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!
Love copy restaurant-quality soup recipes? Try pasta e fagioli, zuppa toscana and minestrone soup.
Table of Contents
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Last year we visited my BIL and SIL in New York for their baby’s blessing and she made the most delicious copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup while we were there. It was so creamy, rich and delicious!
I had never tried gnocchi until I got married, but now this soup and sheet pan gnocchi are some of my favorites. This easy gnocchi soup recipe is easy to make and can be made in one pot in 30 minutes. It’s definitely a new family favorite along with this creamy potato leek soup recipe and chicken dumpling soup recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made in one pot and ready in 30 minutes. This soup is both a one pot recipe and a 30-minute meal. Less dishes and a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
- Comforting copycat recipe. Skip takeout and make Olive Garden soup and Olive Garden breadsticks at home. It’s creamy, hearty just like my clam chowder recipe!
- Family friendly. My kids love gnocchi not only in this soup but with marinara, basil pesto, bolognese or Alfredo sauce, too! Mini dumplings for the win.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil but butter can be used for a richer taste to saute the veggies.
- Veggies: Onion, carrots, celery and garlic added a flavor filled mirepoix base to 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 Easy 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.
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!
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. 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.
- 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.
Storage
This Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup recipe 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.
More Olive Garden copycat recipes include chocolate lasagna, chicken fettuccine Alfredo and this Olive Garden salad recipe!
More Soup Recipes
Browse all
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
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
- 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!
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!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Chicken, Chicken, Dinner, Italian, Nut-Free, One Pot, One Pot, Pasta, Soups, Stovetop, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Love this recipe, it is sooo easy, rich, & delicious. Can’t believe someone took a star off for prep, all you have to do is chop & shred!! & it’s worth it. Thank you for this recipe!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for leaving your nice comment and review Olivia! :)
Very tasty! I did not think it too much prep work – no more than you would expect for that magical carrot- onion- celery combo that is used in many recipes. My family thoroughly enjoyed this & I will be making again! Thank you for the recipe.
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Marianne!
My first time making this and it was amazing.!!! Ty for sharing…
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
This is a great soup!
So glad you enjoyed it! :)
Love it
My family LOVES this! I have a few picky eaters so that is saying a lot. I would give it 5 stars, but there is a good amount of prep involved.
I’m so glad it was a hit in your family! Thanks for you comment and review Emily!
This is great, but one large chicken breast is plenty!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Definitely a keeper. Hubby loved it and ate two bowls.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review! :)
This was an amazing recipe! Has anyone tried to use half & half instead of heavy cream? If so, what did it do the flavor?
This was SO good! My daughter helped me make it and we pretty much had everything on hand except we were out of carrots. So tasty and will make it again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Patti! :)
So yummy and not difficult at all!
Do you think this soup would freeze well?
I haven’t tried freezing this, but I’m not sure how well it would freeze with the gnocchi and spinach.
Going todo the gnocchi soup recipe. Looks easy and I know I’ll enjoy.
This is our family’s favorite soup – and we are a big soup loving family with some picky eaters (my kids are 9, 8, 6), so that is saying something! I have passed the recipe on to many people & all have loved it. I think it definitely belongs in your next cookbook! Thank you for so many wonderful recipes! Please keep them coming – I try almost all of them.?
Thank you so much for your sweet comment Dawn! I’m so glad this is a favorite in your family. :)
It looks so creamy! I love it!!
These are two of my favorite things… OMG so dreamy and delicious.
This soup sounds amazingly delicious! I love how creamy it looks :)
Hope you enjoy! :)
I am always looking for a delicious soul warming soup during the fall. I think I have found my new go-to!