What’s In Olive Garden’s Famous Chicken Gnocchi Soup?
Olive Garden’s creamy and hearty chicken gnocchi soup is a customer favorite, with its pillowy gnocchi dumplings and tender chicken pieces swimming in a rich, velvety broth. This soup is the essence of comfort food. But what exactly gives this soup its distinctly delicious flavors? Let’s break down the key ingredients that make this soup so crave-worthy.
Gnocchi Dumplings
The star ingredient is the soft, pillowy potato gnocchi dumplings. Gnocchi provides a delightful, chewy texture that makes the soup feel so hearty. The gnocchi soaks up the flavors of the broth beautifully. Olive Garden uses shelf-stable packaged gnocchi made from potatoes, flour, and sometimes eggs. Using store-bought gnocchi keeps this soup quick and easy to make at home.
ChickenTender juicy chunks of chicken breast bring savory protein and lots of flavor. Olive Garden likely uses diced pre-cooked chicken breast which allows the meat to soak up the seasoning of the broth. When making this soup yourself, leftover rotisserie chicken works great.
Onions and Celery
Sautéed onions and celery create an aromatic flavor base. The onions provide sweetness while the celery brings out savory, earthy notes. They add texture and crunch too.
Cream and Butter
Heavy cream and butter thicken the broth and give it a velvety, luxurious texture. The creaminess is what makes this soup feel so indulgent. A butter and flour roux helps thicken the broth as well.
Chicken Broth
The soup base starts with chicken broth, which provides a savory, rich foundation of flavor. Olive Garden likely uses a low-sodium broth and adjusts seasoning from there. When making this at home, you can control the seasoning to your taste.
Garlic
Minced garlic adds a punch of aromatic flavor that makes the broth taste vibrant and delicious. Fresh garlic makes all the difference.
Herbs and Spices
Dried herbs like thyme, parsley, and nutmeg add layers of flavor complexity. Thyme gives classic herbal notes while parsley provides freshness. Nutmeg lends subtle warmth and enhances the creamy flavors.
Spinach
Fresh spinach contributes color, texture, nutrients, and flavor. The leafy greens pair perfectly with the creamy broth.
Carrots
Shredded carrots bring natural sweetness and color to the soup. They also add fiber and vitamins.
Customizations
Olive Garden allows customizations like roasted garlic, extra vegetables, or Parmesan cheese to make this soup your own. Feel free to tweak this recipe to suit your tastes!
The magic of Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup lies in the combination of tender gnocchi, juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and a seasoned, velvety cream broth. Recreating this at home using a simple recipe is totally doable and so satisfying. With common ingredients, you can enjoy this crave-worthy soup without leaving your kitchen. This soup makes for the ultimate comforting meal on a cold day. Give it a try and taste the flavors that have made this Olive Garden’s most popular soup.
Some key tips when making this yourself:
-
Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Jarred just won’t cut it.
-
Simmer the cream gently to avoid curdling. Don’t let it boil.
-
Sauté the vegetables first for deeper flavor.
-
Season to taste. You may need more salt than the recipe calls for.
-
Use frozen gnocchi for the tenderest texture.
-
Adding roasted garlic or onions amps up the flavors.
-
Garnish with shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese.
Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup has reached legend status on the menu because of its craveable flavors. With a few simple tricks, you can recreate the magic right at home. Get ready to enjoy piping hot bowls of this creamy, comforting soup all winter long. It may become your new go-to for a quick dinner or as the starter to a nice meal. However you enjoy it, this copycat recipe captures the delightful flavors that have made Olive Garden’s soup an instant classic.
What do I need to make Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup at home?
Here’s a quick-reference check list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this soup:
- Olive oil
- Bacon
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Yellow Onion
- Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
- Half and Half – you can also use heavy cream for a richer broth or whole milk a less-heavy base.
- Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken – I like to purchase pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken at Costco. They sell it in vacuum-sealed packages. It’s one of my 15 Things I Buy at Costco for Healthy Meals.
- Potato gnocchi – smaller “gnocchetti” work well in soup
- Fresh baby spinach
- Italian Herb Seasoning
- Garlic salt
- Ground Pepper
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions, be sure to reference the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
How do I make Olive Garden’s gnocchi soup at home?
Start by cooking 6 strips of bacon, to a crisp texture. Crumble into pieces and set the bacon off to the side.
Next, in the bottom of a Dutch oven or stock pot, add about two tablespoons of the bacon grease, and sauté the carrots and onions until slightly soft and translucent. Add in the garlic and sauté for one more minute.
Once the vegetables have cooked, add in the chicken broth, cooked chicken and spices, and bring to a low boil over medium heat.
Once the soup comes to a boil, add in the gnocchi and half and half. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer.
Lastly, add in the fresh spinach and bacon to the soup. Cook just until the spinach wilts.
Love cooking with gnocchi? Check out my Italian Sausage Gnocchi in Creamy Red Sauce for fantastic and quick weeknight dinner idea!
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
FAQ
What is in Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup?
Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy soup made with roasted chicken, traditional Italian potato dumplings (gnocchi), and spinach, all in a flavorful broth. It also includes carrots, celery, onions, and garlic as part of the base.
Is chicken gnocchi soup healthy from Olive Garden?
Olive Garden’s Chicken & Gnocchi soup is not considered a very healthy option due to its high calorie, fat, and sodium content.
Does Olive Garden gnocchi have potatoes?
Is Olive Garden Gnocchi Made Of Potatoes? Yes, Olive Garden does indeed use a traditional style of gnocchi made of potatoes in their chicken gnocchi soup. A mixture of mashed potatoes, flour and egg come together to form a pillow dumpling perfect for various sauces or in soups.
What are the four soups at Olive Garden ingredients?
- Chicken & Gnocchi: A creamy soup made with roasted chicken, traditional Italian dumplings and spinach.
- Pasta e Fagioli: White and red beans, ground beef, tomatoes and pasta in a savory broth.
- Minestrone (V): Fresh vegetables, beans and pasta in a light tomato broth – a vegetarian classic.
What is olive garden chicken & gnocchi soup?
Keep reading to find out. What is Olive Garden’s Chicken & Gnocchi Soup? Olive Garden’s Chicken & Gnocchi Soup is described as “a creamy soup made with roasted chicken, traditional Italian dumplings and spinach” on the chain’s website. It is listed under the category of “homemade soups,” which include pasta e fagioli, minestrone, and Tuscan soup.
What is chicken gnocchi soup?
Imagine wrapping your hands around a warm bowl of rich, creamy soup—pillowy gnocchi, tender pieces of chicken, vibrant spinach, and whispers of thyme and garlic mingling in every bite. This dreamlike delight is none other than Olive Garden’s famous Chicken Gnocchi Soup, a dish beloved by diners for its indulgent flavors and comforting feel.
How long does it take to make chicken gnocchi soup?
This copycat Olive Garden recipe combines pillowy potato gnocchi and tender chicken in a rich, creamy broth with fresh vegetables and herbs. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect comforting soup for any occasion. Every time I make this Olive Garden inspired Chicken Gnocchi Soup my kitchen fills with the most amazing aromas.
How many calories in Olive Garden chicken & gnocchi soup?
Make it healthier at home with the Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup Copycat Recipe. A Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup contains 230 calories, 12 grams of fat and 22 grams of carbohydrates. Keep reading to see the full nutrition facts and Weight Watchers points for a Chicken & Gnocchi Soup from Olive Garden Italian Kitchen.
How many calories are in a chicken & gnocchi soup?
A Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup contains 230 calories, 12 grams of fat and 22 grams of carbohydrates. Keep reading to see the full nutrition facts and Weight Watchers points for a Chicken & Gnocchi Soup from Olive Garden Italian Kitchen. *All percent daily value figures are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
What’s in a chicken gnocchi recipe?
This replica dish contains olive oil, onion, celery, carrots, spices and seasoning, shredded chicken breast, potato gnocchi, chicken stock, half and half, and fresh spinach. But hey, we won’t even be offended if you don’t like our recipe.