Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup (Copycat)

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Are you craving a warm, comforting bowl of soup? Look no further than this copycat Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup recipe. You can make this yummy soup at home in just 40 minutes. It tastes just like the restaurant version but costs less and feeds six people.

This soup is perfect for cold days or when you want an easy meal. You’ll love the mix of tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh veggies in a creamy broth. It’s simple to make and uses ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Give it a try and wow your family and friends with this tasty homemade soup!

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this yummy Olive Garden copycat soup:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 1 pound cooked chicken breast, cubed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 (16-ounce) package mini potato gnocchi
• 1 (6-ounce) bag baby spinach leaves
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Optional thickening ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water

Make sure you have all these items ready before you start cooking. This will make the process smoother and more fun!

Remember, you can adjust the amounts based on your taste. Want more veggies? Add them in! Love chicken? Toss in a bit extra. The recipe is flexible, so feel free to make it your own.

Instructions

Heat a large pot with olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, celery, minced garlic, and shredded carrots. Cook for 5 minutes until onions look clear.

Next, toss in the cubed chicken and pour in the chicken broth. Let it all come to a gentle bubble.

Now for the fun part – add the gnocchi! Stir for 3-4 minutes until they float to the top. This means they’re ready.

Time for some green goodness. Drop in the spinach and keep stirring for 3 minutes. Watch as it wilts down into the soup.

Want a thicker soup? Mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl. Pour this mix and the half-and-half into your pot. If you skip the cornstarch, just add the half-and-half.

Let everything cook for about 5 more minutes. The soup will get nice and thick. Add salt and pepper to make it taste just right.

Ladle the warm, creamy soup into bowls. Get ready to enjoy a big spoonful of comfort!

Possible Substitutes List

You can swap out some ingredients in this Olive Garden copycat soup. Here are some easy swaps:

• Chicken: Use turkey, sausage, or white beans for a veggie version
• Gnocchi: Try small pasta shapes like orzo or ditalini
• Spinach: Kale or Swiss chard work great too
• Half-and-half: Use milk or cream for a lighter or richer soup

For the veggies, you can mix it up:

• Carrots: Swap for sweet potatoes or butternut squash
• Celery: Try fennel for a new flavor
• Onion: Leeks or shallots are tasty options

Can’t find fresh spinach? Frozen works just as well. Just thaw and squeeze out extra water first.

If you’re out of chicken broth, veggie broth is a good stand-in. You can even use water with some extra seasoning.

No cornstarch? Try flour to thicken your soup. Just mix it with cold water before adding.

Remember, these swaps might change the taste a bit. But they’ll still give you a yummy soup!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this tasty soup more diabetes-friendly with a few easy swaps. Try using whole wheat gnocchi instead of regular potato gnocchi. This change adds fiber and helps slow down sugar absorption.

Replace the half-and-half with unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk. This cuts down on saturated fat and calories. You can thicken the soup with pureed cauliflower instead of cornstarch for extra nutrients and fewer carbs.

Add more non-starchy veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. This boosts the fiber and vitamin content without adding many carbs. Use less gnocchi and more chicken to lower the overall carb count of each serving.

Skip adding salt and flavor with herbs like thyme or rosemary instead. This helps keep your blood pressure in check. Serve smaller portions and pair with a side salad for a balanced meal that won’t spike your blood sugar.

Remember to check with your doctor or dietitian about how this recipe fits into your meal plan. They can give you personalized advice on portion sizes and ingredient swaps that work best for you.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Use fresh garlic for the best flavor. Mince it yourself instead of using pre-minced garlic.

Don’t boil the soup after adding cream. This can cause curdling. Keep it at a gentle simmer.

For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked gnocchi into the broth. This adds body without extra ingredients.

You can make this soup ahead of time. Just prepare the base and add the gnocchi when reheating to keep its texture.

To store leftovers, put them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay good for up to 3 days.

When reheating, warm the soup on the stove over medium heat. You might need to add a splash of milk if it’s too thick.

You can freeze this soup! Let it cool completely, then put it in freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Try swapping spinach for kale or using rotisserie chicken to save time. These changes add new flavors and make prep easier.

For a fun twist, top your soup with crispy bacon bits or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.