Experience the warmth and flavor of Olive Garden’s beloved soup right in your own kitchen! This exceptional copycat Chicken and Gnocchi Soup recipe delivers a creamy, comforting, and deeply satisfying bowl, brimming with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and pillowy potato gnocchi.
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The Ultimate Homemade Olive Garden Copycat Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
There’s truly nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of soup to chase away the chill on a cold evening. It’s a culinary hug, a simple pleasure that transforms an ordinary night into a cozy, memorable experience. Our homemade Chicken and Gnocchi Soup perfectly embodies this sentiment – it’s a delightful replica of a restaurant favorite, designed for maximum comfort and flavor. Pair this rich and creamy soup with some freshly baked Easy Dinner Rolls or a generous slice of crusty French Bread, and you’ll have the ideal, soul-warming meal for any cold night.
I must confess, I have a deep appreciation for a well-executed copycat recipe. There’s a certain thrill in successfully replicating iconic restaurant dishes from the comfort of your own kitchen, often with fresher ingredients and tailored to your personal taste. Over the years, we’ve had immense fun recreating favorites such as Olive Garden’s hearty Zuppa Toscana, those irresistible Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits, California Pizza Kitchen’s famous BBQ Chicken Pizza, and Chili’s popular Southwest Egg Rolls, among many others.
Why Master Restaurant Favorites at Home?
The allure of a copycat recipe extends far beyond mere imitation. Crafting these dishes at home offers numerous benefits that elevate your dining experience. Firstly, you gain complete control over the quality and freshness of your ingredients. You can select organic produce, choose leaner cuts of meat, and adjust sodium or fat levels to suit your dietary preferences. This not only results in a healthier meal but often one that tastes superior due to the freshness of its components. Secondly, making your own copycat versions can be significantly more economical than dining out, allowing you to enjoy gourmet flavors without breaking the bank. Furthermore, there’s an immense sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from successfully recreating a beloved dish. It transforms cooking from a chore into a rewarding culinary adventure, allowing you to customize flavors and share exceptional meals with family and friends without the hustle and bustle of a restaurant setting. This homemade Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is a prime example of how a simple recipe can bring restaurant-quality comfort directly to your dinner table.
And speaking of favorites, this Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup truly stands out as one of my absolute top copycat recipes. Its velvety texture, combined with a symphony of savory flavors, makes it an unforgettable dish that I find myself returning to again and again throughout the year. It’s a testament to how humble ingredients, when combined with a touch of culinary love, can create something truly extraordinary and profoundly comforting.
The Irresistible Charm of Gnocchi in Your Soup
A key component that makes this soup so uniquely satisfying is the inclusion of gnocchi. These small, soft, dough dumplings, traditionally made from potato, are a beloved element of Italian cuisine. Unlike typical pasta, gnocchi offers a delightful, slightly chewy texture that softens beautifully when simmered in the creamy broth, absorbing all the wonderful flavors. Each pillowy bite provides a comforting counterpoint to the tender chicken and crisp vegetables. For those new to cooking with gnocchi, they are readily available in most grocery stores, often found in the dry pasta aisle, making them incredibly convenient to use. Their subtle potato flavor complements the rich, savory profile of the soup without overpowering it, adding a substantial and pleasing heartiness that transforms this dish from a simple soup into a complete and fulfilling meal. It’s this distinctive touch that truly makes our copycat Chicken and Gnocchi Soup an authentic recreation.
Essential Ingredients for Your Comforting Copycat Soup
The secret to any outstanding soup lies in the quality and balance of its ingredients. For our Olive Garden Copycat Chicken and Gnocchi Soup, each element plays a vital role in building the rich, creamy texture and deep, satisfying flavor that makes it so irresistible. Here’s a detailed look at the ingredients you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:
- Butter & Olive Oil: This classic combination is the starting point for our flavor base. The butter contributes a rich, nutty depth, while the olive oil provides a fruity undertone and helps to raise the smoke point, preventing the butter from burning during sautéing. This blend ensures your aromatic vegetables cook perfectly and absorb maximum flavor.
