Description
This copycat version of Olive Garden's Chicken & Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a flavorful broth. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sautéed Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small (1/2 ounce) rib celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 1/3 cup)
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 small onion)
- 1/2 cup matchstick carrots (from 1 [10-ounce] package)
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic (about 3 small cloves)
Sauce and Soup Base
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Additional Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounces) package refrigerated gnocchi (such as Rana)
- 1 1/2 cups (about 2 ounces) roughly chopped baby spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add celery, onion, and carrots, cooking and stirring often until vegetables are tender and onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Make Roux: Add remaining 3 tablespoons butter and stir constantly until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until pale golden brown and bubbly, about 1 minute.
- Add Liquids and Chicken: Gradually stir in chicken broth, half-and-half, chicken, sugar, and salt. Bring soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Cook Gnocchi: Add gnocchi and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes.
- Finish Soup: Stir in spinach, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and nutmeg. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often, until spinach is wilted. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half with whole milk or a milk alternative.
- Use freshly cooked chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- If gnocchi isn’t available, small pasta like mini shells or orzo can be used.
- Add extra herbs like fresh parsley or thyme for enhanced flavor.
- Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1351 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 132 mg
