Chicken Gnocchi Soup You’ll Crave Again and Again

Creamy Comfort for Cold Nights or Busy Weekdays

There’s something magical about a warm, creamy soup that tastes just like your favorite restaurant—but without the drive, the wait, or the toddler tantrums in a booth. This copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup became our cozy solution one night when no one wanted to cook, but takeout wasn’t an option. It delivered big flavors, zero fuss, and made us all feel like we were sitting down to something special—even in pajamas.

When Home Feels Like the Real Deal

There’s a joy in recreating something familiar from scratch, especially when your kids slurp it up without protest. The creamy broth, the fluffy gnocchi, the bites of chicken—all of it comes together in a way that’s equal parts soothing and satisfying. This soup turned a random Wednesday into a “let’s make this a weekly thing” night. You don’t need a culinary degree to make it work either. The whole pot came together faster than most delivery apps estimate their wait time.

And let’s be honest—when dinner is this good, it’s a tiny parenting win you absolutely get to savor.

What Made This One Stick

I’ve tried to chase restaurant comfort food at home before, but this soup hit different. The balance of thyme-scented broth with the sweet earthiness of carrots and spinach made it feel richer than it should for how easy it is. It’s also wildly flexible—skip the spinach if your kid side-eyes anything green, or toss in leftover roasted veggies to make it your own. One pot, minimal cleanup, maximum comfort.

Even my partner—who usually wants meat-and-potato meals—went in for seconds, saying it “tasted like fall in a bowl.”

The Meal That Makes You Pause

This soup is more than a recipe—it’s a reminder to slow down, grab bowls, and sit at the table even if just for ten quiet minutes. That’s what it gave us: a break. And in the chaos of parenting, those tiny, flavorful moments are everything. If you’re looking for a win this week, this one’s it.

Closing Thoughts:
Whether it’s your first time making gnocchi soup or your fiftieth, this copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup proves that comfort can be homemade—and even better when shared.

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A cozy, creamy soup loaded with tender gnocchi, hearty chicken, sweet carrots, and vibrant spinach — all brought together in a thyme-scented broth.

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: chicken gnocchi soup, easy chicken soup, family soup, homemade gnocchi dinner, italian comfort soup, olive garden recipe, olive garden soup copycat, spinach gnocchi bowl, weeknight meals

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 bowls

Calories: 218kcal

Cost: $0.00

Equipment

• 1 large pot for sautéing and simmering
• 1 cutting board for prepping vegetables and chicken
• 1 Chef’s Knife to chop vegetables and cube chicken
• 1 Wooden Spoon for stirring the soup
• 1 measuring cups and spoons for liquid and spice measurements
• 1 grater or microplane for shaving fresh parmesan

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
• 1 small yellow onion finely diced
• 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots loosely packed
• 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs cooked and diced
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 package potato gnocchi 16 oz
• 1.5 cups half and half
• 1 cup baby spinach roughly chopped

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Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced celery, minced garlic, and shredded carrots. Cook for 3–4 minutes until onions are translucent and vegetables are softened.
  2 tbsp olive oil, 1 small yellow onion, 2 stalks celery, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• Add diced cooked chicken thighs to the pot. Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and stir in dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3 boneless skinless chicken thighs, 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1 tsp dried thyme
• Gently stir in the potato gnocchi. Let boil for 3–4 minutes until the gnocchi float and are tender.
  1 package potato gnocchi
• Reduce heat to a low simmer. Add half and half and stir in chopped spinach. Cook for 1–2 more minutes until spinach wilts and soup is creamy.
  1.5 cups half and half, 1 cup baby spinach

Notes

For beginners: sauté vegetables just until the onions look translucent — don’t brown them. Gnocchi floats when it’s done cooking.

This recipe is an independent creation and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any brand.

Nutrition values and dietary labels are estimates and not guaranteed to be accurate.

Nutrition

Serving: 150g | Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 763IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 1mg