Olive Garden's Famous Chicken & Gnocchi Soup Recipe: Make It At Home [Copycat Guide]

We all love a warm bowl of comforting soup, and Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup stands out as one of their most beloved dishes. This creamy, hearty soup combines tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi and fresh vegetables in a rich, velvety broth that keeps customers coming back for more.

Creating this restaurant favorite at home isn't as challenging as you might think. We'll show you how to recreate this iconic Olive Garden soup with simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. From achieving the perfect cream base to cooking the gnocchi just right, our tested recipe captures all the flavors that make this soup so irresistible.

What Makes Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Special

Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup stands out for its distinctive combination of ingredients and preparation techniques. The soup easy instant pot chicken soup features pillowy potato gnocchi dumplings swimming in a velvety cream-based broth alongside tender chunks of roasted chicken breast.

The signature elements that distinguish this soup include:

House-made potato gnocchi with a light textureItalian-seasoned roasted chicken piecesFresh spinach leaves for color contrastShredded carrots adding natural sweetnessDiced celery providing subtle crunchMinced garlic infused throughout

The creamy base incorporates:

IngredientPurposeHeavy creamCreates rich textureChicken stockAdds depth of flavorParmesan cheeseProvides umami notesItalian seasoningsEnhances authenticity

The cooking method creates layers of flavor by:

Sautéing aromatics in butter before adding liquidSimmering gnocchi directly in the brothIncorporating cream gradually for optimal consistencyAdding spinach at the end to maintain freshness

The soup achieves its signature consistency through careful temperature control during preparation, creating a smooth emulsion between the cream base and chicken stock. Each spoonful delivers a balanced combination of tender chicken, soft gnocchi dumpling and fresh vegetables in a silky broth.

Key Ingredients in the Signature Soup

Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup combines premium ingredients to create its signature taste. Each component plays a distinct role in developing the soup's beloved flavor profile.

The Perfect Potato Gnocchi

Potato gnocchi serves as the foundation of this iconic soup. These small, pillowy dumplings are made from potato-based pasta dough, found in the pasta aisle of grocery stores. Ready-to-use gnocchi options include:

Traditional potato gnocchi in regular or mini sizesCauliflower gnocchi as a low-carb alternativeFresh or frozen varieties from specialty Italian markets

Tender Chicken and Fresh Vegetables

The soup features a harmonious blend of protein and vegetables. Here's the essential produce and protein components:

Protein Base

Diced chicken breast or thighs, cooked until tenderRotisserie chicken as a convenient, flavorful alternativeWhite onion, finely diced for natural sweetnessCelery, precisely chopped for textural balanceCarrot matchsticks or shredded carrots for colorFresh minced garlic cloves for aromatic depthIngredientPreparation MethodPurposeWhite OnionFinely dicedAdds sweetnessCeleryFinely choppedProvides textureCarrotsShredded/matchsticksAdds colorGarlicMincedCreates aromaChickenDicedMain proteinGnocchiReady-to-useCore component

Creamy Broth and Seasoning Blend

The foundation of Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi soup lies in its velvety cream base and aromatic seasoning blend. The combination creates a luxurious texture with balanced flavors that complement the tender chicken and pillowy gnocchi.

Rich and Velvety Base

The creamy base starts with a butter and all-purpose flour roux, which acts as the thickening agent. Half-and-half creates the signature smoothness while maintaining optimal reheating properties. The addition of low-sodium chicken broth builds depth and allows for precise consistency control. The proportions create a soup that's rich without being overwhelming.

Base ComponentFunctionButter + Flour RouxThickening agentHalf-and-halfSmooth textureLow-sodium chicken brothDepth and consistency

Signature Italian Herbs

Fresh thyme leads the herb profile with its earthy undertones and subtle sweetness. A blend of dried Italian seasonings enhances the authentic flavor profile. The herbs olive garden gnocchi soup no chicken integrate during the simmering process, infusing the creamy base with aromatic compounds. Proper timing of herb addition prevents bitter notes while maximizing flavor extraction.

Herb ComponentFlavor ProfileFresh ThymeEarthy, sweetItalian Seasoning BlendAromatic, savory

How to Order and Customize Your Soup

Standard Ordering Options

Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup comes in two primary ordering formats:

As part of the unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks comboAs an individual soup serving from the regular menu

Available Customizations

The soup offers several modification options to match your preferences:

Extra protein additions (grilled chicken, roasted chicken)Additional vegetables for enhanced textureAdjustable broth quantityCheese modifications (extra cheese, no cheese)Seasoning adaptations to taste preferences

Special Requests

Here's how to enhance your Chicken and Gnocchi Soup experience:

Request extra gnocchi for a more filling portionAsk for additional broth if you prefer a thinner consistencySpecify vegetable quantities (more spinach, extra carrots)Order soup temperature modifications (extra hot)Customization TypeAvailable OptionsProteinExtra chicken, grilled chickenVegetablesAdditional spinach, carrots, celeryBaseMore broth, extra creamyToppingsExtra cheese, no cheese

Each customization enhances the signature flavors while maintaining the authentic Olive Garden taste profile. The restaurant accommodates reasonable modification requests to ensure customer satisfaction.

Tips for Making This Soup at Home

Start with the Base

Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until meltedSauté diced onions celery carrots for 5 minutes until softenedAdd minced garlic cook for 30 seconds until fragrant

Perfect the Broth

Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levelsAdd half-and-half gradually while stirring to prevent curdlingIncorporate dried thyme fresh parsley ground nutmeg for authentic flavor

Handle Gnocchi Properly

Choose store-bought potato gnocchi for convenience textureCook gnocchi directly in the soup brothAdd gnocchi during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking

Prepare the Chicken

Use pre-cooked chicken to save timeCut chicken into bite-sized pieces for even distributionRotisserie chicken adds extra flavor depth to the soup

Temperature Control

Maintain medium-low heat while adding creamAvoid boiling after adding dairy to prevent separationStir frequently during the final cooking stagesStore leftovers in an airtight containerRefrigerate for up to 3 daysReheat on low heat stirring occasionallyComponentCooking TimeTemperatureVegetables5 minutesMedium heatGarlic30 secondsMedium heatGnocchi3-4 minutesMedium-low heatFinal simmer5-7 minutesLow heat

Conclusion

Now you're equipped with everything needed to recreate Olive Garden's beloved Chicken and Gnocchi Soup at home. We've shared the essential ingredients flavoring techniques and expert tips to help you master this comforting dish.

Whether you're enjoying it at the restaurant or making it in your own kitchen this creamy rich soup delivers the perfect blend of tender chicken potato gnocchi and fresh vegetables in every spoonful. With our detailed guidance you'll be able to create this restaurant favorite whenever the craving strikes.

Remember that practice makes perfect and don't hesitate to adjust the seasonings to your taste. Happy cooking!

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Pub: 07 Feb 2025 23:43 UTC

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