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    Home » Soups

    Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Published: Jan 26, 2022 / Updated: Jun 16, 2022 / 82 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This chicken gnocchi soup recipe is quick, easy to make in your own kitchen, and comforting. The pillowy gnocchi melt in your mouth, there's tender veggies, and the creamy broth is addictive!

    Love making restaurant-quality Italian soups at home? You have to try this Zuppa Toscana recipe, Minestrone, or this Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli!

    close-up of a ladle in a pot with chicken gnocchi soup

    Why you'll love it

    Now, I know you adore the chicken gnocchi soup from a certain beloved Italian-American restaurant, but I wouldn't say that this is a straight-up Olive Garden copycat recipe. It's actually even better. That's right. Your tastebuds are going to do a happy dance after trying it!

    This ridiculously tasty creamy chicken gnocchi soup is straightforward and pretty quick to make when all is said and done. It takes about 35-40 minutes to re-create this mouthwatering meal, and you can feel good knowing exactly what goes into it.

    Ingredients for it

    • Olive oil and butter - a classic combo to cook the aromatics with to start this soup off right!
    • Celery, onion, and carrots - this sautéed trio creates a classic flavorful base. Did you know the fancy term for it is soffritto in Italian and mirepoix in French?
    • Garlic - I can't resist adding garlic to soups
    • Mushrooms - cremini are my choice for their texture, but you could sub with white mushrooms if in a pinch
    • Chicken broth - a wonderful foundation for the soup broth. You can also use chicken stock.
    • Italian seasoning - find this blend in the spice aisle at your grocery store. It's a jar of mixed dried herbs like rosemary and thyme, and it's a favorite for so many of my recipes.
    • Chicken - use up any leftover chicken you have, or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store as a time saver
    • Gnocchi - I buy the shelf-stable gnocchi that you can find in the pasta aisle in most major grocery stores
    • Cream - heavy cream tops off the irresistible broth! We're not using enough to overpower the soup. It's the perfect amount for ideal creaminess.
    • Fresh spinach - a handful of baby spinach adds a burst of freshness and even more veggie goodness
    ingredients in small bowls on a counter for making easy chicken gnocchi soup

    Pro tip

    • The potato gnocchi cooks right in the soup, and the starch released from the potatoes helps to thicken up the creamy broth beautifully!

    How to make chicken gnocchi soup

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    sauteing onions and carrots for chicken gnocchi soup in a large pot and adding mushrooms

    Sauté the onion, celery, and carrots in a soup pot for 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook for a few minutes.

    adding broth, gnocchi, spinach, and cream to a pot of chicken gnocchi soup

    Add the chicken broth, water, seasoning, chicken, and gnocchi, then bring the soup to a boil. Simmer the soup for 10 minutes. Finally, stir in the cream and spinach and cook for a few more minutes.

    Substitutions and variations

    • You can use half-and-half or even milk, but in my opinion you can't beat the taste and consistency of heavy cream.
    • If mushrooms aren't your thing, you can leave them out.
    • You could use matchstick carrots if desired. Simply add them in step 4 since they will cook faster than sliced carrots.
    • Want to throw in extra veggies? Go for it! Peas would work great.
    • Some freshly grated parmesan would take this soup to the next level.

    What to serve this soup with

    • Breadsticks, garlic bread, or a slice of your favorite crusty bread would be a fantastic complement to this soup.
    • You can't go wrong with a side salad. Try this homemade balsamic dressing or this easy Italian dressing with mixed greens!
    close-up of a bowl of chicken gnocchi soup

    Leftovers and storage

    • This gnocchi soup will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container, but keep in mind that the gnocchi will continue to release starch. If the soup gets too thick, add another splash of broth or cream to thin it out when reheating over a low heat.
    • You could try to freeze leftovers, but dairy can separate when reheating after it's been frozen, and the texture of the gnocchi may change. It's best to just eat it within a few days.

    More cozy gnocchi soup recipes

    • Creamy Tomato Gnocchi Soup
    • Chicken Bacon Gnocchi Soup
    • Creamy Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Soup
    • Parmesan, Mushroom, and Spinach Gnocchi Soup
    • Sausage, Kale, and Gnocchi Soup
    two bowls of easy chicken gnocchi soup on a marble surface

    I hope you'll agree that this is the best chicken gnocchi soup recipe! Questions? Let me know in the comments below. Tag me on Instagram and show me your creations!

    close-up of a ladle in a pot with chicken gnocchi soup

    Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    This chicken gnocchi soup recipe is quick, easy to make in your own kitchen, and comforting. The pillowy gnocchi melt in your mouth, there's tender veggies, and the creamy broth is addictive!
    4.97 from 26 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 412 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 2 sticks celery chopped
    • 3 medium carrots sliced or chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 7 ounces cremini mushrooms sliced
    • 4 cups chicken broth or stock
    • 1 cup water
    • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 2 cups cooked chicken I used rotisserie
    • 1 pound potato gnocchi
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • 2 cups fresh baby spinach (packed)

    Instructions
     

    • Add the oil and butter to a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
    • Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Sauté for 8-10 minutes with the lid slightly ajar. Stir once or twice during this time.
    • Add the garlic and mushrooms to the pot and cook for a few minutes.
    • Stir in the chicken broth, water, Italian seasoning, chicken, and gnocchi. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. 
    • Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes. 
    • Stir in the cream and spinach. Cook for a few more minutes until the spinach is wilted and the soup is heated through. Season with salt & pepper as needed and serve.

    Notes

    • You can use milk or half-and-half instead of cream if you prefer.
    • The longer you cook/leave the soup to sit, the more it'll thicken up because the gnocchi will release starch. 
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 18gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 941mgPotassium: 617mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 6758IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword creamy chicken gnocchi soup, easy chicken gnocchi soup
    Author Natasha Bull

    This recipe was originally published on December 18, 2018. It's been tweaked to be even easier, tastier, and has new photos!

    « Simple Cream of Broccoli Soup
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    1. Casey says

      January 23, 2023 at 4:37 PM

      I made this soup over the weekend and it was absolutely delicious! I subbed fat-free half and half for the heavy cream and it turned out beautifully! This will definitely be making frequent appearances on our dinner table throughout the winter months!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 23, 2023 at 9:55 PM

        I'm so happy you liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. lisa Nyuli bourbonnais says

      January 13, 2023 at 2:20 PM

      5 stars
      Excellent easy dinner. Served with garlic bread and salad.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 13, 2023 at 4:30 PM

        Glad to hear it!! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Kyle says

      January 3, 2023 at 4:23 PM

      5 stars
      Great recipe. I left out the mushrooms but added roasted corn. My family loved it.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 3, 2023 at 11:24 PM

        Awesome!!

        Reply
    4. Karlin says

      December 18, 2022 at 2:08 PM

      Are you using fresh or frozen Gnocchi?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 18, 2022 at 3:25 PM

        The blog post explains exactly what kind of gnocchi is used. Frozen would be fine.

        Reply
    5. Krystina says

      October 23, 2022 at 11:10 AM

      5 stars
      This soup is so easy to make and it’s delicious!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 23, 2022 at 12:22 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that!!

        Reply
    6. Megan says

      October 13, 2022 at 11:31 AM

      5 stars
      So simple yet tastes amazing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 13, 2022 at 12:28 PM

        So happy you liked it, Megan!

        Reply
    7. Katie says

      October 9, 2022 at 3:58 PM

      5 stars
      Chose this recipe specifically because the addition of mushrooms was a genius idea! The full recipe did not disappoint!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 9, 2022 at 4:32 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Katie!!

        Reply
    8. MH says

      October 3, 2022 at 4:32 PM

      5 stars
      Delicious! I subbed in Italian sausage crumbles because I didn’t have chicken and it was great! Looking forward to trying it with the chicken!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 3, 2022 at 4:36 PM

        Love the sausage idea!!! So glad you enjoyed the soup. Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    9. Aly says

      October 1, 2022 at 12:09 AM

      Can I use cauliflower gnocchi

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 1, 2022 at 9:36 AM

        Hi! Many readers have used cauliflower gnocchi in my various gnocchi recipes and enjoyed the swap. I am not totally sure that they release starch the same as potato gnocchi do, so there's a chance the soup will end up a bit thinner, however.

