Chicken Gnocchi Soup (2024)

Andrea
Published on / Last updated on

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Thick, creamy, and oh so cozy. A big bowl of this delicious chicken gnocchi soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day!

This is a popular recipe at Olive Garden, and we’ve perfected our own version. For more Olive Garden copycats, check out our Zuppa Toscana or Tuscan Garlic Chicken.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (1)

Cozy Soup in 35 Minutes!

This creamy, comforting soup is based off of my popular sausage and tortellini soup. It’s loaded with carrots, celery, chicken, gnocchi and spinach. Bonus: it only takes 35 minutes to make, start to finish!

The most time consuming part about this recipeis the prep. Pulling rotisserie chicken, chopping vegetables, and grabbing spices. Once you’ve turned on the heat, it only takes 20 minutes to make. It’s great for busy weeknights or those night where you don’t feel like cooking but still want a homemade meal.

This creamy, hearty soup has made its appearance at our table more than a few times this past year. It’s easy to make, tastes amazing and reheats perfectly the following day.

Let’s talk gnocchi for a minute.

If you’re new to gnocchi, it’s basically a puffy potato pasta/dumpling. You can find it on the pasta aisle or in the refrigerated section of most well stocked grocery stores.

I’ve used “packaged” gnocchi twice and “fresh” gnocchi once. They both are great as long as you don’t overcook them. Gnocchi will break down the longer you cook them.

They only need to be in the soup for 5 minutes tops (remember, the pot will be full, the liquid is thick and the heat is medium, so it will take longer then what the package recommends).

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (2)

How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup

SAUTE. In a large stockpot set over medium heat, add butter. Add onion, shallot, carrot, and celery, sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.

COOK. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add in the chicken broth, then milk, whisk to combine. Add salt, Italian seasoning, thyme, pepper, and paprika.

SIMMER. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the rotisserie chicken and spinach and gnocchi. Stir continuously for 1 minute, then simmer for 4 additional minutes.

SERVE. Remove from heat and serve. We like to serve this soup with salad or bread. Some of our favorites include:

  • Apple Harvest Salad
  • Garlic Parmesan Artisan Bread
  • Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
  • Buttery Pull Apart Rolls

Variations

  • Make it creamier by adding half and half or heavy cream instead of whole milk.
  • Add in more veggies like peas or asparagus.
  • Use mini gnocchi, they are a better size for soup.
  • If you don’t have a rotisserie chicken, follow this Instant pot Shredded Chicken recipe.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (3)

Storage Tips

Keep the soup STORED in an airtight container in the fridge. REHEATlarge portions on the stovetop and smaller portions in the microwave. Heat until warmed through and if it is too thick you can add in extra broth or milk.

We don’t recommend freezing leftovers because the texture of the gnocchi won’t do well after being frozen and thawed. However, if you wanted to double this recipe and freeze half of it we recommend cooking the gnocchi separately and add it into individual servings.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (4)

For more chicken soup recipes, try:

  • Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • Chicken Wild Rice Soup
  • Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Chicken Fajita Soup

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (5)

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Thick, creamy and oh so cozy. A big bowl of this delicious chicken gnocchi soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day!

4.68 from 50 votes

Pin Rate Save

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 -6 servings

Calories: 686kcal

Author: Andrea

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion - diced
  • 1 small shallot - diced
  • 4 large carrots - peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks - thinly sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves - minced
  • ¼ c. all-purpose flour
  • 5 c. chicken broth
  • 2 c. whole milk
  • 1 tsp. kosher sea salt
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika
  • 2 c. shredded or cubed rotisserie chicken
  • 4 ounces chopped fresh spinach
  • 16 oz. packaged or refrigerated gnocchi

Instructions

  • In a large stockpot set over medium heat, add butter.Add onion, shallot, carrot, and celery, sauté for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.

  • Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add in the chicken broth, then milk, whisk to combine. Add salt, Italian seasoning, thyme, pepper, and paprika. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5minutes.

  • Add the rotisserie chicken and spinach and gnocchi. Stir continuously for 1 minute, then simmer for 4 additional minutes. Remove from heat and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 686kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 2148mg | Potassium: 1086mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 13612IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 8mg

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (2024)

FAQs

Should you cook gnocchi before adding to soup? ›

No, you do not have to cook gnocchi before putting it in a soup. As long as the soup is hot and simmering, the dumplings will cook in about five to six minutes in the soup. How do you keep gnocchi from getting soggy in soup? Add gnocchi toward the end of the cooking process to keep them from becoming soggy and mushy.

What are gnocchi made of? ›

What is gnocchi? Gnocchi, pronounced 'n(y)oh-kee' (singular 'gnocco'), are a type of pasta consisting of soft, fat and chewy dumplings, typically paired with ragú, tomato or butter sauce. Traditionally, gnocchi dough is made of semolina or plain wheat flour, egg, and mashed potato.

How many calories are in chicken gnocchi soup at Olive Garden? ›

Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup (1 bowl) contains 24g total carbs, 23g net carbs, 13g fat, 10g protein, and 250 calories.

How long can chicken gnocchi soup sit out? ›

On most occasions, you shouldn't leave soup out overnight. This is because when the stock in the soup cools below 130°F, dangerous bacteria can multiply. If you do decide that you want to leave soup out overnight, it's recommended that you boil the soup for 10 minutes to kill any active bacteria.

Is it better to pan fry or boil gnocchi? ›

Can you fry gnocchi instead of boiling it? You can but the best option is to boil it first and then lightly fry in a little butter or olive oil. Once they've taken a little colour, add a few torn basil leaves and then sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Does packaged gnocchi need to be boiled? ›

(To re-hydrate, most packages recommend boiling the gnocchi for about three minutes before saucing, topping, and eating.)

Is gnocchi more unhealthy than pasta? ›

Nutritional Value

Believe it or not, regular pasta is actually more carb-heavy than gnocchi, coming in at around 2 times the amount of carbs per serving. Gnocchi is also notorious for having a lot more sodium, with over 200 grams of it per serving. Regular pasta doesn't have nearly as high of a sodium content.

Is gnocchi good or bad for you? ›

Similar to pasta, gnocchi is high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Although both are carbohydrate-heavy foods, it has been shown that regular pasta may have less of an effect on blood sugar levels. One publication points to the fact that pasta doesn't raise blood sugar after a meal to the level that potatoes do.

What do Italians eat gnocchi with? ›

Roasted potatoes and polenta are perfect to serve alongside this dish.

What is the most popular soup at Olive Garden? ›

Zuppa Toscana – Olive Garden Copycat (VIDEO) Zuppa Toscana is Olive Garden's most popular soup. This one-pot, homemade Zuppa Toscana recipe is hearty and loaded with Italian sausage, kale, bacon and potatoes.

Is olive garden healthy for you? ›

Olive Garden's healthiest meals come from their Lighter Italian Fare menu. Olive Garden claims that their Lighter Italian Fare menu items are inspired by Italy's Mediterranean Coast where the diet is primarily vegetables, whole grains, herbs and spices, and olive oil.

What is zuppa soup made of? ›

It is made in one-pot and loaded with Italian sausage, bacon, potatoes, garlic, and kale. Creamy, satisfying, and delicious! The Olive Garden restaurant made Zuppa Toscana (Tuscan soup) extremely popular. It is a creamy soup made with Italian sausage, bacon, tender potatoes, garlic, and kale.

Will gnocchi get soggy in soup? ›

Will Gnocchi Get Soggy In Soup? Yes, which is why we cook gnocchi outside of the soup.

Can I eat chicken soup after 5 days? ›

For best safety and quality, plan to eat refrigerated soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it. And avoid letting soup set at room temperature for more than TWO hours. Don't put a large pot of hot soup directly into your refrigerator.

Can I eat gnocchi after 4 days? ›

To store: Keep fresh gnocchi in the fridge for up to 1 month, once opened use within 48 hours. Vacuum packed gnocchi can be stored in a dark, dry cupboard for up to 3 months. Once opened store in the fridge and used within 3 days.

Is it better to cook pasta before adding to soup? ›

Don't over-cook the pasta

To ensure you get it just right, make sure the soup is nearly cooked before adding the pasta. Smaller pasta shapes soak up broth readily so ensure you serve the soup as soon as it's cooked. Alternatively, you could cook the pasta separately and add to the soup at the last moment.

Does gnocchi have to be boiled before baking? ›

Baked — not boiled — potatoes are the key to this fluffy potato gnocchi recipe. Elizabeth Mervosh is a recipe tester and developer for Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. She creates and fine-tunes recipes for brands including Southern Living, Real Simple, Food & Wine, People, and EatingWell.

What happens if you don't boil gnocchi? ›

There is no need to boil the gnocchi before pan frying it.

You can skip the boiling when frying your gnocchi. However, if you prefer your gnocchi a touch softer, you could boil it first and then pan fry them for about 3-5 minutes instead of the full time to brown.

How to stop gnocchi from going soggy? ›

When cool enough to handle, scrape off the skins and push the potato through a ricer or food mill, then, while still warm, start working your dough on a floured work surface. (Here, Davies offers up another tip to fight the mush: “Spread out the mash to cool; the escaping steam will further take away any moisture.”)

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