Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

This Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is a spin on the Olive Garden classic; creamy soup with juicy chicken, veggies, and pillow-soft gnocchi. Cozy up with a bowl of this classic restaurant meal from the comfort of home!

So you're looking for more comfort food in a bowl? Then you have to warm up with my Low-Carb Chicken Pot Pie Soup or this Chicken Lime and Avocado Soup.

Whether you want a casual night in or are trying to save some money, making your favorite restaurant meals at home is a great option.

You can customize the recipe to your diet or tastes and make more than enough to serve the family and enjoy leftovers the next day.

I can say with confidence that this Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is better than the restaurant version that was the inspiration!

What is gnocchi?

Gnocchi is a staple in Italian cuisine. They are dumplings that are made of cooked mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs. Gnocchi goes best with thick sauces which makes it ideal for this rich, creamy soup.

Although gnocchi can be made from scratch, I used premade potato gnocchi from the pasta aisle. It saved me a few steps and cut back on cooking time.

Checkout the story below for more recipe details:

Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup Ingredients

This soup has flavor in every bite thanks to the following:

• Butter: The chicken will cook in this.
• Chicken breasts: Sear the chicken before starting the soup.
• Vegetables: Cut yellow onion, celery and baby carrots small so they cook through evenly. This medley adds fresh flavor and a nice crunch.
• Garlic: This just makes everything taste better!
• Water: Add more or less depending on how thick or thin you want your soup to be.
• All-purpose flour: This gives the soup that thick consistency we need.
• Half and half: For the creaminess.
• Potato gnocchi: The heart of this recipe!
• Red Pepper Flakes: An optional addition for a spicy kick!
• Seasoning: Seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper (to taste).

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Here are the steps simplified. Check out the recipe at the end of this post for details.

Sear Chicken

Season the chicken breast and sear for five minutes on each side. Then set it aside.

Sauté Veggies

Next, add the diced vegetables directly into the pot and sauté for five minutes. Add the garlic at the last minute so that it does not burn.

Season and Cook

Then place the chicken back into the pot and pour the water directly over the chicken. Add in the rest of the seasoning: garlic powder and Italian seasoning before covering and simmering for 20 minutes.

Make Roux

Remove the chicken from the pot. Then mix the flour into about one cup of water until it is dissolved and forms a thick slurry for your gnocchi soup.

Add Liquid and Other Ingredients

Pour the flour mixture and half and half directly into the pot with the veggies. Shred the chicken with your hands, or cut it into bite-size pieces with a knife and add it back into the pot. Add the gnocchi into the pot.

Simmer

Cover and simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until the gnocchi are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste if needed. Finally, enjoy your Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup!

How this is a spin on Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup:

This soup tastes even better than the restaurant version. One of the main differences is that this recipe does not call for spinach.

Feel free to add the spinach into your variation when you make it. The spinach should be added at the same time you add the gnocchi.

Can you freeze Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Soup?

I do not recommend freezing chicken gnocchi soup because it contains dairy and gnocchi. The milk will separate and the gnocchi will get too soft.

How to store the leftover soup:

If you intend to have leftovers, try cook the gnocchi separately and add them to individual servings. For soup that is already cooked with the gnocchi in it, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just note, the gnocchi will puff up after it cooks so it will be super tender.

Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook when you make this recipe! I would love to see your creation, and give you a  shoutout!