There’s something so comforting about a bowl of creamy, dreamy soup on a chilly evening, and this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe nails that cozy feeling right at home. It’s remarkably easy to make, tastes just like the restaurant version, and fills your kitchen with the most inviting aromas.

A bowl filled with thick creamy soup showing pieces of white pasta, bright green spinach leaves, thin orange carrot strips, and small pale green celery slices all mixed evenly in a light yellow cream base, with black pepper sprinkled on top; a silver spoon with a blue handle rests inside the white bowl, which is placed on a white marbled surface next to a striped towel in beige, brown, and white tones; photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I truly love this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe because it brings that restaurant-quality warmth and flavor into my kitchen without fuss or fancy ingredients. It’s become a go-to for cozy dinners and impresses every time I serve it to guests.

Authentic Flavor: The combination of garlic, Italian seasoning, and nutmeg perfectly mimics the beloved Olive Garden original.
Quick & Easy: You can pull it together in under 30 minutes, even on a busy weeknight.
Comforting Texture: The gnocchi adds a pillowy bite that’s simply irresistible.
Customizable: Easily adapt it with swaps or add-ins to suit your family’s tastes or dietary needs.

The image shows two white bowls filled with thick creamy soup. The soup has three main layers: a white creamy base, small pieces of light tan or pale white dumplings or noodles, thin orange strips of carrot, and green leafy spinach scattered on top. Black pepper is sprinkled over the soup, adding small black specks to the surface. The bowls sit on a white marbled surface. A striped cloth with brown, purple, blue, and white lines is placed near the top right, next to two silver spoons with dark blue handles. One spoon rests directly on the surface while the other on the striped cloth. There is also a clear glass with water and a small bowl with a golden seasoning or crumble near the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe plays a crucial role in building the layered, creamy, and savory profile that makes this soup so memorable. Let me walk you through the essentials.

Flat lay of a small bunch of fresh celery ribs sliced into thin quarters, a peeled small yellow onion halved and roughly chopped, a small pile of bright orange matchstick carrots, three uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small heap of pale all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear golden melted butter, another small white bowl with creamy white half-and-half, a portion of cooked white chicken pieces, a small white bowl of clear chicken broth, a few fresh bright green baby spinach leaves roughly chopped, a small white bowl of fine granulated sugar, a small white bowl of coarse kosher salt, a portion of fresh refrigerated potato gnocchi, a small white bowl of mixed dried Italian herbs, a small white bowl with black pepper, and a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg all neatly and symmetrically arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness better and adds rich creaminess to the base.
Celery: Adds that subtle aromatic crunch which balances the soft textures.
Yellow Onion: The sweetness from the onion softens and deepens the overall flavor.
Matchstick Carrots: They give a nice, gentle sweetness and vibrant color.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential here — it gives warmth and a punch without overpowering.
All-Purpose Flour: This acts as a thickener to build the soup’s creamy texture without heaviness.
Chicken Broth: A good-quality, low-sodium broth creates the savory backbone.
Half-and-Half: It achieves that rich creaminess without being overly heavy like heavy cream.
Cooked Chicken: Using finely chopped leftover or rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and adds hearty protein.
Granulated Sugar: An unexpected but important touch that balances acidity and rounds out flavors.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
Refrigerated Gnocchi: Soft and pillowy, it’s what makes this soup uniquely satisfying compared to traditional noodles.
Baby Spinach: Adds color, freshness, and a subtle earthiness at the end.
Dried Italian Seasoning: Classic herb blend that infuses familiar flavor notes effortlessly.
Black Pepper: For a touch of heat and complexity.
Ground Nutmeg: Just a pinch lends a warm, cozy nuance that really elevates the soup.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to keep this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe pretty classic, but it’s so forgiving that you can easily add your own spin. Don’t hesitate to tweak seasoning or swap veggies based on what’s fresh or what you have on hand.

