Here’s a delicious Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe that captures all the creamy, comforting flavors of the original. It’s hearty, filling, and perfect for any day!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, shredded or finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half-and-half (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp parsley (dried or fresh)
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp pepper, or to taste
- 1 package (16 oz) potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Vegetables
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Make the Soup Base
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to form a roux. This will help thicken the soup.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step 3: Add Cream and Chicken
- Stir in the half-and-half (or cream) and bring the soup back to a simmer.
- Add the shredded chicken, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Let the soup simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi
- Add the gnocchi to the soup and cook according to the package instructions (typically 3-4 minutes) until the gnocchi float to the top.
Step 5: Add Spinach and Serve
- Stir in the baby spinach and let it wilt into the soup.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary (add more salt or pepper).
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips:
- Cooked rotisserie chicken works well for this recipe if you want to save time.
- For an extra creamy texture, you can use heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
- Frozen gnocchi can also be used if that’s what you have on hand, just adjust cooking time accordingly.
Enjoy your hearty and creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup just like Olive Garden’s!
