Dinner

Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden Copycat) Recipe

Bylina Carter January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Introduction

Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting dish that’s perfect for cozy nights. This Olive Garden copycat combines tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a flavorful broth that’s easy to prepare in your slow cooker.

A white bowl filled with creamy white soup that contains visible layers of soft, pale yellow gnocchi, thin orange carrot strips, green spinach leaves, and shredded light beige chicken. A spoon lifted with a woman's hand holds a portion showing these layers clearly, with some grated white cheese sprinkled on top. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface and there are pieces of golden brown bread beside it. Another white bowl filled with the same soup and bread is seen softly blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (approx. 3 chicken breasts)
2 cups matchstick carrots

1 cup diced onion
2 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced
3 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning

4 cups chicken stock
1 pound potato gnocchi
2 cups heavy cream

2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 ½ cups shredded Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Add the chicken, matchstick carrots, diced onion, diced celery, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken stock to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours until the chicken is tender.
Step 3: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Stir in the gnocchi and heavy cream, then replace the cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 5: Just before serving, stir in the fresh spinach and shredded Parmesan cheese until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts.
Step 6: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, sauté the onion, celery, and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker.
Substitute kale for spinach for a heartier green.
If you prefer a thicker soup, add a slurry of cornstarch and water during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Use store-bought shredded rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gnocchi may absorb liquid and soften over time, so reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or cream to adjust the consistency if needed.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a ladle with a wooden handle lifting a creamy soup from a black slow cooker. The soup shows several layers with small yellow gnocchi pieces, bright orange carrot sticks, leafy green spinach, soft white shredded cheese, and bits of chicken in a thick white broth looking smooth and rich. The soup has a mix of specks of black pepper floating throughout, with the black slow cooker forming a dark round frame around the ladle. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare this soup on the stovetop. Simmer the chicken and vegetables in chicken stock until cooked through, then shred the chicken and add the gnocchi, cream, spinach, and Parmesan as directed.

Is potato gnocchi the best choice for this soup?

Potato gnocchi works well because it cooks quickly and adds a soft texture. You can also try cheese gnocchi or even small pasta like tortellini as alternatives.