Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup 2026

If you have ever sat in a booth at Olive Garden on a rainy afternoon, breadstick in hand, waiting for a bowl of their famous chicken and potato dumpling soup to arrive, you already know why this dish has such a devoted following. Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is creamy, savory, and packed with tender chicken, soft potato dumplings, and just enough spinach to make you feel like you’re eating something wholesome. The good news? You don’t need a reservation or a drive across town to enjoy it.

Current menu check: A bowl of Chicken & Gnocchi Soup is listed from $9.29 and contains about 230 calories. Prices and nutrition can vary by location.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home, what goes into the original recipe, how many calories are in a typical serving, and how to adapt it for a slow cooker or crockpot. Whether you’re craving a copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup for a weeknight dinner or you’re simply searching for the best chicken gnocchi soup recipe on the internet, this article has you covered from start to finish.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

What Is Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy Italian-American soup built on a base of chicken broth, half and half, shredded roasted chicken, soft potato gnocchi, carrots, celery, and fresh spinach. It’s part of the rotating Olive Garden soup and salad menu, alongside favorites like Zuppa Toscana and Pasta e Fagioli, and it remains one of the most requested items on the entire Olive Garden menu.

The magic of this soup lies in its textural contrast. The gnocchi small pillowy potato dumplings stay soft without falling apart, while the vegetables add a light crunch and the broth ties everything together with a rich, savory finish. It’s the kind of soup that feels indulgent but is actually fairly simple to put together once you know the steps.

If you want to double-check what’s currently being served alongside it, you can browse the full Olive Garden menu with prices to see how the soup fits into the broader lineup of appetizers and entrees.

What Is in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup? (Ingredients Breakdown)

Before you start cooking, it helps to understand the core Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for a homemade version that stays true to the original:

  • Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast works best
  • Potato gnocchi: Store-bought or homemade Italian dumplings
  • Chicken broth: The savory backbone of the soup
  • Half and half: For that signature creamy texture
  • Carrots and celery: Finely diced for a classic mirepoix base
  • Yellow onion and garlic: Aromatics that build depth of flavor
  • Fresh spinach: Added at the end for color and nutrients
  • Butter and flour: Used to make a light roux that thickens the broth
  • Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper – for that familiar restaurant-style flavor

This ingredient list answers one of the most common questions people search for: what is in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup? It’s a straightforward combination, and most of these items are already sitting in your kitchen or easy to find at any grocery store.

How to Make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Step-by-Step)

Here is the full method for how to make Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup at home, using one pot from start to finish.

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base

Melt butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2: Make the Roux

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1–2 minutes. This step is what gives the soup its thick, restaurant-style consistency instead of a thin, watery broth.

Step 3: Add the Broth and Simmer

Slowly whisk in chicken broth to avoid lumps, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes so the vegetables become tender and the flavors deepen.

Step 4: Stir in Chicken and Gnocchi

Add shredded chicken and potato gnocchi directly into the pot. Simmer for another 5–7 minutes, or until the gnocchi float to the top and turn soft and tender.

Step 5: Finish with Cream and Spinach

Lower the heat and pour in half and half, stirring gently. Add fresh spinach and let it wilt for 2–3 minutes. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve Warm

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately, ideally alongside warm breadsticks. If you’re curious how the restaurant version compares, check the current Olive Garden soup and salad prices before your next visit.

This entire process takes about 35–40 minutes, making it one of the easiest chicken gnocchi soup recipes you can pull together on a weeknight.

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a Slow Cooker or Crockpot

If you prefer a hands-off approach, Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup slow cooker and Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup crockpot versions are both very achievable.

  1. Add raw chicken breasts, broth, diced onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and seasoning to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
  3. Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
  4. Stir in gnocchi and cook on high for another 15–20 minutes, until soft.
  5. Add half and half and spinach in the final 10 minutes so the cream doesn’t separate.

This slow cooker method is perfect for busy families who want a warm, comforting bowl waiting for them at the end of the day without babysitting a stovetop.

How Many Calories Are in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

One of the most searched questions about this dish is how many calories are in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. A typical bowl about 1.5 cups from the restaurant contains roughly 250–300 calories, depending on portion size and preparation.

A homemade version can vary based on how much cream and butter you use, but making it yourself gives you full control over lighter substitutions like whole milk or a plant-based cream alternative if you’re watching calories or fat content.

Is Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Gluten Free?

The traditional recipe is not gluten-free, since it contains both wheat-based gnocchi and a flour-based roux. If you need a gluten-free version, look for gluten-free potato gnocchi at the store and substitute the flour with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the ingredients, chicken, broth, vegetables, and cream, are naturally gluten-free.

Can You Freeze Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

Yes, but with a caveat. Cream-based soups like this one can separate or turn grainy after freezing and thawing. If you plan to freeze a batch, it’s best to leave out the half and half and gnocchi before freezing the broth and chicken mixture. When you’re ready to eat it, reheat the base, then add fresh gnocchi and cream at the end for the best texture.

How Long Does Chicken Gnocchi Soup Last in the Fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, homemade chicken gnocchi soup lasts about 3–4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, to keep the cream from breaking. Avoid microwaving on high power for long stretches, as this can cause the dairy to curdle.

Tips for the Best Homemade Gnocchi Soup

  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time without sacrificing flavor.
  • Don’t overcook the gnocchi they only need a few minutes to become tender.
  • Add spinach at the very end so it stays bright green instead of turning mushy.
  • For an extra restaurant-style touch, finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.
  • Pair your bowl with a side salad or breadsticks, just like a real Olive Garden soup and salad combo.

FAQ: Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

How do you make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

You make it by sautéing vegetables, building a roux with butter and flour, simmering in chicken broth, then adding shredded chicken, potato gnocchi, half and half, and fresh spinach until everything is warmed through and creamy.

What is in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

The soup includes chicken, potato gnocchi, chicken broth, half and half, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, spinach, and Italian seasoning.

How many calories are in Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

A standard restaurant-size bowl has approximately 250–300 calories, though this can vary by portion and recipe.

What kind of gnocchi does Olive Garden use?

Olive Garden uses small, soft potato-based gnocchi, similar to what you’d find in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.

Can you freeze Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

Yes, but it’s best to freeze the broth and chicken separately from the cream and gnocchi to avoid a grainy texture after thawing.

Conclusion

Making Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home is easier than most people expect, and the payoff is a warm, creamy bowl of comfort that rivals the restaurant version. Whether you cook it on the stovetop in under 40 minutes or let a slow cooker do the work for you, this copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe is a reliable go-to for chilly evenings, lazy Sundays, or whenever a craving strikes.

Ready to compare your homemade bowl to the original? Check out the full Olive Garden menu and prices before your next visit, and let us know in the comments how your homemade version turned out.

Maria Conti
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