- Onions, Celery, Carrots, and Garlic: This indispensable trio, often known as a mirepoix, forms the aromatic backbone of countless delicious soups and stews. When finely diced and gently sautéed, these vegetables release their natural sweetness and savory notes, creating a complex and comforting foundation for the entire soup. For optimal taste, always choose fresh garlic cloves and mince them just before adding them to the pot; the difference in potency and flavor compared to pre-mined varieties is remarkable.
- Fresh Thyme: Thyme is the hero herb in this recipe, infusing the soup with its distinctive earthy, slightly peppery, and subtly floral aroma. Fresh thyme sprigs are always preferred for their vibrant flavor. If fresh is not an option, you can substitute with about 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme. Just remember to crush the dried herb between your fingers before adding it to the pot. This simple technique helps release its essential oils, maximizing its aromatic impact.
- Salt and Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are crucial for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors in the soup. Do not be shy about seasoning! Taste as you go, and make sure to give a final adjustment of salt and freshly ground black pepper before serving. A perfectly seasoned soup can truly elevate the entire dish, bringing out the best in every ingredient.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour serves a critical purpose in this recipe by acting as a thickening agent. When whisked into the sautéed vegetables and butter, it creates a roux, which is essential for giving the soup its luscious, creamy body and preventing it from being too watery. Cooking the flour for a minute or two is important to remove any raw flour taste.
- Chicken Broth & Half and Half: High-quality chicken broth provides the savory, umami-rich liquid base for the soup, building a robust flavor profile. Choose a good brand, or use homemade broth if available. The half and half, a blend of milk and cream, is what contributes to the soup’s signature velvety texture and rich creaminess without making it excessively heavy. For those seeking a richer soup, heavy cream can be substituted, while milk can be used for a lighter version, though it will result in a slightly thinner consistency.
- Cooked Chicken: For unparalleled convenience and speed, utilizing pre-cooked, shredded chicken is a fantastic shortcut. It’s a versatile ingredient that’s great to keep on hand for various meals. Alternatively, a store-bought rotisserie chicken works wonderfully, offering tender, flavorful meat with minimal preparation. Simply shred or cube the chicken to your desired size.
- Potato Gnocchi: These soft, Italian potato dumplings are key to replicating the Olive Garden experience. Opt for dry, shelf-stable packaged gnocchi, which you’ll find in the pasta aisle. They cook quickly and perfectly in the simmering broth, becoming tender and absorbing the delicious flavors of the soup, adding that beloved comforting chewiness.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh baby spinach adds a vibrant burst of color, a hint of freshness, and a wealth of nutrients to the soup. Its tender leaves wilt quickly into the hot broth, becoming a seamless part of the dish. If you’re using mature spinach, remember to roughly chop it before adding to ensure it integrates well and is easy to eat. It provides a lovely, subtle bitterness that balances the soup’s richness.
Crafting Your Perfect Bowl: Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this delightful Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is a rewarding experience, and surprisingly simple! Follow these detailed steps to create a rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful soup that will impress everyone at your table:
- Sauté the Aromatic Base: Begin by placing a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted and is gently shimmering, add your diced onions, celery, carrots, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Stir frequently and cook these aromatics for 5-10 minutes, or until they have softened significantly and become fragrant. This step is crucial for building the foundational flavors of your soup. Season lightly with salt and pepper during this stage to start layering flavors.
- Build the Creamy Broth: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the softened vegetables. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flour to cook thoroughly and lose its raw taste, forming a roux. Next, slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to ensure no lumps form and the mixture is smooth. As you whisk, be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits (fond) – these are packed with flavor and will contribute immensely to the soup’s richness. Gradually whisk in the half and half until the soup is smooth and creamy. Stir in the cooked, shredded chicken. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 20 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and the soup to thicken slightly.
