There’s something cozily magical about a bowl of warm, creamy soup on a chilly day, and this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe hits all the right notes — rich, comforting, with tender gnocchi and just enough spinach to keep things fresh. Trust me, once you try making it at home, you’ll be hooked.

A bowl of creamy soup filled with small pieces of white pasta, light green celery slices, bright orange thin carrot strips, and dark green spinach leaves floating in a thick white broth. The soup is topped with a sprinkle of coarse black pepper. A silver spoon with a blue handle is resting inside the bowl on the right side. The white bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to a striped cloth with yellow, green, and brown lines. 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 Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this soup dozens of times now, and it’s always a winner when friends come over or when I just need a little comforting dinner. What’s great is how it nails that authentic Olive Garden flavor without the expense or the dining out hassle.

Easy & Quick: You can whip it up in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight crowd-pleaser.
Rich and Creamy Texture: The half-and-half combined with butter and flour creates that silky base that gives the soup its signature feel.
Comfort Food with a Twist: Gnocchi is a fun and savory alternative to traditional noodles, giving you that pillow-soft bite you'll love.
Customizable Flavors: It’s a flexible recipe, letting you adjust seasoning or add your favorite veggies for a personal touch.

The image shows two white bowls filled with creamy soup that has a light yellow color. The soup contains soft white pieces, thin orange carrot strips, and small green leaves scattered throughout. The top of the soup is sprinkled lightly with black pepper. One white bowl is placed near the upper right corner with a silver spoon resting beside it on a white marbled surface, and the other bowl is partially visible in the lower left corner. Nearby, there is a pink bowl with a coarse light brown powder and two clear glasses of water. A striped cloth with blue, brown, beige, and white colors is folded near the upper right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a special role here, creating a balance of flavors and textures that bring this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe together beautifully. Plus, it doesn’t require anything exotic — most you’ll find right in your fridge or pantry.

Flat lay of a small pile of unsalted butter cubes, a small bunch of fresh rib celery sliced into thin rounds, a halved yellow onion with half finely chopped, a small heap of bright orange matchstick carrots, three peeled garlic cloves finely chopped, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy half-and-half, a small mound of finely chopped cooked chicken breast, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt crystals, a small pile of fresh refrigerated gnocchi dumplings, a small handful of roughly chopped vibrant baby spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of dried Italian seasoning, a small white ceramic bowl of ground black pepper, and a tiny white ceramic bowl containing a pinch of ground nutmeg—all placed 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: Essential for creating that smooth, creamy roux base without overpowering saltiness.
Celery: Adds a subtle aromatic crunch and fresh flavor that balances the creaminess.
Yellow onion: Brings sweet, tender depth once softened — never skip this for a flavor boost.
Matchstick carrots: For natural sweetness and a bit of texture contrast in every spoonful.
Garlic: Finely chopped to infuse warmth and underpin all those layers of taste.
All-purpose flour: Works with butter to thicken the soup perfectly without lumps.
Chicken broth: The savory backbone – homemade or store-bought will both work fine.
Half-and-half: Creates creamy richness while keeping the soup light enough to enjoy.
Cooked chicken: Adds protein and heartiness – shredded or chopped, either way.
Granulated sugar: Just a pinch to balance savory and creamy flavors beautifully.
Kosher salt: To taste, enhances and rounds out flavors without overwhelming.
Refrigerated gnocchi: The star of the show – tender pillows that soak up all the delicious broth.
Baby spinach: Adds color, nutrients, and a fresh bite once wilted gently in the soup.
Dried Italian seasoning: Brings herby notes that keep it authentically “Olive Garden.”
Black pepper: A little kick and warmth without stealing the spotlight.
Ground nutmeg: A tiny pinch works wonders to subtly enhance the creamy base’s flavor.

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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 love making this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe as written, but I also like tweaking it depending on the season or who's at the table. A little personalization goes a long way here!

