Chicken gnocchi soup is a hearty and flavorful soup made with gnocchi, chicken, carrots and spinach in a smooth and creamy broth.
This delicious chicken gnocchi soup is a copycat of one of my favorite soups at Olive garden and is bursting with texture and flavor! Make this recipe using our homemade gnocchi, stove top chicken breast, and throw some garlic knots on the side for dipping.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 The perfect blend of flavors from the vegetables and the gnocchi.
📌 A creamy comfort food soup perfect for chilly fall days.
📌 A delicious version of your favorite restaurant soup made right at home.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredients
- Oil – Olive oil for sauteing the vegetables.
- Onion – Yellow onion, diced.
- Celery – Sliced.
- Carrots – Shredded.
- Chicken – Cooked and chopped.
- Garlic – Fresh minced.
- Thyme – Dried.
- Broth – Chicken broth.
- Gnocchi – Fresh or frozen.
- Spinach – Roughly chopped.
- Half and half – For making the broth creamy and delicious.
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
This is a great recipe to use up leftover rotisserie chicken or leftover holiday turkey!
How do you make chicken gnocchi soup? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, heat the oil in a large pot, add the onion, celery and carrots and cook until the veggies are tender and the onions are translucent.
⭐ Next, add the chicken, garlic and thyme and cook for a few more minutes.
⭐ Then, stir in the broth and increase the heat to bring mixture to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook for a few more minutes.
⭐ Finally, reduce heat to a simmer and stir in the spinach and half & half. Cook until the spinach has wilted and the soup is heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
This is our version of the popular chicken gnocchi soup from Olive Garden – which do you prefer?
Preparation
What is gnocchi?
Gnocchi is a potato pasta that is also known as an Italian dumpling. It is made with flour, eggs, salt and potatoes. Try our gnocchi recipe!
Should I use homemade or store bought gnocchi?
Either will work fine, you can use our homemade gnocchi recipe for the best flavor or if you are short on time, you can throw in some store bought gnocchi and still enjoy all the rich flavors.
How do I know when the gnocchi is cooked through?
Gnocchi will float to the top when it is fully cooked. Watch for this after adding the gnocchi, stirring gently while it cooks.
So fully of texture and flavor!
Storage and leftovers
How long does chicken gnocchi soup last?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Can I freeze chicken gnocchi soup?
You can freeze this recipe but the texture of the broth will be slightly grainy when reheated. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container, freeze up to 3 months.
What is it about good bread and soup that makes the perfect combination.
Tips and tricks
✅ If using store bought gnocchi, dried gnocchi found in the pasta aisle will work better than frozen gnocchi.
✅ Switch up the flavors and use ground Italian sausage instead of chicken.
✅ If you like a thicker soup, add a tablespoon of flour to the vegetables while they’re sauteing to help thicken the broth as it cooks.
✅ Use rotisserie chicken to save on time!
Pillowy gnocchi is the perfect pasta for this soup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a different type of broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, you can use vegetable broth or even a combination of chicken and vegetable broth if you prefer. It may alter the flavor slightly, so choose the broth that best complements your taste preferences.
Is it possible to make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the soup in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving. Just make sure to reheat it gently on the stove, stirring occasionally, to prevent the cream from separating.
For best results, add the gnocchi when re-heating, not when initially preparing the soup.
Are there any gluten-free alternatives for the gnocchi?
If you need a gluten-free option, look for gluten-free gnocchi available in some grocery stores or specialty markets. Alternatively, you can try making gluten-free gnocchi at home using gluten-free flour and potatoes.
Can I use a dairy-free substitute for the half & half?
Yes, you can use dairy-free alternatives like almond milk, or cashew cream to achieve a creamy texture without dairy. Keep in mind that this substitution may slightly alter the taste and texture of the soup.
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the soup by adding your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. Just ensure they are cooked to your desired tenderness before serving.
Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?
Certainly! Leftover cooked turkey works as a great substitute for chicken in this recipe. It’s an excellent option, especially after Thanksgiving or other turkey-centered meals.
Feel free to pile this full of extra veggies!
What to eat with chicken gnocchi soup (serving suggestions)
Chicken gnocchi soup is one of my favorite soup recipes and I love that we can enjoy it at home instead of at the restaurant. We like a good crusty French bread with this soup which also goes well with some bread dipping oil, 7 layer salad, and biscoff truffles.
More delicious soup recipes to try
- Dill pickle soup
- Ham and bean soup
- Taco soup
- Pumpkin soup
- Beer cheese soup
- Stuffed pepper soup
- See all our homemade soup recipes!
Other awesome chicken recipes
- BBQ chicken nachos
- Bourbon chicken
- 40 clove garlic chicken
- Caprese chicken
- White chicken enchiladas
- Chicken parmesan
- See all our chicken dinner recipes!
😍😍😍
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron pot – This is a great and super versatile pot that can be used in both the oven and on the stove top.
- OXO Good Grips Garlic Press – Gone are the days of mincing your garlic by hand! This awesome garlic press can both mince and slice! We heart it.
- Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
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How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 stalks celery sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound gnocchi
- 1 cup roughly chopped spinach
- 1 cup half and half
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook until the veggies are tender and the onions are translucent.
- Add the chicken, garlic, and thyme and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in the broth and increase heat to bring to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, stir in the spinach and half & half. Cook until heated through and the spinach has just wilted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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Chicken Gnocchi Soup
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Allyson Zea says
I always make this for potlucks and first time mom’s! Everyone loves it!
jess says
I had some gnocchi and chicken and wanted to do something different, so this was perfect! thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
Olivia says
This is one of my favorite dishes to order when I go to Olive Garden so I’m really happy I found this copycat recipe! It was so easy to make and tasted even better than the real thing!
Virginia Daniel says
Delicious, flavorful and easy to make. Definitely a keeper & we will be making this again! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us!