There’s something about the cozy creaminess of this homemade soup that just feels like a warm hug. This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe nails all those comforting flavors you love from the restaurant, but you get to make it fresh in your own kitchen—with way more love (and fewer preservatives).

A white bowl filled with creamy soup that has visible pieces of white meat, green spinach leaves, thin orange carrot strips, and small light green celery slices. The soup has a thick, smooth texture with black pepper sprinkled on top. A spoon with a blue handle is dipped into the soup, placed near the center of the bowl. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface with a striped cloth in soft purple, white, and yellow colors beside it. 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 countless versions of this soup over the years, tweaking it until I found my perfect balance of creamy, cheesy, and packed with veggies. It’s such a satisfying bowl of comfort, and honestly, it tastes like a little kitchen win every time.

Authentic flavor: Captures the exact taste of Olive Garden’s famous soup without needing a restaurant visit.
Simple ingredients: Uses easy-to-find staples that come together quickly for a perfect weeknight meal.
Customizable: You can add more veggies or swap out the dairy for lighter versions without losing the soul of the dish.
Comfort food classic: Creamy gnocchi and tender chicken make this soup a soothing crowd-pleaser.

The image shows two white bowls filled with a creamy soup containing visible small pieces of green spinach, orange carrot shreds, and chunks of white potato or chicken, with black pepper sprinkled on top. The soup has a thick texture and a light yellowish color. Both bowls are placed on a white marbled surface, one bowl near a pink dish of ground seasoning and the other near two spoons with dark handles and a striped cloth with blue, pink, yellow, and white lines. A glass of water is partially visible near the bowls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe combines simple ingredients that marry creamy textures with fresh garden flavors—plus the gnocchi gives the soup its uniquely soft, pillowy heart that makes it unforgettable. Using half-and-half over heavy cream keeps it rich but not overwhelming, and the Italian seasoning brings everything together beautifully.

Flat lay of a small pile of unsalted butter cubes, a few thin slices of celery ribs, a small mound of chopped yellow onion, a small heap of matchstick carrots, three unpeeled garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy half-and-half, shredded cooked chicken pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, a small pile of refrigerated gnocchi dumplings, roughly chopped fresh baby spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl containing dried Italian seasoning, a small white ceramic bowl with black pepper, and a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg on a white ceramic dish, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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: Gives a smooth base without extra salt, so you control seasoning better.
Celery: Adds subtle crunch and savory depth to the veggie mix.
Yellow onion: Sweetens the broth and rounds out the flavors beautifully when softened.
Matchstick carrots: Offer a delicate sweetness and light texture contrast.
Garlic: Essential for that savory, aromatic lift—don’t skip or skimp here!
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the broth to that perfect creamy consistency.
Chicken broth: The foundation of the soup’s woody, meaty flavor—use a quality broth for best results.
Half-and-half: Keeps the soup creamy without being too heavy, balancing richness with lightness.
Cooked chicken: Tender, shredded or chopped chicken is the protein star here—leftovers work great too!
Granulated sugar: Just a pinch to brighten the soup subtly and balance acidity.
Kosher salt: The seasoning backbone that brings all flavors to life.
Refrigerated gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that soak up the savory broth gorgeously.
Baby spinach: Adds vibrant color, nutrition, and a fresh slightly earthy taste.
Dried Italian seasoning: Keeps that classic herb character front and center.
Black pepper: Adds a little kick and complexity to each spoonful.
Ground nutmeg: A pinch lends warmth and a subtle depth that’s easy to miss but makes all the difference.

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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 like to tweak this soup depending on the season or what I have on hand. Adding extra garlic or swapping spinach for kale has been a personal favorite—everyone’s version can get a little unique and reflect their kitchen style.

Variation: Once, I added sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of parmesan right before serving, and it turned the soup into a richer Italian feast—so good!
Dairy-free option: I’ve swapped half-and-half for coconut milk and butter for olive oil to make it dairy-free; the texture changes but it still sings.
Make it heartier: Chuck in some sliced mushrooms or diced potatoes to add more substance.
Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes never hurt anyone if you like a little heat.

