Best Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe - Tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi in a creamy broth make for a warm and satisfying meal that is perfect for chilly weather or when you need some comfort food. This soup is easy to make and and comes together in under 30 minutes!! 

Love creamy soup? Try my creamy Tomato Bisque, Wild Rice Mushroom Soup, or Cream of Mushroom Soup.

Olive Garden, is one of my family's favorite restaurants and we tried Chicken Gnocchi soup there. My kids just loved it. This is one of the most filling soups I have ever tried.

Loved how creamy and rich the soup tasted with that tiny potato gnocchi, it just melted in the mouth. I just knew I had to try this recipe at home.

After a making this soup a couple of times, I nailed the recipe for the perfect Chicken Gnocchi soup. It's been a few years now, I have been making this soup at home and my family loves this homemade Chicken Gnocchi soup.

This Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe has a thick and creamy broth, loaded with potato gnocchi, chicken, carrots, celery, and fresh spinach. 

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This Olive Garden restaurant-style Chicken gnocchi soup is a flavorful and hearty soup loaded with tender chunks of chicken, potato gnocchi, and veggies in a creamy broth. I used herbs like thyme and rosemary to season, and aromatic ingredients like onion and garlic.

For the broth I used chicken stock or broth, which provides a rich and savory base to the soup. To create a creamy and indulgent texture, you can use Heavy cream or Half-n-Half. To complete this dish, garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added freshness and flavor.

Ingredients for Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

The ingredients can vary based on personal preference and availability. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking.

Chicken: boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Bone-in or boneless chicken, both work fine. Make sure you have enough chicken meat to add to the soup after you shred the chicken.

Potato gnocchi: small, soft dumplings made from potatoes or flour. Fresh, frozen, or dry gnocchi works well. You can find the fresh gnocchi in the refrigerated section, frozen gnocchi in the freezer section, and dry gnocchi in the pasta aisle with all the other dry pasta.

I prefer fresh or dry gnocchi. You can use frozen gnocchi as well. For cooking the gnocchi follow the package direction for the best results.

Vegetables: onion, celery for that crunch, carrots for an extra flavor, and garlic. You can chop the carrots or shred them. Fresh garlic or garlic powder, both work fine.

Spinach or kale for added nutrition. You can add mushrooms, corn, green beans or any veggies you like.

Herbs: thyme, Italian seasoning, oregano, parsley, and basil go well with the creamy flavors of this soup.

I use one or a combination of herbs to add more depth and flavor to this soup. You can use any herb of your choice.

Chicken broth or stock: low sodium broth adds a layer of flavor. Low sodium broth helps control sodium intake.

Dairy: heavy cream, half and half, or just milk, works great. The richness of the soup depends upon the fat content used. 

Cheese: I add a very small amount of Parmesan cheese at the end for that extra flavor 

Flour: mainly to thicken the soup.

How to make Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

This amazing Chicken Gnocchi soup can be made in a fraction of a time in your Instant Pot. Sharing Instant Pot and stovetop recipe for Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

To make chicken gnocchi soup in an Instant Pot, you will first need to sauté the veggies. Add diced onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and diced carrots to the Instant Pot and cook until the vegetables start to soften.

Then add flour, and sauté for couple of minutes until the raw smell of flour is no more. Next, add chicken broth, and deglaze the pot.

Now, add chicken, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine everything.

Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Press the "Pressure Cook" button and set the timer for 15 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Then use the quick release valve to release any remaining pressure.

Note: Depending upon the size of the chicken breast - small to large, adjust the cooking time from 10 - 15 minutes. For small sizes, cook for 10 minutes, for large, thick sizes, cook for 15 minutes.

Carefully open the lid of the Instant Pot, remove the chicken, and using a fork shred the chicken.

Add the gnocchi to the pot and cook till it starts to float on the top. It took me around 3-4 minutes. Please use the recommended cooking time for gnocchi on the package.

Add the shredded chicken back to the pot. Add cream, spinach, and basil. Simmer the soup for few minutes, until spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.

Adjust the seasonings, salt and pepper as per taste. Serve the soup hot with your favorite toppings like grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Love café style dining? Serve this creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi soup in a homemade bread bowl.

Stovetop Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Start by sautéing the veggies. Add diced onion, minced garlic, diced celery, and diced carrots and cook until the vegetables start to soften.

Then add flour, and sauté for couple of minutes until the raw smell of flour is no more. Next, add chicken broth, and deglaze the pot.

Now, add chicken, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked.

Remove the chicken from the soup, shred it, and keep it aside.

Add the gnocchi to the pot and cook till it floats on the top. It took me around 3-4 minutes. Please use the recommended cooking time for gnocchi on the package.

Add the shredded chicken back to the pot. Add cream, spinach, and basil. Let the soup cook for a few more minutes until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through.

Adjust the seasonings, salt and pepper as per taste. Serve the soup hot with your favorite toppings like grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.

Love café style dining? Serve this creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi soup in a homemade bread bowl

Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions for chicken gnocchi soup:

1. Bread: Serve the soup with a slice of crusty bread or a breadstick on the side. The bread can be used to soak up the delicious broth.
2. Love café style dining? Serve this creamy Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi soup in a homemade bread bowl
3. Salad: A fresh salad is a great accompaniment to the soup. You can serve a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a Caesar salad with croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese.

Lighter Version of Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Here are few suggestions, to make a healthier version of chicken gnocchi soup without compromising on its flavor:

Use chicken breast for chicken thighs: lean chicken breast can help reduce the fat content of the soup.

Add more veggies: Adding more vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini can increase the nutrient content of the soup and make it more filling.

Use low-sodium chicken broth: To reduce the sodium content of the soup, use low-sodium chicken broth or make your own broth from scratch without adding salt.

Use cauliflower gnocchi: You can replace regular gnocchi with cauliflower gnocchi for a low-carb meal.

Substitute low-fat milk for heavy cream: Replacing heavy cream with low-fat milk or a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk can help reduce the saturated fat and calorie content of the soup.

Reduce the butter: Using less butter or replacing it with a healthier fat like olive oil can help reduce the calorie and saturated fat content of the soup.

Tips for Best Chicken Gnocchi Soup

For additional flavor, sauté the vegetables and herbs first before adding the broth. This will help to develop the flavors and aromas of the ingredients.

Don't overcook the chicken or gnocchi, as they can become tough and rubbery. Add the chicken back to the pot only after the vegetables are softened, and simmer the gnocchi for the minimum recommended time.

Leftover rotisserie chicken can be used to make this soup and it tastes delicious.

Use heavy cream to create a rich and creamy texture. Do not let the soup boil after adding the cream as this can cause it to curdle.

Use homemade chicken broth or a high-quality store-bought variety to ensure a rich and flavorful base for the soup.

Add your favorite vegetables to the soup to customize the flavors to your liking and to increase the nutritional content.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi is a classic Italian pasta, dumplings made out of potato and flour. This gnocchi or dumplings can be served in a variety of ways.

Baked gnocchi with some creamy cheese sauce, serve it with some classic Italian tomato pasta sauce, or you can even sauté these dumplings with some vegetables. Gnocchi tastes great in soups as well.

Do you have to cook gnocchi before putting in soup?

No, you don't need to cook the gnocchi separately. The starch from the gnocchi helps thicken the soup naturally. And the gnocchi cooks along with the soup.

Can you boil gnocchi in broth?

Yes, this recipe does exactly the same. No need to cook gnocchi separately, cook it in the soup. Gnocchi cooks beautifully and the starch from it helps thicken the soup.

Does gnocchi get mushy in soup?

No, if cooked right gnocchi adds a nice creamy texture to the soup. It's important not to overcook the gnocchi in the soup, as this can cause it to break apart and become too soft. Add the gnocchi to the soup towards the end of the cooking process. And cook for a few minutes until it starts to float on the top. This will help maintain the texture of the gnocchi and keep it from becoming too soft or mushy.

Can I use frozen gnocchi in chicken gnocchi soup?

Yes, frozen gnocchi can be used in chicken gnocchi soup. Simply add the frozen gnocchi to the soup and simmer to cook it.

How to make chicken gnocchi soup gluten-free?

Here are a few suggestions to make Chicken Gnocchi Soup gluten-free:

• Skip the flour, and use a cornstarch slurry. To make a cornstarch slurry take equal quantity of cornstarch and water. Mix and gradually add the slurry to the soup and thickened to the desired consistency. 
• Use gluten-free gnocchi available in supermarkets. Cauliflower gnocchi tastes amazing and makes the soup low-carb too.

Can I make chicken gnocchi soup ahead of time?

Yes, chicken gnocchi soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave and serve.

How long does chicken gnocchi soup last in the refrigerator?

Chicken gnocchi soup will last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.

Does gnocchi freeze well in soup?

No, the gnocchi does not freeze well. I would not recommend freezing the soup. If you wish to freeze the soup, skip the gnocchi and cream in the soup.

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