• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pass The Sushi logo
  • Travel
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • About
×

Home » Method » Slow Cooked Goodness

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

By: Kita · Published Feb 17, 2011 · Updated: Jan 5, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video SaveSaved!

This Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup is so quick and easy to make! The creamy texture and taste of this Olive Garden copycat taste just like the real deal! Forget about hitting the restaurant and make your own soup copycat at home.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup in a white bowl

This is one of my favorite soup recipes. The creamy texture, the ability to make it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, and the flavor - and just a few reasons why it’s first on my list when soup season arrives. 

I have tested (and loved) a few other Olive Garden Recipes. So if you need pairings or just crowd-pleasing favorites, check out the Chicken Scampi, Lasagna Fritta (my favorite), and the Copycat Spinach and Artichoke Dip too.

bowls of Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Why you'll love this recipe

  • The creamy chicken will warm your belly
  • It’s a great soup recipe to feed the family
  • You’ll save so much money making it easily at home!
ingredients for Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Ingredients

  • Onion - You can use a thinly sliced red or yellow onion. 
  • Celery - Chop up the celery into bite-sized pieces. 
  • Garlic - Minced garlic is best, but garlic powder works great, too. 
  • Butter & Olive oil - Coconut oil is also an option. 
  • Flour - Needed to add thickness to the soup. 
  • Half and a half - You can substitute heavy cream if it's what you have on hand.
  • Cooked chicken breasts - Feel free to use cooked dark meat here too. Any cooked and diced chicken, even rotisserie chicken, works great. Use up those leftovers! 
  • Carrot - You can shred or chop. 
  • Chicken broth - I like to use broth that is low in sodium. 
  • Fresh spinach - You can substitute it for frozen spinach. Just make sure to squeeze the water out.
  • Thyme - The perfect seasoning. 
  • Salt and pepper - To taste. 
  • Gnocchi - If you want to make it homemade, you can - but to save time, buy it at the store! 

How to make Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Olive Garden Soup on the Stove Top

  1. Cook the ingredients. Start by sauteing the onion, celery, and garlic in a pot over medium heat, or on the saute setting on your crockpot, in the butter and oil, until the onion is translucent; about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the flour. Next, add the flour and form a roux. Stir the flour in to coat the veggies and absorb the liquid. It will create a thick coating over the veggies as it cooks. This is the key to getting that creamy broth you crave!
  3. Add the chicken. Then add the half and half, chicken, and carrots, and allow the liquid to thicken.
  4. Cook the gnocchi. Meanwhile, if making on the stovetop and not in a slow cooker, pre-cook the gnocchi now as per the package instructions.

How to make Chicken Gnocchi Soup in the Crockpot 

Stir in the chicken broth, gnocchi, and spinach into the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Finally, cover and allow to cook for 4 to 5 hours on low until it's heated through, thick and creamy.

Pro Tips

  • This recipe calls for cooked chicken. However, you can use raw. Just brown the chicken in the pan or slow cooker and add time for the chicken to cook through in the broth before adding the gnocchi. (to make sure the chicken is done, check with a meat thermometer for an internal temperature reaching 165 degrees)
  • If you simmer the gnocchi too long, the soup can get starchy.
  • I love spinach and can't get enough of it. When added to the soup, it wilts to barely anything, so feel free to double or triple the spinach for this recipe.

How to store 

Ladle leftover soup into a resealable airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

How to reheat 

For best results, simmer on the stovetop, but if you are short on time, you can reheat in the microwave. 

Reheat in batches in the microwave or on the stovetop in a small pot as needed.

FAQs: Common Questions 

How many calories are in Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup?

In one serving, there are about 230-250 calories of soup! The same would be very comparable to copycat recipes. 

Does gnocchi make soup mushy?

If you overcook the gnocchi, it will make the soup mushy. Make sure to pay attention and remove them once they’re done cooking. 

How can you thicken soup?

If you want to make this gnocchi soup thicker, you can add a tad bit more flour. Stir, and then adjust as needed. 

Can you freeze Chicken gnocchi?

Yes, you can! Let the soup cool down all the way, and then store it in an airtight freezer. For the best flavor, eat it within three months of freezing it. 

slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup recipe Kita Roberts PassTheSushi

More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

  • Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Dip
  • Christmas Brunch: Slow Cooker Eggnog French Toast Monkey Bread
  • Creamy Slow Cooker Tomato Soup
  • Slow Cooker Barbecue Nachos

If you’ve tried my Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe or any other recipe on passthesushi.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also follow along for more good eats and travel tips on Instagram @passthesushi & @girlcarnivore, Twitter & Facebook.

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This is one of those recipes that is SO easy, once you make it, you'll be making it once a week!

I made this in a crock pot and let simmer for a while, adding the gnocchi and spinach towards the end when we were getting ready to serve it.
4.76 from 61 votes
Print Pin Rate Share by Text
Dinner
American
Author: Kita Roberts
4 hrs 15 mins
Serves: 8 servings

Equipment

  • Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 7-¼-Quart Round French (Dutch) Oven, Cerise (Cherry Red)
  • Y YHY 30oz Porcelain Pasta/Salad/Soup Bowls, Large Serving Bowl Set, Wide & Flat, Set of 6, White
  • Hamilton Beach 33969A 6-Quart Programmable Set & Forget w/Temperature Probe Slow Cooker Stainless Steel

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion - diced
  • ½ cup celery - sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves - minced
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 quart half and half - can use evaporated milk
  • 1 cup carrots - shredded
  • 1 cup chicken breasts - diced and cooked (can use canned chicken or turkey)
  • 1 14 ounce can chicken broth
  • 1 cup fresh spinach - coarsely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 16 ounce package gnocchi

Instructions

In a stock pot or Dutch Oven

  • In a large stockpot, saute the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil. 
  • When the onion is clear, add the flour and form a roux. 
  • Stir and cook for a minute.
  • Add the half and half.
  • Meanwhile, in another pan, cook the gnocchi. 
  • Add the carrots and chicken to the stockpot with the roux. Stir often.
  • When it gets thicker, add the chicken broth, gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings.
  • Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and ladle into bowls to serve.

For Slow Cooker:

  • Set the slow cooker to sautee, or use a pan over medium heat and saute the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil.
  • Form the roux as instructed above and add the half and half.
  • Add the carrots and chicken to the roux and stir.
  • Finally, add the broth and put in the uncooked gnocchi and spinach. Season.
  • Cover and heat on low for 4 to 5 hours until the gnocchi is cooked through.
  • Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Garnish with parmesan cheese and freshly grated black pepper for bonus flavors.
Frugal Antics of A Harried Homemaker from copykat.com

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 527mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

⭐ Tried this recipe? Rate it ⭐

Help out the next person and give it a star rating below!

More Slow Cooked Goodness

  • Slow Cooker Banana Oatmeal
  • Huli-Huli Bacon Chicken Bites
  • 20 Slow Cooker Game Day Recipes
  • Slow Cooker Lemon Artichoke Dip

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Tried this recipe? Rate it: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Blog is the New Black says

    February 17, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Hubba hubba! This looks creamy and comforting!

    Reply
  2. Dionne Baldwin says

    February 17, 2011 at 10:52 am

    You did an excellent job! So creamy, warm and delicious! When you are addicted to food a meat grinder can really get you excited! Oh the possibilities...

    Reply
  3. Danielle@Runs With Spatulas says

    February 17, 2011 at 11:14 am

    I actually just made this exact recipe on Monday. It's so delicious!

    Reply
  4. Chef Dennis says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I remember Kristen doing that soup because my wife loves it!! Great job recreating this delicious soup!
    and thanks for the tips on my last post, I did ad the warning
    cheers
    Dennis

    Reply
  5. Alex says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    I have never eaten at Olive Garden. I love gnocchi. Stop making me hungry. <3

    Reply
  6. Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Soup with gnocchi!!! Love this idea. It looks sooo good and comforting. 🙂 Soup is one of my favorite foods ever.

    Reply
  7. Kate @ Diethood.com says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    Oh lucky you...that's an awesome gift! Bravo boyfriend!!!
    That soup looks great! I love that it is with gnocchi...mmmm!

    Reply
  8. Katie says

    February 17, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    My sister would worship me if I made her this soup. It looks awesome.

    Reply
  9. Kristen says

    February 17, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    I made this for dinner tonight. It is quickly becoming my family's favorite soup. It's good to know it can be made in the crock pot.

    I cannot wait to see what you do with the meat grinder. What a great gift for a foodie!!!

    Reply
    • Kita says

      February 17, 2011 at 8:17 pm

      I was actually quite panicked through the day about how the half and half would hold up in a crock pot but it turned out just fine. This is a great base that I can easily see tweaking. I think next time I'll defiantly use kale instead of spinach because I love sneaking it in when I can and keep the chicken a little more chopped instead of shredded because I'd like the texture better.
      Thanks for the great inspiration!

      Reply
  10. In Katrina's Kitchen says

    February 18, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Love your blog! I was happy to see your post over at Chef Dennis' today. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  11. Mary says

    February 18, 2011 at 9:48 am

    I would have been excited about that also! I got an Ina Garten cookbook and I love it! Your soup looks delicious and It was great to meet you at Chef Dennis' today! Have a fabulous weekend!

    Mary

    Reply
  12. Susie Bee on Maui (Eat Little, Eat Big) says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Beautiful photos! And congrats on the guest post at Chef Dennis today-how I found you.

