Description
Olive Garden’s legendary chicken gnocchi soup gets a delightful home-kitchen makeover with this creamy, comforting classic. Hearty potato gnocchi and tender chicken swim in a velvety broth that brings Italian-inspired warmth right to your dinner table, promising rich flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 16 ounces (454 grams) potato gnocchi, store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 cups half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, for depth of flavor)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the protein by seasoning chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook thoroughly and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, sautéing celery, onions, and carrots until they soften and become translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable mixture, stirring quickly to release aromatic flavors without burning, about 30-45 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, incorporating thyme, parsley, and a hint of nutmeg for depth of flavor. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Gently fold diced chicken into the simmering liquid, allowing the ingredients to meld together for 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully drop gnocchi into the pot, allowing them to cook until they float and become tender, typically 3-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, slowly incorporate half-and-half or heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent separation and maintain a smooth consistency.
- Add fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt gracefully into the soup without overcooking, which should take approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately in warm bowls, generously sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and accompanied by crusty bread for a complete dining experience.
Notes
- Pat the chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior that locks in maximum flavor.
- Low and slow cooking of aromatics develops a rich, deep base that elevates the entire soup’s taste profile.
- Avoid overcooking gnocchi by watching them closely; they’re ready when they float and look plump but not mushy.
- Temper the cream by adding a small amount of hot soup to it before incorporating to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, silky texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 34
- Calories: 157
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg