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Our Ultimate Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (An Olive Garden-Inspired Classic)

Are you in search of the ultimate bowl of comfort? We all know the feeling—that desire for a meal that feels like a warm embrace on a cool day, one that’s rich with creamy, savoury notes and wholesome goodness. For many of us, the famous Chicken Gnocchi Soup from Olive Garden perfectly fits the bill. But what if we told you that you could capture that heart-warming experience in your very own kitchen, with surprising ease?

You heard us right! We are here to walk you through creating the most delectable, velvety, and deeply satisfying Chicken Gnocchi Soup imaginable. This recipe is our tribute to true comfort food, artfully blending tender morsels of chicken, light potato gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a luxurious broth that will have everyone at the table asking for more. It serves as a complete meal in one bowl, ideal for a swift weeknight supper or a relaxed weekend lunch. There’s no need to go out; the finest version of this classic is ready and waiting for you to create.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• A Flawless Olive Garden Homage: We have meticulously balanced the flavours and creamy consistency to mirror the restaurant favourite. Now, you can indulge in this much-loved soup whenever you wish, prepared with fresh ingredients you know and trust.
• A Genuine One-Pot Wonder: The entire dish is crafted in a single pot, from browning the chicken to the final simmer. This ensures a wonderfully straightforward cooking experience and, even better, very little washing up. It’s a definite One-Pot Meal champion.
• The Epitome of Comfort Food: Velvety, substantial, and utterly gratifying, this soup is the very definition of Comfort Food. It serves as the perfect antidote to a dreary day or a hectic week.
• On the Table in Under 45 Minutes: Despite its wonderfully indulgent character, this recipe is remarkably quick. You can serve up a gourmet-standard soup in less time than it takes to order a takeaway.
• Wonderfully Versatile: We consider this recipe a brilliant starting point for your own kitchen experiments. Feel free to add extra vegetables, try a different protein, or tweak the seasonings to truly make it your own.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into small pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 litre good-quality chicken stock or broth
• 500g potato gnocchi (shelf-stable or refrigerated)
• 300ml double cream
• 150g fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (optional, for a thicker soup)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

How to Make Our Delicious Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Crafting this culinary delight is a refreshingly simple affair. We have organised the method into clear, easy-to-follow steps to guarantee your soup is perfect on every occasion. Just follow our lead, and you will be serving up bowls of creamy perfection before you know it.

1. Sauté the Vegetables

   Begin by placing a large pot or a Dutch oven over a medium flame and adding the olive oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, introduce the chopped onion, carrots, and celery (often called a mirepoix). Allow them to cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are tender and the onion has turned translucent. This initial stage is crucial for developing the deep, savoury base of your soup.

2. Cook the Chicken and Aromatics

   Next, add the diced chicken breast to the pot. Season it well with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring, until the chicken is nicely browned on all sides and fully cooked. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and oregano, and cook for one more minute until the aromas are released. Take care to ensure the garlic does not scorch.

3. Create the Soup Base

   Pour the chicken stock into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape any browned morsels from the bottom—this is a key source of flavour! Bring the liquid to a gentle boil before lowering the heat to maintain a steady simmer.

4. Cook the Gnocchi

   Carefully add the potato gnocchi to the simmering soup. Follow the cooking time on the package, which is usually around 3–5 minutes. The gnocchi are ready once they float to the top. They should have a soft, pillowy consistency, not a chewy one.

5. Add the Creamy Finish

   Turn the heat down to low. Gently pour in the double cream, stirring constantly to incorporate it smoothly. Let the soup warm through, but do not allow it to boil, as this might cause the cream to split. For a thicker consistency, this is the moment to mix in the cornflour slurry. Let it simmer for another minute or two until it reaches your desired thickness.

6. Wilt the Spinach and Serve

   To finish, stir in the fresh spinach. It may seem like a large amount initially, but it will quickly wilt into the hot soup within a minute or so. Have a taste and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Ladle the piping hot soup into bowls and finish with a generous grating of Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Tips for the Perfect Bowl

To help you transform your chicken gnocchi soup from merely good to truly exceptional, we have compiled a few of our most valued tips and suggestions.

Choosing Your Gnocchi

In most supermarkets, you will find both shelf-stable and refrigerated gnocchi. Either type works beautifully for this soup. The refrigerated variety often cooks slightly quicker and offers a softer, more delicate mouthfeel. Shelf-stable gnocchi are equally tasty and are ideal for keeping in your cupboard for when a soup craving suddenly appears. For a deeper dive into what makes perfect gnocchi, this guide from BBC Good Food is a fantastic read.

Getting the Creaminess Just Right

We opt for double cream due to its rich taste and stability at higher temperatures. If you prefer a lighter soup, single cream can be used, but you must be particularly careful not to let the soup boil after it’s been added. For an even thicker, more luxurious texture, you could make a simple roux at the start by whisking a couple of tablespoons of flour into the softened vegetables before adding the stock.

Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi

This is the most important principle when cooking with gnocchi! These little potato dumplings are cooked very quickly. If you overcook them, they will become mushy and have a rather unappealing texture. Watch them closely and take the pot off the heat as soon as they begin to rise to the surface.

What to Serve with Your Soup

While this soup is certainly a fulfilling meal in itself, pairing it with the right side can elevate the entire experience. We particularly enjoy soaking up every last bit of the creamy broth with a slice of warm, crusty bread or a soft breadstick. A simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette also offers a wonderful, fresh counterpoint to the soup’s richness.

If you enjoy comforting, Italian-inspired chicken recipes like this one, we are sure you will also fall in love with our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe. For another straightforward yet impressive weeknight dinner, our Bruschetta Chicken is a consistent favourite.

FAQ

A Bowl of Pure Comfort Awaits

And there you have it—a simple, sophisticated, and incredibly tasty #OliveGardenCopycat recipe that delivers a restaurant-level dining experience to your own home. This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is so much more than a simple dish; it’s an expression of warmth, comfort, and deep satisfaction. It is the ideal #SoupRecipe to feature in your meal rotation for busy weeknights, celebratory meals, or any time you fancy a bit of culinary indulgence.

So, why delay? Gather your ingredients, pop on your apron, and prepare to create a bowl of absolute happiness. We are confident that this recipe will earn a special place in your collection of family favourites.

Have you tried our Chicken Gnocchi Soup? We would be delighted to hear how it went! Please leave a comment below to tell us about your experience, or tag us in your photos on social media. Happy cooking!

Recipe Card

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 litre chicken stock
• 500g potato gnocchi
• 300ml double cream
• 150g fresh spinach
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 6-8 minutes until softened. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and oregano, and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
2. Pour in the chicken stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer. Add the gnocchi and cook according to package directions, typically 3-5 minutes, until they float to the surface.
3. Reduce heat to low and stir in the double cream until combined, ensuring the soup does not boil. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts completely. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley.

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