Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup: 7 Irresistible Tips

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If you’ve been craving something warm, creamy, and soul-soothing, this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup might just become your next weeknight hero. As a busy home cook myself (hi, I’m Mounia!), I know the magic of a recipe that practically cooks itself while still tasting like a restaurant-quality hug in a bowl. And if you’ve ever found yourself dreaming about that famous Olive Garden chicken soup after a long day… well, you’re in the right kitchen.

Let’s simmer, swirl, and savor our way through one of my all-time favorite comfort foods.

Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

You know those days when the to-do list feels longer than the grocery receipt after a Costco run? This is the soup you want simmering on your stove. It’s creamy, cozy, and loaded with tender gnocchi, shredded chicken, and aromatic veggies.

Here’s why it wins every single time:

It tastes exactly like the restaurant version—maybe even better.
The whole dish comes together in one pot (hello, fewer dishes!).
It’s family-friendly, picky-eater-approved, and reheats beautifully.
It gives your house that “grandma-just-stopped-by-to-cook” aroma.

And honestly, those little pillowy gnocchi? They soak up the broth like tiny edible clouds. Pure comfort.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this dreamy pot of Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 package (16 oz) gnocchi
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional but delicious

How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This recipe is straightforward, cozy, and perfect for both beginners and seasoned home cooks. The secondary keywords naturally fit into this section—after all, we’re making the real deal!

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté the base flavors
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the veggies soften and start smelling amazing.

2. Add garlic and herbs
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about a minute. Now sprinkle in your dried thyme and basil—the kitchen aroma right now? Chef’s kiss.

3. Build the broth
Pour in the chicken broth and bring everything to a gentle boil. This is where the flavor magic starts happening.

4. Add the chicken and gnocchi
Reduce the heat to a simmer, then add shredded chicken and gnocchi. Cook for 5–7 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the top. When they float, they’re ready—like little culinary lifeboats.

5. Finish with creamy goodness
Stir in the spinach and heavy cream. Simmer another 2–3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve and enjoy
Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy (or hungry… or both).

Helpful Cooking Tips

A few extra tricks from my home kitchen to yours:

Too thick? Add a splash of chicken broth.
Too thin? Let it simmer another few minutes. Think of it as giving the soup time to “find itself.”
Want a richer flavor? Use rotisserie chicken. Trust me—your taste buds will applaud.
Love extra veggies? Add mushrooms or chopped kale. The soup won’t mind.
Making it ahead? Gnocchi absorb liquid as they sit, so add a little extra broth when reheating.

This recipe once saved me during one of those weeks—you know, when life is a marathon and dinner feels like a hurdle. I threw everything into the pot, let it burble away, and boom: the kids were happy, I was happy, and nobody asked, “What else is there to eat?”

Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup served in a bowl with tender chicken, gnocchi, spinach, carrots, and bread on the side. — A hearty bowl of Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup, packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh veggies—perfect with warm crusty bread.

FAQs About Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Can I use frozen gnocchi?

Absolutely! Frozen gnocchi work beautifully. Just toss them in—no need to thaw.

Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?

Yes, the soup will still be creamy, just a bit lighter.

Does this soup freeze well?

It can, but the gnocchi can get a little soft after thawing. If you plan to freeze it, leave the gnocchi out and add fresh gnocchi when reheating.

Can I swap the chicken for turkey?

Definitely! This is a fantastic recipe for using up leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Bring Cozy Comfort to Your Kitchen

Whether you’re craving a restaurant copycat or just need something warm and soothing after a long day, this Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup delivers every single time. It’s creamy, comforting, and full of flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen—my favorite kind of recipe.

Make yourself a bowl, curl up with a blanket, and let this delicious soup turn your evening into something a little more peaceful, a little more comforting, and a whole lot more delicious. Happy cooking, friend!

More Cozy Recipes You’ll Love

If this bowl of Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup warmed your heart (and your kitchen!), I’ve got a few more comfort-filled favorites you’ll want to curl up with next. These recipes are perfect for busy days, chilly evenings, or anytime you need something delicious without the fuss:

If creamy, soothing soups are your love language, you’ll adore this Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup — it’s like wrapping yourself in a fluffy blanket.
Craving another cozy classic you can make with almost no effort? Try the Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie — total comfort in every bite.
For a restaurant-inspired twist that’s just as comforting as today’s recipe, the Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup is a must-try.
And if you can’t get enough of creamy gnocchi dishes (same here!), you’ll fall in love with this Creamy Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup — it’s rich, dreamy, and ridiculously easy.

Feel free to dive into any of these next—you might just find your new weeknight favorite!