Variation: I once swapped the gnocchi for small shells and added more spinach for extra greens—the soup still turned out luscious and delicious, so feel free to improvise.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of half-and-half, and olive oil for butter to suit dietary needs.
Spice Level: A little red pepper flakes stirred in adds a subtle kick if you want to wake up your taste buds.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sautéing the Aromatics

First things first, melt one tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Toss in the celery, onion, and carrots, stirring often. This part is so important — cook them until the vegetables are tender and the onion turns translucent, about five minutes. This builds your flavor base and softens everything perfectly. Then add the finely chopped garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until you catch that mouthwatering aroma.

Step 2: Making the Roux and Adding Broth

Next, add the remaining three tablespoons of butter. Keep stirring constantly until it’s melted and smooth—this prevents lumps. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a minute or so until the roux turns a pale golden brown and bubbles gently. This step thickens your soup beautifully. Then slowly whisk in the chicken broth and half-and-half, ensuring everything blends evenly.

Step 3: Adding Chicken and Seasonings

Stir in your finely chopped cooked chicken, sugar, and kosher salt. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. This simmering stage lets the flavors really meld together.

Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi and Finish with Spinach

Add the refrigerated gnocchi, stirring occasionally as they cook until tender, about three minutes. Then stir in the baby spinach, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and nutmeg. Let the spinach wilt for a couple more minutes while stirring often—this ensures it’s perfectly soft and evenly distributed. Serve it warm, and enjoy every creamy, comforting spoonful.

Top Tip

From my many attempts at perfecting this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe, the details really make a difference. Here are my best tips so you can recreate that luscious texture and deep flavor every single time.

Butter and Flour Ratio: Make sure to melt butter and stir in flour slowly to avoid lumps—this makes your soup silky smooth.
Don’t Overcook Gnocchi: Gnocchi cooks quickly, usually about three minutes; overcooking turns them mushy, so keep an eye on texture.
Use Fresh Garlic: It brings an unmistakable warmth and aroma that pre-minced just can’t match.
Simmer Gently: Letting the soup simmer gently lets the flavors develop naturally without boiling off the cream.

How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe

chicken and gnocchi soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this soup with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a few cracks of black pepper. Sometimes, I add a little chopped fresh parsley or basil for color and an herbal brightness that contrasts the creamy richness perfectly.

Side Dishes

Crusty bread is an absolute must for me—whether a warm baguette, garlic breadsticks, or toasted sourdough. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette also balances the meal wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or special dinners, I’ve served this soup in hollowed-out mini bread bowls—it’s fun, festive, and perfect for portion control. You can also garnish with a drizzle of chili oil or a pinch of smoked paprika for a stylish twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days, though the gnocchi may soften a bit more each day, so I recommend reheating within that window for best texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup once, but the gnocchi tends to get a little softer after thawing. If you want to freeze, keep the soup and cooked gnocchi separate, then combine when reheating for best results.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. This helps the soup heat evenly and prevents the dairy from curdling or the gnocchi from falling apart.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen gnocchi for this soup?

Yes! Frozen gnocchi works well too. You might need to add an extra minute to the cooking time to make sure they're tender. Just keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking, which can cause them to become mushy.

What can I substitute for half-and-half if I don't have it?

You can substitute half-and-half with a mixture of milk and cream (equal parts) or use just whole milk for a lighter version. For a dairy-free alternative, try coconut milk or cashew cream, but keep in mind the flavor profile will change slightly.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken. You can add hearty veggies like mushrooms or white beans to compensate for the protein. The gnocchi and creamy base still make it rich and comforting.

How do I prevent the soup from becoming too thick?

If your soup gets too thick, simply stir in a little extra chicken broth or half-and-half to loosen it up while reheating. Adding liquids gradually lets you control the consistency without diluting the flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Recipe is one of those special dishes that wow guests and warm your heart just like Olive Garden’s, but with the joy of homemade love. Trust me, once you’ve made it, you’ll lean on this recipe again and again. It’s straightforward, comforting, and downright delicious—exactly what I want to share with friends around the table. Give it a try and see how quickly it becomes your new favorite.