This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is easy to make with gnocchi, rotisserie chicken, and a flavorful broth. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s even better than Olive Garden!

Ladle full of creamy chicken gnocchi soup with carrots, spinach, and tender gnocchi.

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Jamielyn Nye

This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Tastes Like the Real Deal

When we visited my BIL and SIL in New York for their baby’s blessing, she served the most delicious copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup, so creamy, rich, and full of flavor.

It instantly joined my list of favorite restaurant-inspired soups, right alongside pasta e fagioli, zuppa toscana and minestrone soup. This one-pot recipe comes together in just 30 minutes with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and a savory creamy broth. Don’t forget the Olive Garden breadsticks!

Ingredient Notes

  • Olive oil: I used extra virgin olive oil to saute the veggies but butter can be used for a richer flavor.
  • Veggies: Onion, carrots, celery and garlic (mirepoix) form the flavor base in the soup.
  • Chicken breasts: Your chicken breasts will need to be cooked and shredded. I always love to have this shredded chicken recipe on hand.
  • Heavy cream and chicken broth: This combination makes an irresistible creamy broth!
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper and dried thyme. Italian seasoning is also great!
  • Gnocchi: Potato gnocchi can often be found in the pasta aisle or frozen gnocchi in the section by frozen ravioli and tortellini. I like the DeLallo brand of dried gnocchi.
  • Spinach: Baby spinach that has been chopped adds a pop of color and nutrients.

How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.

Chopped onions, celery, and carrots on a cutting board next to a pan of sautéed vegetables.

Add shredded chicken, chicken stock, whipping cream and seasonings. Heat to boiling and then add 16 ounces gnocchi. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down and simmer for 10 minutes, or until it has reached desired thickness.

Add 1-2 cups spinach, stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve while warm!

Large pot of chicken gnocchi soup topped with fresh chopped basil.

Tips and Variations

  • Prepare veggies. Make sure to chop the vegetables before getting started. For convenience, use a bag of shredded carrots or buy pre chopped onions and celery.
  • Rotisserie chicken. This is one of my favorite leftover rotisserie chicken recipes. It makes it so easy to make this creamy chicken gnocchi soup!
  • Greens. You can use kale instead of spinach if preferred. Just make sure to wait to add it in until the very end.
  • Gluten-free. Use gluten-free gnocchi if needed. DeLallo and Trader Joe’s make a great gluten-free version.
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This recipe is awesome just as is. This gets devoured every time I make it!

Kathy
Bowl of creamy chicken gnocchi soup with carrots, spinach, and gnocchi in a blue handled dish.

More Olive Garden copycat recipes include chocolate lasagna, chicken fettuccine Alfredo and this Olive Garden salad recipe!

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Bowl of creamy chicken gnocchi soup with carrots, spinach, and gnocchi in a blue handled dish.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

4.91 from 55 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
This easy chicken gnocchi soup is simple to make with gnocchi, rotisserie chicken and a creamy broth. Ready in 30 minutes, it's even better than Olive Garden!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ onion , diced
  • 1 cup carrots , sliced or shredded
  • 1 cup celery , chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 3 chicken breasts cooked and shredded (or use rotisserie chicken)
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • 16 ounce package mini potato gnocchi
  • 1-2 cups spinach , chopped

Instructions

  • Saute veggies. Heat 1 Tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 a diced onion, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup celery and 1 teaspoon garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
  • Add remaining soup ingredients and simmer. Add 3 cups shredded chicken, 4 cups chicken stock, 1 pint whipping cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon thyme. Heat to boiling and then add 16 ounces gnocchi. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down and simmer for 10 minutes, or until it has reached desired thickness.
  • Add spinach. Add 1-2 cups spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy while warm!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Substitutions: Swap kale for spinach, or use gluten-free gnocchi if needed (DeLallo and Trader Joe’s make great gluten-free versions). 
Storage: This soup will keep in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 619kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Cholesterol: 185mg, Sodium: 873mg, Potassium: 799mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 5302IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 98mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

FAQs

What type of chicken should I use?

Rotisserie chicken is my go-to for ease and flavor, but any cooked and shredded chicken breast or thigh meat will work. It’s a great way to use up leftovers, too.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Yes! Add all the ingredients except the gnocchi, half-and-half, and spinach to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. Stir in the gnocchi, half-and-half, and spinach during the last 15–20 minutes, just until the gnocchi is tender.

How do I store leftovers?

This Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Leftovers make a delicious lunch the next day! I don’t recommend freezing it, as dairy can separate when frozen and the gnocchi may become mushy.