Variation: Often, I like adding sun-dried tomatoes or swapping baby spinach for kale—adds a hearty twist that’s just as satisfying.
Healthier Option: Use half-and-half mixed with low-fat milk to lighten the soup without losing creaminess.
Spice It Up: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle heat that wakes up the flavors.
Make It Vegan: Substitute butter with olive oil, chicken broth with veggie broth, and swap gnocchi for vegan gnocchi brands — still delicious!

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

Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies to Perfection

Start by melting a tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Then, add the celery, onions, and carrots. Sauté them, stirring often, until everything’s softened and the onions turn translucent—about 5 minutes. This forms a tender, flavorful base that’s key to the soup's character. Add garlic last, sautéing for just 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to brown it or it can turn bitter.

Step 2: Build a Silky Roux Base

Drop in the remaining three tablespoons of butter and stir it until melted. Quickly sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir constantly—this cooks off the raw flour taste and creates a slightly thickened, golden roux. It usually takes about a minute. This step is what gives the soup its velvety texture, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Mix in the Liquids and Chicken

Gradually pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half while stirring to keep things smooth. Then add the cooked chicken, a touch of sugar, and kosher salt. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally—this blends all the flavors and slightly thickens the soup. It’s the moment the magic really starts.

Step 4: Cook the Gnocchi and Finish with Greens

Drop in the refrigerated gnocchi and gently stir every so often as they cook, typically around three minutes until tender and puffed up. Then stir in the spinach, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and just a pinch of nutmeg. Let the spinach wilt gently for a couple more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—this fresh step brightens the whole bowl.

Top Tip

From my experience, the secret to this soup’s perfect texture is in the roux and timing with the gnocchi. Rushing the roux or overcooking the gnocchi can throw off the whole dish.

Perfect Roux: Stir constantly and cook the flour long enough until it’s golden but not browned to avoid floury taste.
Gnocchi Timing: Keep an eye on the gnocchi — just cook until they float and puff up; overcooking makes them mushy.
Fresh Spinach Last: Add spinach at the very end so it stays vibrant and slightly crisp instead of limp and dull.
Season Gradually: Taste as you go, especially after adding liquids, to balance salt and herbs perfectly.

How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish the soup with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and some chopped fresh parsley or basil for color and a pop of fresh flavor. A little crusty bread on the side to dunk is non-negotiable in my book!

Side Dishes

Pair this soup with a simple Caesar salad or roasted garlic breadsticks, and you’ve got yourself a cozy, satisfying meal that feels restaurant-worthy but is made right at home.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like serving this soup in mini bread bowls or in rustic mugs with a sprig of rosemary resting on top. It turns a simple dinner into a lovely experience that impresses guests without a fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the gnocchi can soak up broth over time, I recommend adding a splash of broth or cream when reheating to keep it saucy and fresh.

Freezing

Freezing is possible, but gnocchi tends to get mushy after thawing. If you do freeze, leave out the gnocchi and add fresh when reheating for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. If the soup thickens too much, add chicken broth or half-and-half to loosen it back up and keep that luscious creamy consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade gnocchi for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade gnocchi works wonderfully and adds extra charm, but just be sure to add them last and cook until they float, usually a bit quicker than store-bought.

Can I substitute heavy cream instead of half-and-half?

Yes, using heavy cream will make the soup richer and thicker. I tend to stick with half-and-half for balance, but heavy cream is a fine swap if you prefer a more indulgent texture. Just watch the soup as it cooks to avoid it becoming too heavy.

How do I prevent the soup from becoming watery?

Cooking the flour and butter properly to form a good roux thickens the base well, so don’t rush this step. Also, add the liquids gradually and simmer gently—it helps build the right consistency without thinning the soup too much.

Can I make this soup vegetarian-friendly?

You can easily adapt it by swapping the chicken broth for vegetable broth and leaving out the chicken, or replacing it with mushrooms for an earthy bite. Using dairy or dairy alternatives keeps it creamy and satisfying.

Final Thoughts

I honestly don’t think I’ll ever stop making this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe. It’s the go-to comfort meal that’s impressively straightforward and slays expectations every time. I hope you give it a try soon and find that same cozy joy I do every spoonful. Don’t be shy to tweak it and make it your own — that’s part of the fun!