    Reply
  13. torviewtoronto says

    February 18, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    delicious soup looks wonderful

    Reply
  14. Monet says

    February 19, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Can I come over for a bowl of this soup? Wow! Talk about delicious! And I loved to hear about your present. My husband knows that anything to do with Kitchen Aid will make me smile!

    Reply
    • Patty McKee says

      October 04, 2014 at 6:22 pm

      You don't know what you are missing! You can get "All you can Eat Soup and bread sticks" for around $6.00 add $4.00 more you can add all you can eat salad too. You can try all the soups they serve, or stick to one. I LOVE their Gnocchi Soup! I love all of them, but that is favorite.
      So glad to get the recipe.

      Reply
  15. Jenn {Cookies Cupcakes Cardio} says

    February 19, 2011 at 9:59 am

    YUM! That soup looks so good . . . and the Olive Garden? Best restaurant ever! I can't wait to try it myself. Thanks!

    Reply
  16. rebecca says

    February 20, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    great soup and aw sweet gift

    Reply
  17. Merut says

    February 21, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    A meat grinder. How romantic! That is awesome. Sounds like my relationship too. Flowers and chocolates? Gag me. A new pair of socks? Excellent!!!
    I love the Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup (although I have a feeling it might be terrible for you), but I found some tiny onions in it and now have sworn it off for life. So imagine my excitement to find your recipe, where I can omit the little nasties? Thanks!

    Reply
  18. the constant hunger says

    February 22, 2011 at 7:26 am

    What an awesome gift. I've been dying for a Kitchen-Aid Stand mixer with meat grinder AND pasta attachments. Can't wait to see what recipes you make with it.

    Reply
  19. Snicks says

    October 09, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    Thank you for this delicious recipe! It was soooo yummy!

    Reply
  20. Shelly says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:14 am

    This might sound like a dumb question, but where can I find the gnocchi? I've looked at 2 stores, so far, in the refrigerated and frozen pasta sections with no luck! I bought tortellini, but I have a feeling that won't taste the same.

    Reply
    • Kita says

      January 10, 2012 at 7:41 am

      Hi Shelly, I am sorry to hear you can't find gnocchi in the frozen/refrigerated pasta section. My only other thought would be to try if you have a fresh pasta section in the deli area? Sometimes I have seen the Buitoni brand in many stores. And as a last ditch effort, I would check near the frozen potatoes, just in case. Personally, I think this soup would be rocking with the tortellini. Texture wise, a bit different, but I'll take stuffed pasta over gnocchi any day 😉 Letme know how it all works out for you.

      Reply
      • Connie says

        October 01, 2013 at 5:52 pm

        Gnocchi is also sometimes found in the dry pasta aisle. But I'm finding a lot of stores don't carry it. :-\

        Reply
    • Kayleigh says

      October 08, 2013 at 5:10 pm

      I actually found Gnocchi at the Dollar Tree of all places! And Safeway and commissaries have also carried it. And WalMart. Usually in the dried pasta aisles, and usually on the very top shelf.

      Reply
    • Tracy says

      October 25, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Gnocchi is also not hard to make if you can't find it in a nearby store.

      Reply
  21. Shelly says

    January 10, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    Made it with the cheese tortellini tonight and it was amazing! Thanks for the recipe and the advice!

    Reply
  22. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

    March 11, 2012 at 12:52 am

    Getting a meat grinder attachment for your Kitchenaid Mixer on Valentine's Day is every girl's dream 🙂

    This soup looks amazing. And I love that it's made in a crockpot. It makes life so much easier.

    Reply
  23. Marti says

    July 29, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    All I can say is yummmm!! I made this and it was a hit with the family! We will be making it again.

    Reply
  24. Amber says

    September 23, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    perfect recipe for this chilly fall day! If I make this in the crockpot should I follow regular cooking directions first or just dump everything in the crock pot?

    Reply
  25. Charlinealison says

    October 31, 2012 at 8:33 am

    I made this last night and it was delicious! Creamy and wonderful! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  26. Hilary says

    November 04, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I was wondering how long before you wanted to eat did you add the gnocchi and spinach?

    Reply
    • Kita says

      November 04, 2012 at 11:33 am

      I generally only add the gnocchi and spinach long enough for them to heat through. The spinach should just wilt into the soup. About 10-15 minutes. Thanks

      Reply
  27. Anita says

    November 05, 2012 at 7:34 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this soup recipe!! Made it for the first time today and my husband and I had our daughter and our son-in-law over to try it....it was a huge hit with everyone! I put everything in the crockpot to cook on low all day except for the spinach and gnocchi. I used a box of frozen spinach because the fresh spinach in the store looked horrible. It was fabulous!

    Reply
    • michelle says

      December 02, 2012 at 11:57 am

      Do you just add all the ingredients into the crockpot including the flour? Or does tge stuff need to be started on a stove top then put in crockpot after the flour is mixed in? Little nervous about adding dry flour straight to crockpot

      Reply
  28. Kirsten says

    December 15, 2012 at 7:23 am

    It doesn't tell you anywhere how manybowls of soup does it make for how many people?

    Reply
  29. Manda says

    December 29, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    I'm home alone for the weekend and I love expirementing in the kitchen when my parents are gone- mom is a chef so sometimes hard to work when she is home because she always wants it done her way lol. I made this soup tonight an I added red peppers and a shot of hot sauce and some grated cheese!! It was amazingly good!

    Reply
  30. Sylina says

    February 06, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    I can't wait to make this for my family but how much does it make???? Thanks for posting this recipe

    Reply
  31. Jenn says

    February 27, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    I am in school, is there anyway to make it in the morning and let it cook during the day? in a crock pot

    Reply
  32. ashley says

    March 23, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    I made this recipe a month or so ago, and my husband and I loved it. But it was even better the second day! So this time, I am making it, letting it sit in the fridge for a night, and eating it the next day. I think the flavors work so much better after hanging out for a little while! Love it!

    Reply
  33. Nona Codes says

    April 30, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    Made this soup with boneless, skinless chicken thighs and it was even better than Olive Garden! Also make the Zuppa Tuscana and it was delicious too. Thanks so much!!

    Reply
  34. Dennise says

    July 31, 2013 at 9:16 am

    How long should I leave this in the crockpot? How long is "all day"?

    Reply
    • Kita says

      August 01, 2013 at 9:15 pm

      5 to 7 hours on low. Hope this helps!

      Reply
      • Nicole says

        January 19, 2014 at 7:52 pm

        Do you just put it all in at once? Or do you cook it on the stove first?

        Reply
  35. ashley says

    September 21, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I love this recipe. Creamy and delicious, just perfect for the fall weather we are just now experiencing! I have made this a couple times and discovered it was better the second day. so now I make it late one night before going to bed, and refrigerate it overnight. The next day I heat it up for dinner and its AMAZING!

    Reply
  36. Camille says

    November 18, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    Kinda sad it tasted nothing like it To me 🙁 it's usually my favorite soup! I followed directions exactly too... it was either the thyme or onion that bothered me

    Reply
  37. Lily Taggart says

    November 21, 2013 at 5:53 pm

    How many does it serve?

    Reply
  38. PeggySue says

    January 15, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    If you can't find gnocchi in your supermarket do what I've done out of sheer laziness to shop and pull the inside of potato rolls and roll them in your hands to make little potato dumplings. 🙂 Not the same but pretty tasty.

    Reply
  39. Danielle says

    January 28, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    I have made this on the stove top and in a crock pot and both turned out amazing! Granted when making it in a crock
    pot u have to prep it on the stove top! Regardless my whole family loves this soup!! We all think it's better than the Olive Garden soup.

    Reply
  40. Darlene says

    February 21, 2015 at 6:09 am

    The creamy texture of the soup just made my mouth water.

    Reply
  41. Audrey Hood says

    June 14, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    This was delicious! We added a few more cloves of garlic, and a few more herbs, like oregano and thyme, and it was soooo good! The only mistake we made is we doubled the recipe. Now we have soup for an army, and there's just 2 of us. Can you freeze the leftovers?

    Reply
  42. Clark says

    April 13, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    How long should it cook in a slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Kita says

      May 04, 2020 at 12:11 pm

      ONly 3 to 4 hours - anything too long and the gnocchi can get a bit squishy.

      Reply
  43. Cheryl Johnson-Domino says

    February 06, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    I just made this soup and it turned out delicious. I did not have half and half or evaporated milk so I just used regular milk and it worked just fine. I also thought the recipe called for peas so I added a few. My granddaughter would be impressed because she really likes her peas. I would make this soup in a heartbeat again. Absolutely delicious.

    Reply
  44. walter says

    November 22, 2022 at 2:07 pm

    Hey! Loved the recipe. Made it for dinner but with a simple alteration. I sauted the onion,garlic in organic cow ghee instead of butter and olive oil.and it turned out to be utterly delicious. I think for keto diet followers, ghee is the healthiest option. It not only keeps you fuller for longer but also helps in weight loss. You must try this recipe with organic ghee.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Kita! The mountain biking, travel junkie, professional freelance photographer, and creator behind the scenes.

More about me →

Search

Trending Recipes

  • The 9 Must-Have Cocktail Mixers for Your Home Bar
  • Toast to the Cold: How to Stock a Bar for the Best Winter Cocktails
  • Spicy Cucumber Martini
  • Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast

Current Wanderlust

  • Huckleberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse

  • Cocktail Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • Travel & Resources

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails & updates

Information

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 PasstheSushi