Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Kathryn Donangelo
This cozy and savory Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe is fragrant, delicious, and incredibly simple to make! Made with rotisserie chicken, veggies, soft gnocchis, and a creamy broth. Perfect for lunch, dinner or any time you’re craving comfort.
If you love Gnocchi dishes try my Cheesy Gnocchi Bake!
CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP
When I say you’re going to love this recipe, I really mean it! Creamy, savory, aromatic, and oh, so comforting… I am pleased to share this flavorful Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe with you. It tastes just like a chicken pot pie but with pieces of pillowy soft gnocchi mixed within it.
I love this recipe because it is so easy to make with leftover rotisserie chicken or just whenever I need to use chicken up. Top this soup with fresh parsley, rosemary, or thyme for even more yummy flavors! This soup is perfect for chilly days and nights in addition to my White Chicken Chili, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and Chicken Zoodle Soup.
INGREDIENTS
For the Base
Butter: Use your choice of salted or unsalted butter for this soup. I like to use butter in this recipe because it makes it extra rich and tasty.
Oil: Olive oil is a great oil to use for this recipe because it is robust and easy to cook with, but feel free to use any type of cooking oil for this soup such as avocado, melted coconut oil, grapeseed oil, canola, etc.
Onion: One medium yellow onion is what I use to keep this soup extra flavorful! Of course, a white onion will work, too.
Carrots: Dice or chop your carrots–whatever your heart desires! Use regular-sized carrots, or if you have baby carrots, then you can use those, too!
Celery: Chopped or diced celery is a great addition to this soup and gives it this classic chicken pot pie flavor. Celery is fresh and crispy and perfect with the other veggies.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic cloves provide just enough extra savoriness to this soup to keep it fragrant and delicious. I like to use fresh garlic for its flavor, but if you only have garlic powder, then that will work.
Flour: All-purpose flour allows this soup to make creamy and thick. Some other great options include arrowroot powder or cornstarch.
Seasoning: A mixture of fresh or dried thyme, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper is used for this warm soup. The perfect blend of flavors!
Everything Else
Chicken Broth: Make your own chicken broth or use storebought. You can also use vegetable stock for this recipe.
Milk: Whole or reduced-fat milk will work just fine for this recipe! Milk allows this recipe to be creamy and rich.
Half and Half: You can use half and half or heavy cream for this recipe. This ingredient gives the soup an extra smooth flavor which makes it comforting and yummy.
Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe because it’s already cooked and just ready to go. If you have leftover chicken breasts, thighs, or a whole chicken, then you can definitely use that for this soup!
Spinach: Fresh wilted spinach gives this soup some extra color and nutrients! Spinach is tender and a great leafy green to use for all kinds of soups.
Gnocchi: A package of potato gnocchi from the grocery store is super easy to use and cooks quickly in this soup! Most well-stocked grocery stores should have gnocchi in the rice and pasta aisles.
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN SOUP WITH GNOCCHI
STEP ONE: First, in a Dutch oven or large pot, heat butter and oil over medium heat until melted. Next, add the diced onion and cook for three minutes until it is soft and translucent.
STEP TWO: Add the chopped carrots, celery, and minced garlic and cook the vegetables for five minutes until they are softened and fragrant. Be sure to stir the veggies often or they will stick to the bottom of the pot!
STEP THREE: Next, add the all-purpose flour to the cooked vegetables and stir with a spoon until the vegetables are fully coated. Stir for one minute.
Next, add the fresh or dried thyme, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir with a spoon until everything is combined.
STEP FOUR: Add the chicken broth to the pot with the ingredients in addition to the milk and cream. Mix everything together with a spoon, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer the soup for fifteen to twenty minutes.
STEP FIVE: Finally, add the cooked rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and gnocchi. Stir all of the soup ingredients for one minute and allow the soup to simmer for three minutes until the gnocchi pieces are cooked through and soft.
Carefully, remove the soup from the heat and serve warm.
Enjoy this soup during the cooler months whenever you want to serve the family something warm and comforting! Make a large batch of this chicken gnocchi soup and freeze the rest until ready to enjoy again. This recipe is perfect for meal prep!
CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP VARIATIONS
- Make a dairy-free soup by using unsweetened soy or cashew milk, unsweetened canned coconut cream, and vegan butter.
- Add more vegetables by adding diced golden or sweet potatoes, leafy kale, corn kernels, beans, or squash.
- Cook the gnocchi soup in the Crockpot by sautéeing the onions and veggies and pouring them into a slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for four to six hours until all of the ingredients and warm and fragrant.
- Instead of gnocchi use cooked rice, homemade dumplings, or even pasta.
- For vegetarian and meatless soup, omit the chicken.
- For gluten-free soup, use arrowroot powder, cornflour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Use Italian sausage instead of chicken for a twist on this recipe.
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE FOR CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP
- For best flavors, use fresh garlic and thyme.
- Make your own Italian seasoning with oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, or marjoram.
- For extra creaminess, use heavy cream instead of half and half.
- To save time, use frozen diced onions and carrots.
STORING LEFTOVERS
If you’re looking for the perfect soup to keep around–specifically for the leftovers–then I’m here to tell you that this chicken and gnocchi recipe fits that criteria. What’s better than warming up a bowl of leftover soup? The leftovers of this soup are incredible because all of the flavors get settled and blended.
Store the leftover copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freeze the leftover soup by transferring the leftovers to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container and freeze the soup in the freezer for four months.
To thaw the soup, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to heat the slow, warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Everyone will fall in love with this homemade and wholesome Chicken Gnocchi Soup. I love serving this soup with warmy and crusty bread or fresh biscuits.
MORE DELICIOUS SOUP RECIPES
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
- Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup
- White Bean Soup
- Homemade Vegetable Soup
- Roasted Cabbage and Chicken Fall Soup
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
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Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 cup carrots; chopped or diced
- 1 cup celery; chopped or diced
- 3 cloves garlic; minced
- 1/2 tsp. fresh or dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk; whole or reduced fat
- 1 cup half and half
- 1-2 cups rotisserie chicken; shredded
- 1 16 oz. package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or dutch oven to medium heat, add butter and olive oil. Let the butter melt and then add the onion. Sauté for a few minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add carrots, celery, garlic and sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly soft, stirring often.
- Add the flour and stir until combined and most of the vegetables are coated. Stir for one minute. Add the thyme, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt and pepper. Stir until to combine.
- Add the chicken broth, milk and heavy cream and mix together. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Add the rotisserie chicken, spinach and gnocchi. Stir continuously for a minute and then let the soup simmer for another 3-4 minutes or until the gnocchi are cooked through. Remove the soup from heat and serve. Enjoy with warm crusty bread or biscuits!
Notes
Tips
- For best flavors, use fresh garlic and thyme.
- Make your own Italian seasoning with oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, or marjoram.
- For extra creaminess, use heavy cream instead of half and half.
- To save time, use frozen diced onions and carrots.
Storage
Store the leftover Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Freeze the leftover soup by transferring the leftovers to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container and freeze the soup in the freezer for four months. To thaw the soup, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to heat the slow, warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
This gnocchi soup was so creamy and satisfying! Thank you for another awesome recipe.
You are so wleocme, Keri! Thank you!!
This soup is a bowl of comfort food. So delicious and perfect on a chilly evening.
Thank you so much! I agree!
Seriously comforting!! This quickly became a favorite at my house!
🙂 SO happy you tried my recipe, thanks Toni!
Love this version of chicken gnocchi soup with the carrots and celery. Sounds marvelous!
Thank you so much, Andrea!
Excellent! This gnocchi soup was so creamy and comforting. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!! SO happy to hear that!