Velvety Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Featured in Big pots of steaming, hearty soup.

This rich soup blends pillowy gnocchi, juicy chicken, and fresh veggies with a flavorful, creamy broth. Inspired by the iconic Olive Garden recipe.

alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:15:51 GMT
A bowl of creamy gnocchi soup with tender chicken pieces, carrots, and spinach. Pin it
A bowl of creamy gnocchi soup with tender chicken pieces, carrots, and spinach. | Tasteofsavor.com

This homestyle creamy chicken gnocchi soup captures all the comforting flavors of the beloved restaurant classic. Made with tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a velvety broth, it's the perfect cozy meal for any occasion.

What Makes This Soup Special

Every spoonful delivers restaurant-quality taste in a homemade version. The combination of hearty ingredients and silky smooth texture makes this soup ideal for family dinners or casual entertaining.

Essential Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter: For sautéing aromatics
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil: Prevents sticking and adds flavor
  • 1 medium onion: Finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks: Diced for texture
  • 2 garlic cloves: Minced
  • 2 tablespoons flour: To thicken the soup
  • 4 cups chicken broth: Forms the soup base
  • 2 cups heavy cream: Creates rich texture
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs: For seasoning
  • Salt and pepper: To taste
  • 2 cups cooked chicken: Shredded or diced
  • 16 ounces potato gnocchi: For hearty texture
  • 2 cups fresh spinach: Roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese: For serving

Cooking Instructions

  1. In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until vegetables soften.
  2. Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly to make a roux. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
  3. Gradually whisk in broth and cream until smooth.
  4. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add chicken and gnocchi. Continue simmering 5-7 minutes until gnocchi is tender.
  6. Stir in spinach and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted. Serve hot with grated parmesan.
A bowl of creamy soup filled with gnocchi, chicken, spinach and carrots, garnished with black pepper. Pin it
A bowl of creamy soup filled with gnocchi, chicken, spinach and carrots, garnished with black pepper. | Tasteofsavor.com

Chef's Tips

Save time by using rotisserie chicken. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream. Add a pinch of nutmeg to enhance flavors. If soup becomes too thick, thin with additional broth to reach desired consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use raw chicken in this soup?

Absolutely! You can cook diced raw chicken right in the soup. Toss it in after the veggies and let it cook for 5-7 minutes before adding the flour.

→ How should I store the soup?

Keep the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on medium heat, and add a splash of broth if it seems too thick.

→ Can I freeze this soup?

Freezing isn’t ideal since the cream may separate, and the gnocchi could get mushy. It’s better to whip it up fresh and enjoy right away.

→ Can I swap out the heavy cream?

You can use light cream instead, but the soup will lose some of its richness. Avoid milk, as it’ll make the soup too thin and not as creamy.

→ Do homemade gnocchi work with this dish?

Homemade gnocchi are a great choice! Just make sure they’re firm enough to hold up in the soup without falling apart.

Creamy Gnocchi Soup

Try this comforting and tasty creamy chicken gnocchi soup, a dish influenced by the famous Olive Garden restaurant.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 6 Servings (2.5 liters of soup)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons of butter.
02 1 medium onion, diced.
03 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
04 1 cup of celery, chopped.
05 2 garlic cloves, minced.
06 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour.
07 1 liter of chicken broth.
08 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
09 500 ml of heavy cream.
10 Salt and pepper, to taste.
11 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken.
12 450 g of potato gnocchi.
13 1/4 cup of grated parmesan.
14 1 cup of fresh spinach, chopped.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the onion, celery, and garlic, letting them cook until soft.

Step 02

Sprinkle the flour over the veggies and stir it around to create a roux. Cook it for about a minute.

Step 03

Slowly pour in the chicken broth and cream while whisking to keep it smooth.

Step 04

Stir in the Italian seasoning, along with some salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, giving it an occasional stir.

Step 05

Stir in the shredded chicken and gnocchi, allowing it to simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Add the spinach and cook for an extra 1-2 minutes.

Notes

  1. Inspired by the famous Olive Garden soup.
  2. Pair it with fresh bread for a complete meal.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot.
  • Whisk.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy products.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Total Fat: 32 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38 g
  • Protein: 24 g