Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something cozy but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. This Olive Garden style chicken gnocchi soup hits all the comfort food buttons with minimal fuss and maximum slurp potential. If you love a good soup marathon and want to graduate from boxed broth, try pairing this with a recipe for fluffy noodles like the one I bookmarked earlier for homemade chicken noodle goodness. Trust me, your spoon will thank you.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

This soup is creamy, pillowy, and practically cuddly in a bowl. The gnocchi are like little clouds that soak up flavor and refuse to be boring. It is idiot proof in the best way possible even if you multi task and check your phone five times while cooking.

Want a meal that feels fancy but takes less time than convincing roommates to do dishes? This is it. The ingredients are normal pantry items, and the steps are straightforward. No culinary wizardry required. IMO it is one of those recipes that makes people believe you actually know how to cook.

Also, if you are in a soup mood but want variety, you can swap the poultry vibe for something else and still get the cozy effect. If you are wondering about other classic soup formulas, I also like keeping a reliable simple chicken noodle recipe ready for days when nostalgia calls because classic neither lies nor judges.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 tablespoon olive oil because everything starts better with a slick of oil
• 1 medium onion diced nice and small so it melts into the soup
• 2 cloves garlic minced because garlic is not optional, sorry not sorry
• 2 medium carrots diced for color and crunch without drama
• 2 stalks celery diced for that subtle savory backbone
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme for a warm herbal whisper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil for a hint of Italian vibes
• 6 cups chicken broth the flavorful base, yes use real broth not mystery water
• 2 cups cooked chicken shredded, rotisserie works like a charm
• 1 package 16 oz gnocchi chewy little potatoes of joy
• 2 cups fresh spinach because greens need love too
• 1 cup heavy cream for that silky finish that makes everything better
• to taste salt because you will taste and adjust like a pro
• to taste black pepper for mild sass
• for serving grated Parmesan cheese optional but highly recommended

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Keep the veggies moving so they do not brown too fast.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Garlic cooks fast so do not wander off.
3. Add the dried thyme and basil, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Give it a stir and enjoy that aroma.
4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, and add the shredded chicken and gnocchi. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the top and are tender. Watch closely so you do not overcook the gnocchi.
5. Stir in the fresh spinach and heavy cream, cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cream warms the flavor and makes the soup feel luxurious.
6. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Grab a big spoon and do not be shy about seconds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking gnocchi and pasta behave the same. They cook faster and get mushy if you ignore them. Do not overcook your gnocchi.
• Salt panic. Adding too much salt early is a rookie move. Taste as you go and adjust at the end.
• Using low quality broth. Water plus herbs does not equal rich chicken broth. Spend a little on good broth or use homemade stock. Your future self will thank you.
• Letting the cream boil hard after adding it. It can separate. Keep it gentle and just warm through.
• Forgetting to shred the chicken. Big clumps of chicken feel lazy. Shred it for texture and even bites.
• Skipping the fresh spinach. Yes you can, but your bowl will look sad and oddly pale.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No heavy cream? Swap in half and half or full fat milk plus a tablespoon of butter. It will be a tad lighter but still cozy. FYI the texture changes slightly but it still works.
• Want vegetarian? Use vegetable broth and toss in chickpeas for protein. The gnocchi will still bring the comfort.
• No gnocchi in the pantry? Use small pasta like orecchiette or mini shells, but cook them separately and add right before serving to avoid mush.
• Rotisserie chicken feels like a cheat but it is the best kind of cheat. If you want to poach your own, simmer chicken breasts gently in broth for 12 minutes then shred.
• Looking for another soup to repeat the cozy magic soon? I have a solid, straightforward base recipe you can use as a template for many soups including chicken noodle variations if you want another reliable soup formula.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q What if my gnocchi is still hard after 7 minutes
A Keep simmering and test every minute. Some store gnocchi are denser. Once they float and feel pillowy the texture is right. Patience wins.

Q Can I freeze this soup
A You can freeze the soup before you add the cream and spinach. Freeze in portions and add greens and cream when you reheat for best texture. Cream sometimes separates after freezing.

Q Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh
A Yes but thaw and drain it well. Frozen spinach packs more water so squeeze it dry or the soup will get watery. I prefer fresh for the pop and color.

Q Can I make this spicy
A Absolutely. Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce when you add the broth. Start small and work up. Spice plays nicely here.

Q How do I make this lighter
A Use half and half or whole milk instead of heavy cream and reduce the amount by a quarter. You can also skip the cream and blend a ladleful of the soup for body.

Q Will store bought gnocchi taste weird
A Not at all. Most store gnocchi are great. Look for potato based options and avoid the weird shelf stable things if you want the best texture.

Q Any tips for leftover texture
A Reheat gently on the stove. If the soup thickens too much add a splash of broth. Fresh spinach wilts down so you can add more when reheating.

Final Thoughts

You just made a bowl of comfort that looks and tastes like you put in heroic effort but actually took less than an hour. Now go impress someone or yourself with this warm, creamy goodness. You earned a second bowl and maybe dessert. Cook it, enjoy it, brag about it a little.

Olive Garden Style Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free, Dairy

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Description

A creamy, comforting chicken gnocchi soup that is easy to make with normal pantry items and no fuss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
3. Add the dried thyme and basil, then pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
4. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer, and add the shredded chicken and gnocchi. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the top and are tender.
5. Stir in the fresh spinach and heavy cream, cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Be careful not to overcook the gnocchi. Use quality chicken broth for the best flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: soup, comfort food, gnocchi