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Better Than Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Chicken Gnocchi Soup is even better than the restaurant version! It’s creamy, comforting, and packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, fresh spinach, and aromatic veggies. A perfect meal to warm you up on a chilly day!


Ingredients

Scale
    1. 34 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
    2. 1 stalk celery, chopped
    3. ½ white onion, diced
    4. 2 teaspoons minced garlic
    5. ½ cup shredded carrots
    6. 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
    7. 2 cups half-and-half or heavy cream
    8. 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    9. ½ teaspoon dried parsley
    10. ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for depth of flavor)
    11. 16 oz package of potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
    12. 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
    13. Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnish:

    1. Grated Parmesan cheese
    2. Crusty bread or garlic bread on the side

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients:
    • Cook and dice the chicken breasts, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper for extra flavor.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics:
    • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add the chopped celery, onion, and shredded carrots. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
    • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Build the Soup Base:
    • Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
    • Stir in the thyme, parsley, and optional nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add the Chicken and Gnocchi:
    • Stir in the cooked, diced chicken.
    • Gently add the gnocchi to the pot and simmer for 3–5 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender and float to the top.
  5. Add the Cream and Spinach:
    • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half-and-half or heavy cream. Let the soup warm through but avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
    • Add the chopped spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until wilted.
  6. Serve:
    • Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, and serve with crusty or garlic bread on the side.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can roast the chicken before dicing it.
  • The soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stove.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more cream or reduce the broth to make it richer.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg