Description
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup delivers creamy comfort with tender potato dumplings and succulent chicken swimming in a rich, herb-infused broth. Hearty spoonfuls promise warmth and satisfaction that bring Italian restaurant magic right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 (12-ounce) package potato gnocchi
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Create a rich, flavorful base by searing chicken pieces in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and caramelized, then transfer to a holding plate.
- In the same pot, sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their aromatic essence, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable medley, stirring quickly to prevent burning and allow the herbs to release their fragrant oils.
- Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, incorporating dried thyme and rosemary for depth of flavor. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer, allowing herbs to infuse for 12-15 minutes.
- Carefully drop potato gnocchi into the simmering liquid, cooking until they float to the surface and achieve a tender, pillowy texture.
- Stream heavy cream into the soup, creating a luxurious, velvety consistency. Fold in fresh spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and integrate seamlessly with the creamy broth.
- Reintroduce the previously seared chicken back into the soup, ensuring each piece is thoroughly heated and coated with the rich, herbal liquid.
- Fine-tune the seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, balancing the soup’s complex flavor profile.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of savory depth.
Notes
- Choose bite-sized chicken pieces for even cooking and quick preparation, ensuring each piece browns uniformly.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version that still maintains creamy texture.
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative to cooking chicken from scratch, which adds extra flavor depth.
- Consider gluten-free gnocchi or replace with cauliflower gnocchi for lower-carb dietary needs without compromising soup’s richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg