Description
Olive Garden’s creamy chicken gnocchi soup delights diners with its rich, comforting blend of tender chicken and pillowy potato dumplings. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this restaurant-inspired dish a perfect weeknight dinner for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) potato gnocchi
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1 cup (140 g) carrots, shredded
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup (30 g) fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a spacious pot over medium heat, gently sautéing diced onions, minced garlic, julienned carrots, and chopped celery until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Stream in chicken broth and elevate to a gentle simmer, incorporating shredded chicken, fragrant thyme, and robust Italian seasoning, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Carefully introduce pillowy gnocchi into the simmering liquid, cooking until they gracefully float to the surface, which typically takes 3-4 minutes.
- Lower the heat and introduce heavy cream and milk, stirring consistently to create a luxurious, velvety consistency that thickens within 2-3 minutes.
- Fold in fresh spinach leaves, seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, and allow greens to delicately wilt and integrate into the soup’s rich landscape.
- Ladle the steaming, creamy soup into warm bowls, ensuring each serving captures the harmonious blend of tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and vibrant vegetables.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by using homemade chicken broth for a richer, more authentic taste profile.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or milk alternatives for lighter, healthier version perfect for calorie-conscious diners.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms to increase mineral and vitamin content.
- Ensure gnocchi doesn’t become mushy by cooking precisely 3-4 minutes and avoiding overcrowding in the pot during preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg