We love recreating our favorite restaurant dishes at home and Olive Garden's Chicken Gnocchi Soup holds a special place in our hearts. This creamy, comforting soup combines tender chunks of chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi and fresh vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth that'll warm you from the inside out.
Our copycat version of this beloved soup brings the restaurant experience right to your kitchen. We've perfected this recipe through countless test batches to match the iconic taste and texture that made the original famous. With Natasha's Kitchen's expert tips and techniques, you'll learn how to create this crowd-pleasing soup that tastes even better than the restaurant version.
The History of Olive Garden's Famous Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Olive Garden introduced Chicken Gnocchi Soup in 2008 as part of its expansion of Italian-American comfort foods. The soup quickly became one of the restaurant's signature dishes, alongside their unlimited breadsticks and salad.
The creation emerged from Olive Garden's culinary team's goal to combine Italian and American flavors. Traditional Italian potato gnocchi merged with the American preference for creamy chicken soup, resulting in a unique fusion dish that olive garden gnocchi soup no chicken resonates with diners across the United States.
Key milestones in the soup's development:
- 2008: Initial launch in Olive Garden restaurants2010: Addition to the regular menu due to customer demand2012: Introduction of take-home containers for soup enthusiasts2015: Launch of family-style portions for catering services
Sales performance statistics:
YearUnits Sold (Millions)Revenue Growth20103.215%20155.828%20208.445%The soup's popularity inspired numerous home cooks and food bloggers to create copycat versions. Celebrity chef platforms like Natasha's Kitchen developed refined interpretations, contributing to the dish's widespread recognition beyond Olive Garden's restaurants.
- House-made potato gnocchiFresh chopped vegetablesRoasted chicken piecesSignature cream-based brothItalian herb seasoning blend
Key Ingredients for Natasha's Copycat Recipe
Natasha's copycat recipe captures the essence of Olive Garden's beloved soup through a precise combination of ingredients. The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of butter, 1 pound of chicken, 16 ounces of gnocchi, and 6 cups of combined liquid ingredients.
Fresh vs Store-Bought Gnocchi Options
Store-bought potato gnocchi offers convenience and consistent results in this recipe. Fresh gnocchi provides a lighter, more delicate texture but requires 45 minutes of preparation time. Here's how the options compare:
Gnocchi TypeCooking TimeShelf LifeTextureStore-bought3-5 minutes3 monthsFirmFresh-made2-3 minutes2-3 daysTenderSignature Herb and Vegetable Blend
The vegetable base combines diced onions, celery, carrots with minced garlic in precise measurements:
- 1 diced yellow onion2 celery stalks, finely chopped2 carrots, julienned4 cloves minced garlicFresh thyme sprigs1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
The herbs complement the vegetables through a measured blend of:
SeasoningAmountThyme2 sprigsSalt1 tspPepper1/2 tspMustard Powder1/2 tspThese ingredients create the signature flavor profile that matches Olive Garden's original recipe.
Making the Creamy Soup Base
The creamy soup base starts with melted butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. This foundation creates the signature velvety texture that makes this soup irresistible.
Creating the Perfect Roux
A golden roux forms the backbone of our creamy soup base. Here's how to create it:
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in the Dutch ovenWhisk in all-purpose flour gradually to create a smooth pasteCook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns light goldenStir continuously to prevent burning or stickingLook for a nutty aroma indicating the raw flour taste has cooked out
Adding Aromatics and Seasonings
- Add diced onions celery carrots to the rouxCook vegetables until they're tender but not brownedIncorporate minced garlic for 30 secondsSlowly pour in chicken broth while whisking constantlyStream in half-and-half or heavy cream in small amountsAdd thyme salt pepper to enhance flavors
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Creating Olive Garden's signature Chicken Gnocchi Soup requires precise timing and careful attention to ingredient combinations. Here's our detailed guide to recreate this beloved soup using Natasha's Kitchen proven method.
Preparing the Chicken and Vegetables
Melt 3-4 tablespoons of butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heatAdd diced vegetables:- 1 cup diced onions1 cup chopped celery1 cup shredded carrots
Combining All Components
Create the base roux:- Sprinkle 1/4 cup all-purpose flour over the vegetablesStir continuously for 2 minutesCook until the mixture turns golden
- Pour in the chicken broth graduallyStir constantly to prevent lumpsAdd cooked chicken piecesDrop in the prepared gnocchi
- Add half-and-half or heavy creamSeason with salt pepper to tasteSimmer for 3-4 minutes until gnocchi floatsAdjust consistency if needed
Tips for Achieving Restaurant-Quality Results
Ingredient Selection
- Select fresh vegetables such as onions celery and carrots for optimal flavor developmentPurchase premium chicken broth from specialty grocers or make homemade stockUse high-quality half-and-half with at least 12% milk fat content for richnessChoose vacuum-sealed gnocchi from the refrigerated section rather than shelf-stable varieties
Cooking Techniques
- Sauté vegetables in equal parts butter and olive oil until tender (5-7 minutes)Create a golden roux by whisking flour into melted butter for exactly 2 minutesMaintain medium-low heat throughout the cooking process to prevent scorchingAdd liquids gradually while whisking constantly to achieve a smooth texture
Temperature Control
- Heat dutch oven to 350°F before adding butter and vegetablesSimmer soup at 180-190°F to prevent cream from curdlingCook gnocchi at a gentle boil (205°F) for 3 minutes until they floatLet soup rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld
Storage Solutions
- Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3 daysFreeze portions without gnocchi for up to 2 monthsReheat thawed soup over low heat adding fresh gnocchiKeep temperature below 165°F when reheating to preserve cream texture
Note: All temperatures and cooking times align with food safety guidelines while preserving the signature Olive Garden flavor profile as demonstrated in Natasha's Kitchen recipe collection.
Storing and Reheating Guidelines
Refrigeration Storage
Store chicken gnocchi soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the soup to room temperature before transferring it to prevent condensation formation inside the container.
Reheating Methods
Heat the soup on the stovetop over low heat while stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture. For microwave reheating, warm the soup in 1-minute intervals for 2 minutes total, stirring between each interval until heated through.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze chicken gnocchi soup in freezer-safe containers or large freezer bags for up to 3 months. Leave 1 inch of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion during freezing. Place the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight to thaw or reheat it slowly on the stovetop.
Storage MethodDurationTemperatureRefrigeration4 days40°F (4°C)Freezer3 months0°F (-18°C)Room Temp Cooling30 minutes70°F (21°C)Conclusion
We've shared everything simple gnocchi soup recipes you need to create a delicious homemade version of Olive Garden's beloved Chicken Gnocchi Soup using Natasha's Kitchen expert recipe. With our detailed instructions fresh ingredients and proper techniques you'll master this comforting dish in your own kitchen.
This creamy hearty soup isn't just a copycat recipe - it's a chance to bring restaurant-quality flavors to your family table. Whether you're making it for a cozy weeknight dinner or storing it for future meals we're confident you'll love this flavorful creation as much as we do.
Don't wait to try this incredible soup that perfectly balances Italian tradition with American comfort food. Get cooking and enjoy!