Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Better Than Olive Garden)

Creamy chicken gnocchi soup is pure comfort food in a bowl. Tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh vegetables and spinach simmer together in a rich, creamy broth for a satisfying meal that still feels easy enough for a weeknight.

If you enjoy Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup, this homemade version takes those familiar flavors a step further. Fresh herbs give the broth more depth, while a squeeze of lemon added at the end brightens the entire soup and balances its richness.

Two simple additions make a noticeable difference:

1. Fresh lemon juice: A small amount of acidity helps cut through the creamy broth and brings the other flavors to life. Add it at the end so it stays bright and fresh.
2. Fresh herbs: Dried oregano creates a flavorful base, while fresh parsley and rosemary give the finished soup a fresher, more aromatic flavor.

These small touches transform a familiar restaurant-inspired soup into something especially flavorful and worth making at home.

what are gnocchi?

Gnocchi are small Italian dumplings most commonly made with potatoes and flour. They have a mild flavor and a soft, pleasantly chewy texture that makes them especially comforting in creamy soups.

Store-bought potato gnocchi work perfectly in this recipe and do not need to be cooked separately. Add them directly to the soup and simmer until they are tender and begin floating near the surface.

How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Cook the chicken in a little olive oil until nearly cooked through. For an even quicker option, substitute cooked rotisserie chicken.
• Sauté the onion, carrots, celery, garlic and seasonings until the vegetables begin to soften and the herbs become fragrant.
• Stir in the flour and cook for about one minute to remove its raw flavor. Gradually add the chicken broth and half-and-half, stirring until the broth is smooth and creamy.
• Add the gnocchi, spinach and chicken, then simmer until the gnocchi are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
• Finish with fresh herbs and lemon juice, then taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

The entire soup comes together in about 45 minutes using one pot, making it an easy, cozy dinner with minimal cleanup.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Better Than Olive Garden)

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• : Happily Unprocessed

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, fresh vegetables and spinach simmer together in a rich, creamy broth for a satisfying meal that still feels easy enough for a weeknight.

---

Email me this recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox. You’ll also get new recipes and easy dinner ideas from Happily Unprocessed.

Send Recipe

Recipe saved! Please check your email for your saved recipe.

Ingredients

Scale ½x1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into small cubes (approx. 2 cups total)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 ½ cups carrots, diced or julienned
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups half & galf (or ¾ cup whole milk & ¾ cup heavy cream)
• 16 oz. gnocchi
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach, stems removed
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
2. Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same pot. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add the garlic, oregano and rosemary. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir until everything is evenly coated. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
5. Gradually stir in the chicken broth, beginning with about ½ cup and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Once smooth, add the remaining broth.
6. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth begins to thicken.
7. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half-and-half. Add the gnocchi and cook according to the package directions, usually 2 to 4 minutes. Keep the soup at a gentle simmer and do not let it boil.
8. Return the chicken to the pot and add the spinach. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken is heated through, the gnocchi are tender and the spinach has wilted.
9. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper and lemon juice before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Category: Soups
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American, Italian

LOOKING FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES?

Subscribe to our newsletter to get family friendly healthy recipes delivered to your inbox. You can also find us sharing more recipes on PINTEREST.