Olive Garden Style Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

There’s nothing quite like a warm, creamy bowl of chicken and gnocchi soup to bring instant comfort, and if you’re a fan of the beloved Olive Garden version, you’re going to fall hard for this homemade take. This soup delivers everything you love about the classic—velvety broth, soft pillowy gnocchi, tender seasoned chicken, and fresh spinach—but with even more flavor and freshness. It’s cozy, hearty, and incredibly satisfying.

One of the best parts about making this soup at home is how simple the process is. Everything comes together in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. The base is a buttery, silky mixture of broth and cream infused with aromatic herbs like thyme and Italian seasoning. Shredded carrots, diced celery, and onions build a savory foundation that tastes like it’s been simmering all day, even though this recipe cooks in under an hour.

The textures in this soup are what keep people coming back to it. Gnocchi cooks directly in the soup and absorbs just enough flavor while still remaining perfectly tender. The spinach wilts beautifully into the hot broth, adding color, nutrients, and a balanced freshness. Every spoonful gives you a mix of creamy broth, soft dumplings, delicate greens, and well-seasoned chicken.

This dish is also extremely versatile. If you prefer a lighter soup, simply add a splash of extra chicken broth to thin it out. If you want it richer, let it reduce a little longer or stir in an extra splash of cream. You can even change up the protein by using rotisserie chicken, turkey, or sautéed Italian sausage. The base is flexible enough to adapt to whatever you’re craving.

It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or even meal prep. The flavors deepen after sitting overnight, making this an even better next-day lunch option. And since it reheats so well, it’s one of those soups you’ll want to keep in rotation all fall and winter long.

How to Store Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Proper storage keeps this soup tasting fresh and delicious:

Refrigerator:

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Because gnocchi continues to absorb liquid as it sits, the soup will thicken naturally over time.

Freezer:

Cream-based soups can sometimes separate when frozen, so freezing is possible but not ideal. If you want to freeze it anyway, freeze the soup without the gnocchi, then add fresh gnocchi when reheating.

Reheating Instructions

Stovetop (Best Option):

Add the soup to a pot over medium-low heat. If it has thickened, stir in a splash of broth or cream until it reaches your preferred consistency. Warm until heated through.

Microwave:

Place a portion in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 45-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm. Add a little broth or water if needed to loosen the soup.

Avoid boiling during reheating—gentle heat keeps the cream from separating and the gnocchi from getting too soft.

Serving Ideas

This soup is delicious on its own, but you can take it to the next level with:

• Crusty French bread or garlic bread
• A light side salad with balsamic or Italian vinaigrette
• Grilled cheese or a toasted panini
• Freshly grated Parmesan on top

It also pairs perfectly with simple roasted vegetables for a fuller meal.

If you love the restaurant version of this classic, this homemade Olive Garden–style Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is going to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s comforting, creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Scroll to the recipe card below to get the full printable recipe and start cooking!

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Olive Garden Style Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Olive Garden–Style Chicken & Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, cozy one-pot soup loaded with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and fragrant herbs. It comes together in under 45 minutes and tastes even better than the restaurant version. Perfect for weeknight comfort or meal prep!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Herbes de Provence

For the Soup

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 stick 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 medium onion diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 2 carrots shredded
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 6 oz fresh spinach
• 16 oz potato gnocchi

Instructions

Instructions

Cook the Chicken

1. In a bowl, season the diced chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Herbes de Provence.
2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes.
4. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.

Make the Soup

1. Reduce heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pot.
2. Add the onion, celery, and shredded carrots. Sauté for about 4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
3. Stir in the flour until it disappears and the vegetables look coated.
4. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine.
5. Add Italian seasoning, thyme, and nutmeg.
6. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then immediately lower to a simmer.
7. Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Add the spinach and gnocchi.
8. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender and the soup thickens to your liking.
9. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
10. Serve warm with garlic breadsticks!

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