Olive Garden Copycat Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Here’s a fantastic Olive Garden Copycat Chicken & Gnocchi Soup recipe! This creamy, comforting soup is loaded with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a flavorful broth, just like the one served at Olive Garden.

Olive Garden Copycat Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
• 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
• 1 pound potato gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, for added depth)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)

Instructions:

Cook the Vegetables:

1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil (or butter) over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Make the Base:

2. Add the flour: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux. This will thicken the soup.
3. Add the broth: Gradually pour in the chicken broth, whisking to ensure there are no lumps from the flour. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Add the Chicken and Gnocchi:

4. Add the chicken and herbs: Stir in the shredded chicken, thyme, parsley, and nutmeg (if using). Let the soup simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
5. Cook the gnocchi: Add the gnocchi to the soup and cook for 3-4 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until the gnocchi float to the top.

Finish the Soup:

6. Add the cream and spinach: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half-and-half (or heavy cream) and chopped spinach. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the soup is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve:

7. Serve hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Recipe Notes:

• Gnocchi options: You can use store-bought gnocchi, or if you’re feeling ambitious, you can make homemade gnocchi from scratch.
• Chicken options: Rotisserie chicken works well here for convenience, or you can cook and shred your own chicken breasts.
• Thickening the soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add an extra tablespoon of flour or reduce the broth by 1/2 cup.
• Vegetarian option: Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth for a delicious vegetarian version of this soup.

Time and Temperature:

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 25-30 minutes
• Total time: 35-40 minutes

Enjoy this creamy, comforting Olive Garden Copycat Chicken & Gnocchi Soup at home. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner!