time. You can also use cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded leftover chicken, or even quickly sauté fresh chicken breast cubes before starting the soup.
• 16 ounces potato gnocchi: The star of the show! These soft, pillowy potato dumplings provide a unique, hearty texture. You can find them in the pasta aisle. Don’t worry, they cook very quickly right in the soup!
• 1 cup heavy cream: This is what gives the soup its signature luxurious, creamy texture and rich mouthfeel. For a slightly lighter version, half-and-half can be used, but heavy cream offers the best consistency.
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach: Spinach wilts quickly and adds a beautiful green color, a touch of freshness, and a boost of nutrients. Add it at the very end to prevent overcooking.
• Fresh thyme, rosemary, and basil: While dried herbs are used for the base flavor, fresh herbs stirred in at the end or used as a garnish add a vibrant aroma and professional touch. During winter, a pre-packaged “poultry seasoning mix” of fresh herbs can be a convenient option.
• 1 cup instant potato flakes: My secret ingredient for thickening soups! These flakes dissolve seamlessly, creating a perfectly thick and creamy consistency without any lumps or a starchy taste. It’s a game-changer for creamy soups.
• Parmesan cheese for topping: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving adds a salty, umami finish that perfectly complements the soup.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup On The Stove

Follow these simple steps for a perfect bowl of homemade Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Begin by placing a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat on your stovetop. Add the 4 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt completely. Once the butter is shimmering, add the diced small onion. Sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, fragrant, and translucent, but not browned. This process softens the onions and releases their sweet flavor, which is crucial for the soup’s base. Next, stir in the minced garlic cloves and cook for just one more minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
2. Build the Flavor Base: Add the matchstick carrots and chopped celery stalks to the pot. Cook these vegetables for another 2-3 minutes, allowing them to slightly soften and absorb the flavors from the butter and aromatics. Now, sprinkle in the dry seasonings: Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the vegetables and toast the spices for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Immediately sprinkle in the 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetables. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the flour dissolves completely and cooks out any raw flour taste, creating a smooth roux.
3. Add Liquids and Chicken: Gradually pour in the 5 cups of chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and ensure the flour integrates smoothly into the liquid. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of chicken bullion paste until it fully dissolves, infusing the broth with even more rich chicken flavor. Finally, add the 1 pound of frozen cubed chicken breasts (or your preferred cooked chicken). If using fresh raw chicken, you would typically brown it before adding the broth, but for this quick recipe, pre-cooked or frozen works perfectly.
4. Simmer and Cook Gnocchi: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat slightly to maintain a steady simmer. Allow the soup to cook for 7 minutes, giving the flavors time to meld and the chicken to heat through if frozen. During the final two minutes of this simmering time, add the 16 ounces of gnocchi directly into the pot. Gnocchi cooks very quickly; they are done when they float to the surface. Avoid overcooking them, as they can become mushy.
5. Achieve Creaminess and Finish: Once the gnocchi are cooked, turn the heat back down to a low simmer. Stir in the 1 cup of heavy cream, giving the soup its signature rich and velvety texture. Add the 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach; it will wilt almost instantly from the heat of the soup. Now, incorporate the fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil) if using. For optimal thickness, begin stirring in the instant potato flakes, 1/4 cup at a time, up to one full cup, until you reach your desired consistency. The potato flakes will thicken the soup without adding lumps or a starchy taste. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt or pepper if desired. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!

Expert Tips for the Best Homemade Gnocchi Soup

• Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi: Gnocchi cook very quickly, usually in just 1-2 minutes once added to boiling liquid. They are done as soon as they float to the surface. Overcooked gnocchi will become mushy and lose their delightful chewiness.
• Proper Thickening with Potato Flakes: Add the instant potato flakes gradually, about a quarter cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. This allows you to control the thickness and prevent the soup from becoming too dense. It’s truly the best way to get a smooth, lump-free creaminess!
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Always taste your soup before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed. Broths and bullion pastes can vary in sodium content, so trust your palate! A squeeze of lemon juice at the end can also brighten all the flavors.
• Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: While dried Italian seasoning forms the base, a sprinkle of fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil at the very end adds a burst of fresh flavor and aromatic appeal that elevates the soup.
• Use Quality Ingredients: A good quality chicken broth and fresh vegetables will significantly impact the final taste of your soup.

Customizing Your Soup: Variations & Substitutions

This Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment and make it your own:

• Vegetable Boost: Add other quick-cooking vegetables like diced zucchini, bell peppers, or even frozen peas in the last few minutes of cooking.
• Make it Vegetarian: Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth. For added protein, you can include white beans or cannellini beans.
• Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the Italian seasoning can give the soup a subtle kick.
• Different Proteins: Instead of chicken, try cooked Italian sausage (crumbled and browned) or even turkey.
• Alternative Thickeners: If you don’t have instant potato flakes, you can make a thicker roux with more flour and butter, or create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and stir it in gradually at the end.
• Dairy-Free Option: For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based milk (like cashew or almond milk, preferably unsweetened and unflavored) in place of heavy cream, and a dairy-free butter alternative.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

This hearty Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to create a true Olive Garden experience at home:

• Crusty Bread or Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy broth.
• Fresh Garden Salad: A crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast.
• Garlic Bread: Homemade or store-bought garlic bread is always a hit with Italian-inspired soups.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This soup is fantastic for leftovers, though gnocchi can tend to absorb liquid and soften over time. Here’s how to handle it:

• Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. If the soup has thickened too much overnight, you might need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
• Freezing: While the flavor holds up, the texture of the gnocchi and cream can change slightly after freezing and thawing (gnocchi can become a bit mushier, and cream might separate). If you plan to freeze, you might consider cooking the gnocchi separately or adding it only to the portion you plan to eat fresh. Otherwise, freeze in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about making this delicious Chicken Gnocchi Soup:

Q: Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen?
A: Absolutely! If using raw fresh chicken breast, dice it into 1/2-inch cubes. Before starting step 1, sauté the chicken in a tablespoon of olive oil or butter until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove it from the pot and set aside, then proceed with the recipe, adding the cooked chicken back in with the broth and bullion paste in step 3.

Q: What if I can’t find instant potato flakes?
A: While potato flakes are my secret for the best thickening, you can still achieve a creamy soup. You can make a thicker roux by adding an extra tablespoon of flour in step 2. Alternatively, at the end, you can make a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then gradually stir it into the simmering soup until it reaches your desired thickness.

Q: Can I make this soup ahead of time?
A: You can certainly prep ingredients ahead, like chopping vegetables. The soup itself is best enjoyed fresh, especially the gnocchi. If making entirely ahead, the gnocchi can absorb a lot of liquid and become very soft. For best results, consider making the soup base (up to the point before adding gnocchi and spinach) and then adding gnocchi and spinach just before serving.

Q: Is this soup gluten-free?
A: As written, this recipe is not gluten-free due to the all-purpose flour and traditional potato gnocchi. To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum for thickening) and use gluten-free gnocchi, which are readily available in many stores.

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