Crispy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden Copycat)

There’s something uniquely comforting about a warm bowl of creamy chicken gnocchi soup, isn’t it? It’s a hug in a bowl, a culinary escape that instantly transports you to your favorite Italian-American restaurant, particularly if you’re a fan of that famous Olive Garden classic. For another comforting classic, try our best chicken noodle soup recipe. As a chef and a lover of all things cozy, I’ve spent years perfecting an easy, delicious homemade version that truly stands out. My recipe for this incredible chicken gnocchi soup captures all the beloved flavors you crave, but with a unique twist that promises a texture experience far superior to any other copycat recipe you’ve tried. Get ready for a game-changing bowl!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

In my kitchen, I’m always chasing that perfect texture, and that’s precisely what makes my Crispy Chicken Gnocchi Soup truly special. While most recipes simply boil gnocchi directly in the soup, leading to a uniformly soft or even mushy texture, my secret lies in a simple yet revolutionary step: pan-searing the potato gnocchi beforehand.

• Unforgettable Texture: A brief pan-sear creates a delicate, crispy exterior on the gnocchi while keeping the inside wonderfully soft. This amazing textural contrast, achieved through the Maillard reaction, prevents mushiness and elevates every spoonful.
• Enhanced Flavor: The pan-searing process adds a subtle, nutty, and savory umami note to the gnocchi, deepening the overall flavor profile of the soup.
• Hearty & Comforting: This creamy, savory, and rich chicken gnocchi soup is the ultimate comfort food. It’s incredibly satisfying, perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a little warmth in your soul.
• Quick & Easy: Despite its gourmet feel, this recipe is designed to be a 30-minute meal! It’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering convenience without compromising on an authentic Olive Garden copycat experience.
• Family Favorite: A beloved dish that’s sure to please everyone at your table, saving you money on takeout and providing delicious leftovers for days.

Ingredients Needed

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a truly memorable meal. Here’s exactly what you’ll need for this hearty chicken gnocchi soup:

• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked and diced )
• 1 stalk of celery (chopped)
• ½ white onion ( diced)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 16 ounces potato gnocchi
• 2 cups half and half (see note)
• 1 cup fresh spinach (roughly chopped)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Chicken: The recipe calls for 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which typically equates to about 1.5-2 lbs. For convenience, you can use pre-shredded cooked chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or quickly poach and shred/dice your own. If you’re looking for more easy ways to cook chicken, check out these juicy air fryer chicken bites. Diced chicken offers distinct bites, while shredded chicken blends more seamlessly into the soup.
• Gnocchi: I highly recommend using shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi for the best texture when pan-searing. While frozen gnocchi can work, its texture might vary slightly. The key is to use potato gnocchi, as its starchy composition is ideal for creating that crispy exterior.
• Half and Half/Cream: For an extra rich and luxurious chicken gnocchi soup, you can swap one cup of half and half for heavy cream. This will enhance the creaminess and depth of flavor.
• Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Swaps: To make this soup dairy-free, use a full-fat unsweetened coconut milk or a creamy cashew milk alternative instead of half and half. Ensure it’s unsweetened to avoid altering the savory profile. For a gluten-free version, simply opt for gluten-free potato gnocchi, which is readily available in most grocery stores.
• Seasonings: To boost that authentic Olive Garden copycat flavor, consider adding a pinch of poultry seasoning along with the thyme, or dissolve a teaspoon of chicken bouillon crystals into your broth for an extra layer of umami.

How to Make Crispy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Get ready to create a truly spectacular pot of chicken gnocchi soup right in your own kitchen! Follow these steps for the perfect creamy, savory, and wonderfully textured result:

Prep Your Aromatics

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped celery, diced white onion, minced garlic, and shredded carrots. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and the vegetables are fragrant and softened. This builds the foundational flavor of your soup.

The Gnocchi Twist: Pan-Sear for Perfection

2. While your aromatics are sautéing, heat a separate non-stick pan over medium-high heat with a tiny splash of olive oil. Add the 16 ounces of potato gnocchi in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Briefly pan-sear the gnocchi for 2-3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until they are lightly golden and crispy on the outside. This crucial step prevents them from becoming mushy in the soup and adds that incredible textural contrast we’re after. Remove the pan-seared gnocchi from the heat and set aside.

Simmer to Flavor Perfection

3. Return to your large pot. Add the cooked and diced chicken, 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Carefully stir in your perfectly pan-seared gnocchi. Allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the gnocchi absorb some of that delicious broth.

The Creamy Finish

4. Finally, stir in the 2 cups of half and half and the 1 cup of fresh, roughly chopped spinach. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring gently, until the soup is creamy and the spinach has wilted beautifully. Taste the soup, adding more salt and pepper if needed to achieve your desired flavor balance. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Yield, Serving Size & Chicken Choices

This creamy chicken gnocchi soup recipe is truly a generous one! While some recipes might suggest it serves four, I find that it consistently yields about 6-8 hearty bowls, making it perfect for family dinners or a few days of satisfying leftovers.

When it comes to the chicken, my recipe calls for 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which usually weigh between 1.5 to 2 pounds total. This amount provides plenty of protein without making the soup feel like a chicken stew, a common mistake that can lead to a soup that’s too thick.

You have options for how to prepare your chicken: diced chicken offers distinct, tender chunks that provide a satisfying bite, while shredded chicken tends to melt into the soup more, creating a more uniform texture. Both are delicious, so choose what suits your preference for optimal soup texture!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Pro Tips for the Best Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Elevate your homemade chicken gnocchi soup with these expert tips, ensuring a flavorful and perfectly textured meal every time:

• Enhanced Creaminess: For an even richer, more luxurious chicken gnocchi soup, swap out one cup of half and half for heavy cream. You can also stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the half and half; it helps with emulsification and adds incredible body.
• Olive Garden Flavor Boost: To truly capture that Olive Garden copycat taste, don’t be shy with seasonings. In addition to thyme, consider adding a teaspoon of poultry seasoning. A secret ingredient? Dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon crystals in your broth for an instant umami punch. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
• Perfect Pan-Seared Gnocchi: The key to our unique twist is the pan-sear. Use a hot pan with just enough olive oil to coat the bottom. Don’t overcrowd the gnocchi; cook in batches if necessary to allow for proper browning and the Maillard reaction. Aim for a light golden crisp on the outside without letting them get too hard or overcooked.
• Thickening the Soup: If your soup turns out thinner than you prefer, don’t fret! Create a corn starch slurry by whisking 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Stir this into your simmering soup at the end and cook for another minute or two until it thickens to your desired consistency.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: This recipe can be adapted for a slow cooker! For another delicious creamy slow cooker chicken recipe, check out our white chicken chili. Sauté your vegetables (celery, onion, garlic, carrots) on the stovetop first for best flavor. Then, combine the sautéed veggies, cooked chicken, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1.5-2 hours. Add the pan-seared gnocchi and half and half during the last 30 minutes, then stir in the spinach right before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best chefs encounter challenges. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for to ensure your chicken gnocchi soup is nothing short of perfect:

• Overcooking Gnocchi: This is the number one mistake that leads to mushy gnocchi, completely defeating the purpose of our delicious pan-sear. Gnocchi cooks quickly, so stick to the recommended simmering time (3-4 minutes after adding to the boiling broth, then 10 minutes simmer).
• Soup Too Thick or Thin: Adding too much chicken can make your soup dense and chowder-like, while not enough broth or liquid will result in a very thick consistency. Conversely, too much liquid can make it watery. Always follow the specified liquid quantities and adjust with more broth or a corn starch slurry if needed.
• Lack of Flavor Depth: Don’t forget to taste and adjust your seasonings! Chicken gnocchi soup needs adequate salt and pepper. Skipping the bouillon or Parmesan can mean missing out on that crucial umami depth.
• Skipping the Pan-Sear: While you *can* add gnocchi directly to the soup, skipping the pan-searing step means you’ll miss out on the incredible crispy texture and nuanced flavor that sets this recipe apart. It’s worth the extra few minutes!

Serving & Storage

Serving Ideas

This creamy chicken gnocchi soup is a complete meal in itself, but it truly shines when paired with a few simple accompaniments. For that authentic Olive Garden copycat experience, I love serving it alongside warm, crusty breadsticks, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the rich broth. A fresh Italian green salad with a light vinaigrette makes for a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup. Don’t forget to garnish each bowl with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of fresh parsley or red pepper flakes for an extra pop of color and flavor. It’s the ultimate comfort food, ideal for cozy family dinners, entertaining friends, or a delightful solo meal.

Storage and Make-Ahead

This chicken gnocchi soup is fantastic for meal prep! Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.

For longer storage, you can freeze chicken gnocchi soup. However, if you plan to freeze it, I recommend freezing the soup base *without* the gnocchi. Gnocchi can become softer or slightly mushy in texture after freezing and thawing. If you do freeze it with the gnocchi, be aware of this potential change. For the best results, prepare a fresh batch of pan-seared gnocchi to add when you reheat the frozen soup. Reheat refrigerated soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. If it’s too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth or half and half to restore its creamy consistency. For frozen soup (without gnocchi), thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat as directed, adding freshly pan-seared gnocchi at the end.

To make this meal even quicker on a busy night, prepare your cooked chicken and chop all your vegetables in advance. This makes assembly a breeze!

Conclusion

I truly hope this recipe for Crispy Chicken Gnocchi Soup brings as much comfort and joy to your table as it does to mine. With its rich, creamy base, tender chicken, and that incredible unique twist of pan-seared, crispy gnocchi, it’s a dish that truly stands out from any other chicken gnocchi soup recipe out there. Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, my detailed instructions and expert tips will guide you to a fantastic result that tastes like your favorite Olive Garden copycat. Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or seasonings, and certainly enjoy it with some crusty bread. I’d love to hear how your soup turns out – leave a comment below or explore my other delicious soup recipes, like this best Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe!

FAQ

How can I thicken my chicken gnocchi soup if it’s too thin?

If your chicken gnocchi soup is too thin, you can easily thicken it. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into your simmering soup and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness. The soup will also thicken slightly as it cools.

What type of chicken is best for making chicken gnocchi soup?

For this chicken gnocchi soup, I recommend using 1.5-2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced or shredded. You can cook the chicken specifically for the soup, use leftover cooked chicken, or even a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience. Diced chicken offers distinct chunks, while shredded chicken blends more seamlessly into the soup.

Can I make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can absolutely adapt this chicken gnocchi soup for a slow cooker! For the best flavor, I recommend sautéing your celery, onion, garlic, and carrots on the stovetop first. Then, combine the sautéed vegetables, cooked chicken, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours. Add the pan-seared gnocchi and half and half during the last 30 minutes of cooking, then stir in the fresh spinach just before serving.

Do I need to cook gnocchi before adding it to the soup?

For my unique crispy chicken gnocchi soup, I recommend briefly pan-searing the gnocchi in a separate pan with a little olive oil until lightly golden and crispy on the outside. This crucial step develops an incredible texture and prevents the gnocchi from becoming mushy in the soup. After pan-searing, you’ll add the gnocchi to the simmering soup.

How do I store and reheat leftover chicken gnocchi soup?

Store leftover chicken gnocchi soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. If the soup has thickened too much, add a splash of chicken broth or half and half to restore its creamy consistency. For freezing, it’s best to freeze the soup base without the gnocchi, as gnocchi can change texture after freezing. If you do freeze with gnocchi, be aware it may be softer upon reheating. For optimal results, add freshly pan-seared gnocchi when reheating thawed soup.

Can I make this chicken gnocchi soup dairy-free or gluten-free?

Yes, this chicken gnocchi soup can be adapted for dietary needs! To make it dairy-free, substitute the half and half with full-fat unsweetened coconut milk or a creamy cashew milk alternative. Ensure it is unsweetened to maintain the savory flavor profile. For a gluten-free version, simply use your favorite brand of gluten-free potato gnocchi, which is widely available.

What is the typical serving size and yield for this recipe?

This recipe for chicken gnocchi soup typically yields about 6-8 hearty servings. It’s a generous amount, perfect for feeding a family or enjoying delicious leftovers for several days.