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

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables to Soften and Sweeten

Start by melting one tablespoon of butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. I like to add the celery, onion, and carrots next—cook these gently until the onions turn translucent and veggies soften, about 5 minutes. Stir often so they don’t stick or burn. Then toss in the garlic and cook just 30 seconds until fragrant. This first step builds the soup’s deep flavor foundation.

Step 2: Create the Roux for Creamy Perfection

Adding the remaining butter next, stir until fully melted. Now sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, stirring constantly. You want to cook this mixture until it’s a pale golden color and starts bubbling—just around a minute or so. This roux is what thickens the soup nicely without clumps.

Step 3: Building the Soup Base

Slowly pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half, whisking as you go to keep it smooth. Add the cooked chicken, sugar, and kosher salt next. Bring it all to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. This is the point where your kitchen starts smelling like a dream.

Step 4: Add Gnocchi & Greens for Comfort

Toss in the refrigerated gnocchi and cook, stirring carefully, for about 3 minutes until they’re tender and floating. Then stir in the baby spinach, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Keep stirring for another 2 minutes until the spinach wilts perfectly.

Step 5: Serve It Up Warm and Loving

Once everything’s cozy and blended together, ladle your soup into bowls and dig in! It’s best enjoyed hot, maybe with some crusty bread to sop up every last drop.

Top Tip

After making this soup dozens of times, I’ve realized these little tweaks make all the difference—here are some tips to ensure your Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe turns out perfect every time.

Use good-quality chicken broth: It’s the base flavor, so don’t skimp—homemade or low-sodium works best.
Don’t overcook the gnocchi: They only need a few minutes; overcooking makes them mushy and lose their charm.
Cook the roux carefully: Stir your butter and flour until it’s just golden for rich flavor without the raw flour taste.
Add spinach last: So it wilts gently without turning slimy or overdone.

How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Chicken Gnocchi Soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and a few cranks of black pepper. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of good olive oil adds that extra silkiness. If I’m feeling fancy, a few chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil brighten the bowl beautifully.

Side Dishes

Crusty Italian bread or a warm baguette is my go-to. Sometimes I serve it alongside a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic knots or cheesy breadsticks work wonderfully too if you want to channel the full Olive Garden vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I like serving the soup in little soup crocks topped with fresh herbs and a swirl of cream, paired with mini grilled cheese sandwiches as dippers. It always sparks smiles and makes the meal feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always let it cool completely before sealing to avoid soggy gnocchi or watery broth. When reheating, a gentle stove-top warm-up is best to keep everything tender and delicious.

Freezing

I generally don’t freeze this soup because the gnocchi tends to become gummy when thawed. But if you want to prep broth and veggies ahead, freezing the base (without dairy or gnocchi) works well. Then add cream and gnocchi fresh when serving.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to redistribute the cream and avoid scorching. Adding a splash of broth or half-and-half can help bring back the creamy texture if it thickened too much in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken instead of cooked chicken?

You can, but make sure it’s fully thawed and shredded or chopped before adding to the soup. Using pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie) saves time and adds great flavor.

Can I substitute heavy cream for half-and-half?

Absolutely! Heavy cream will make the soup richer and silkier, but half-and-half keeps it a bit lighter while still creamy. Either works well–just adjust to your preference.

What if I can’t find refrigerated gnocchi?

You can usually find gnocchi in the refrigerated section near fresh pasta or sometimes frozen. If you can’t find any, you can try making homemade gnocchi or substituting small pasta shapes like mini shells or tortellini for a similar texture.

Can I make this soup vegan?

To make a vegan version, replace the butter with olive oil, use vegetable broth, substitute the half-and-half with a plant-based cream like coconut or cashew, and omit the chicken or use a plant-based protein. Gnocchi should be checked to ensure it’s egg-free.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart—it's that soul-soothing bowl you want when the weather turns chilly or you just need a midday pick-me-up. It’s approachable, satisfying, and perfect for impressing friends or family who think restaurant favorites are too complicated to replicate at home. Give it a try, and I’m pretty sure it’ll become a go-to comfort classic for you, just like it is for me.