- Add Gnocchi and Spinach: After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes, add the potato gnocchi directly into the pot. Cook according to the package directions, which usually takes only 2-3 minutes, until the gnocchi are tender and typically float to the surface. Immediately after the gnocchi are cooked, stir in the baby spinach. Continue to cook for just 1-2 minutes more, or until the spinach has completely wilted into the hot soup, adding a pop of color and freshness.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Before serving, perform a final taste test. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. A final touch of seasoning can truly enhance all the complex flavors. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish if desired, and serve immediately for a truly comforting and delicious meal!
Watch the Recipe Video
Watch the video above to see just how simple and satisfying it is to bring this creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup to life in your own kitchen.
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
To ensure your homemade Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is nothing short of spectacular, here are some invaluable tips and tricks. These minor adjustments and considerations can significantly enhance the flavor, texture, and overall enjoyment of your culinary creation:
- Mastering the Seasoning: While the recipe provides a guide, remember that seasoning is highly personal. Always taste your soup at various stages of cooking and especially before serving. A little extra salt can often wake up dormant flavors, and fresh cracked black pepper adds a wonderful aromatic kick. Different brands of broth vary in sodium content, so trusting your palate is key to perfect balance.
- Dairy Swaps and Adjustments: Half and half provides the ideal richness for this soup. However, you have flexibility. For an even more luxurious and decadent soup, substitute heavy cream. If you’re aiming for a lighter version, whole milk or even 2% milk can be used, though be aware that the soup’s consistency might be slightly thinner. If using lighter milk, you can whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a splash of cold milk at the end to achieve a thicker broth if desired.
- Spinach Alternatives: While spinach adds color and nutrients, it’s not essential if you’re not a fan. You can omit it entirely. Alternatively, feel free to substitute with other leafy greens such as finely chopped kale or Swiss chard. If using kale, a good practice is to massage it briefly with your hands to tenderize it, and add it a few minutes earlier than you would spinach, as it takes longer to soften.
- Choosing the Right Pot: For the best results, I highly recommend using an enameled Dutch oven for this recipe. Its heavy bottom and superior heat distribution ensure the vegetables cook evenly without sticking, and the soup simmers perfectly, allowing flavors to deepen beautifully. Any large, heavy-bottomed soup pot will work, but a Dutch oven truly excels.
- Make-Ahead and Storage Solutions: This soup often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to fully meld. You can prepare the base of the soup (without adding the gnocchi and spinach) up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, gently reheat the base, then add freshly cooked gnocchi and spinach just before serving to maintain their optimal texture and vibrancy. While technically freezable, the dairy in the soup might separate slightly upon thawing and reheating, and gnocchi can become overly soft.
- Enhance with Nutmeg: For an authentic Italian touch and an extra layer of warmth, consider grating a tiny pinch of fresh nutmeg into the soup along with the half and half. It beautifully complements creamy sauces and chicken dishes, adding subtle complexity.
- Garnish for Perfection: Elevate the presentation and flavor with a simple garnish. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a swirl of extra virgin olive oil, or a few fresh thyme leaves before serving can make a significant difference, adding both visual appeal and an extra layer of deliciousness.
More Delicious and Comforting Soup Recipes to Enjoy
If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting nature of this Chicken and Gnocchi Soup, you’ll be delighted to explore our other fantastic soup recipes. Perfect for any season, these dishes promise warmth, flavor, and satisfaction:
- Hearty Slow Cooker Chili
- Creamy Turkey Noodle Soup
- Velvety Butternut Squash Soup
- Rich Crockpot Baked Potato Soup
- Classic Hearty Beef Stew
- Flavorful French Onion Soup
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Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups half and half
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
- 1 pound gnocchi prepared according to the package directions
- 2-3 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots, garlic and thyme and cook until softened, 5-10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Slowly whisk in the half and half. Stir in the chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add in the prepared gnocchi and spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted.
- Taste soup and season with salt and pepper before serving.