This homemade chicken gnocchi soup is the perfect comfort food…creamy, hearty and delicious! Only takes one pot and 30 minutes to make.
Easy Olive Garden Copycat
Last year we visited my BIL and SIL in New York for their baby’s blessing and she made the most delicious chicken gnocchi soup while we were there. It tasted like Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup.
I knew once I got home that I had to get the recipe and make it for my family. It’s so creamy, rich and delicious. It’s definitely a new family favorite along with this creamy potato leek soup recipe!
I had never tried gnocchi until I got married, but have made several recipes with it ever since (this soup and sheet pan gnocchi are my faves). This recipe is SO easy to make and can be made in one pot in 30 minutes. You can’t beat that! Enjoy it for lunch, dinner, or whenever. It’s a comforting home cooked meal that the whole family will love!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Made in one pot. What’s not to love about one pot meals? Less dishes means less time cleaning up, which is always a win in my book!
- Ready in 30 minutes. Weeknights get busy, so quick and easy dinners are a must in our house. Easy 30-minute meals come to my rescue time and time again!
- Inexpensive copycat. Learn to make an Olive Garden favorite at home, while saving money at the same time. This inexpensive version tastes just like the real thing!
- Comfort food. This soup will curb all your comfort food cravings. It’s super creamy and hearty and just like my clam chowder recipe will warm you up on a chilly day.
What is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi is basically just mini dumplings made from potato and flour. They are dense, yet soft dumplings that are small in size and typically have ridges on them to help hold sauce.
My kids love to eat them with marinara, basil pesto, bolognese or alfredo sauce. They are also SO yummy in soup and add a great texture! I love eating them with butter and parmesan cheese for a simple lunch as well.
Where is gnocchi found in the grocery store?
If you’ve never tried gnocchi, you can find it in the pasta section at any store. It’s usually vacuum packed to keep it’s freshness. Sometimes it’s also sold in the frozen foods section near other frozen pasta such as ravioli and tortellini. I especially like the DeLallo brand of gnocchi which can be found in the pasta aisle.
Tips + 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. Instead of cooking the chicken breasts, use a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier.
- 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.
- Vegetarian. Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth to make vegetarian. You can even add in a can of chickpeas or more veggies to bulk it up a little more.
How to Store Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This soup will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Leftovers make a great lunch the next day! I don’t recommend freezing this soup, as dairy tends to separate when frozen and the gnocchi could get mushy.
5 star review
“This recipe was very easy to make! Super easy, super tasty, and super fulfilling. My family went for seconds!‘
– Kaitlin
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Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Video
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
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
- Add the chicken, chicken stock, whipping cream, salt, pepper and thyme. Heat to boiling and then add the gnocchi. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down and simmer for 10 minutes, or until it has reached desired thickness.
- Add spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy while warm!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
My perfect comfort food! I am excited because I have leftovers for lunch!
Yay! I’m so glad you loved the soup :)
Can’t wait to try this. Never went to Olive Garden without ordering it. THANKS!
You are so welcome! Enjoy :)
Yes. I made a healthy version though. I used veggie broth seasoned with faux chicken seasoning & almond milk instead of heavy cream. Delicious!
Sounds delicious! So glad the substitutions worked for you :)
This recipe was very easy to make! Super easy, super tasty, and super fulfilling. My family went for seconds 😊 Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe! This will be made again!!
You are so welcome, Kaitlin! I’m so happy to hear your family loved it :)
Thanks for all the great delicious soup recipes! Nothing like a great soup when your feeling tough & need a warm mug of soup & chips to perk you up! I try to cook soup quite often to have for a cold rainy day!!
You are so welcome, Mary!
Thanks for all our great soups.recipes with all of the snow never know when e lights will go out. When we are cold from shoveling we grab a mug .of soup..
Enjoy!
My toddler loves this, even the veggies (!!!). He came running to the table for his favorite soup last time I made it. Very easy to make, and tasty reheated.
Ah so glad to hear that even your toddler loved it! Win!
What is the best way you recommend cooking the chicken? Baking? Seasonings? Etc? Thank you for any help!
Hi Dionna! I like to use a rotisserie chicken or chicken that I’ve cooked and seasoned in my crockpot or instant pot.
What types of seasonings do you use on yours if you don’t mind me asking?
I made this last night & it tasted just like the OG version. It is one of my favorite sopups so I’m happy to have found this recipe! Thanks again :)
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment Kate! :)
Chicken and gnocchi Recipe! ?
Hope you enjoy! :)
My family said it was better than Olive Garden’s! I agree! New staple here at our house!
I’m so happy everyone loved it! Thanks for your comment and review! :)
This chicken n gnocchi soup is so delicious n tasty, so easy to make
This chicken gnocchi soup is so delicious n tasty, so easy to make
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :) Thanks for leaving a comment.
Gnocchi is so good! We loved in this soup as well with the chicken! Delicious!
Soup is perfect right about now and I’ve never seen anything that looks as comforting as this soup! Creamy and delicious!
I love soup season for recipes just like this one! Looking forward to warming up on the couch with this for dinner tomorrow night!
I have not made this recipe yet, but DeLanno makes a gluten free gnocchi which you may want to mention in case there are people who have celiacs and have to eat gluten free but still want to try your recipe. I plan on making it this week but will use the GF gnocchi. I’m sure it will be amazing!! Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you so much for your comment! I’m sure that will be so helpful for those that are gluten free. :)
This recipe is delicious as I have made it before, but I was wondering how I would go about making it in a crock pot?
Hi Briana! I haven’t made this recipe in the crock pot before, but I think it would work great! :)