        Reply
    10. Wendy says

      September 30, 2022 at 12:11 PM

      5 stars
      Made with my own chicken stock and was delish!!! Thanks so much for this one to save, quick and easy easy , everyone loved it.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 30, 2022 at 3:24 PM

        You're very welcome!! So glad it was a hit, Wendy! 🙂

        Reply
    11. LindaD says

      March 12, 2022 at 12:18 PM

      5 stars
      Hey, thanks for this recipe! My first time using gnocchi in a dish and it was a success! The whole family loved it. I was missing garlic, mushrooms and celeri though and instead of heavy cream I used ceam of chicken. 🙂

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        March 12, 2022 at 12:32 PM

        Awesome to hear, Linda! Glad you're a gnocchi fan now 🙂

        Reply
    12. Jen says

      February 6, 2022 at 9:50 AM

      Could
      You possibly substitute coconut milk as a dairy free alternative?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 6, 2022 at 12:44 PM

        Sure! It won't taste quite the same, but I think it'll work. 🙂 Let me know!

        Reply
    13. Lori Jiroch says

      January 27, 2022 at 6:33 PM

      5 stars
      YUMMY!! Thanks so much for sharing! God bless you ❤️

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        January 27, 2022 at 8:13 PM

        You're very welcome, Lori! 🙂

        Reply
    14. Amy says

      October 27, 2021 at 9:57 AM

      5 stars
      LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! My family ate this twice in one weeks time! I added red peppers so as to have another vegetable and used leftover grilled chicken leg meat. Was a huge success, even with my husband who claims he doesn’t like soup!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 27, 2021 at 10:01 AM

        Yay!! That makes me so happy, Amy!! Thanks for taking the time to write me a review. XO

        Reply
    15. Teresia says

      March 6, 2021 at 7:42 AM

      5 stars
      Would I be able to freeze this?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 6, 2021 at 9:33 AM

        Hi! You can try and see if you like the results, but cream notoriously doesn't freeze great, and the gnocchi may go a bit gloopy.

        Reply
    16. Samantha says

      December 10, 2020 at 6:09 AM

      I love your recipes! Usually I can. See the calorie counts, do you happen to have one for this recipe?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 10, 2020 at 10:12 AM

        I'm glad to hear that... thank you! Yes, I've been adding nutrition info to most new recipes, but I only add it to older ones when I have time/if people request it. I just added it for you. Do keep in mind it's just an estimate (ingredients vary), and you'd have to divide the portions up pretty accurately if you really wanted it to reflect those calories. I hope you enjoy the soup! Let me know if you make it. 🙂

        Reply
    17. Savannah says

      October 1, 2020 at 12:44 PM

      If I am using raw chicken breasts do I cook the chicken fully through before adding it with the chicken broth?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 1, 2020 at 12:53 PM

        Are you planning on cutting them into smaller/bite-size pieces first? If so, it shouldn't take long to cook (the 10 minutes or a bit longer should do it if you're adding it in at step 4).

        Reply
    18. Lori says

      September 21, 2020 at 4:02 PM

      5 stars
      Sooooo delicious and comforting!! Used gluten free gnocchi.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 21, 2020 at 4:04 PM

        So happy you liked it, Lori! 🙂

        Reply
    19. Leslie says

      September 20, 2020 at 2:04 AM

      5 stars
      Just made this amazing soup for dinner. I love making soups all year round. This recipe I will definitely keep. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 20, 2020 at 9:48 AM

        Me too! so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    20. Dawn says

      September 9, 2020 at 4:14 PM

      5 stars
      I really enjoyed this recipe! So easy and a fantastic weeknight dinner. Will make again and again for sure!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 9, 2020 at 4:15 PM

        Great!! Thanks for taking the time to comment Dawn!

        Reply
    21. Michelle Reynolds says

      January 21, 2020 at 11:55 AM

      Hi! I made this soup on the stove top and it was so good! I was wondering what I would do/change if I wanted to pressure cook this in my instant pot? Thank you

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 21, 2020 at 6:53 PM

        Hi! I haven’t tested cooking gnocchi in the Instant Pot yet. Maybe cook the soup on high pressure for 8 mins if you use raw chicken breasts (the already cooked chicken will dry out). I’d then probably stir in the gnocchi and cream once the pressure has released and then just put it on sauté and close the lid and just let it cook normally.

        Reply
    22. Irina says

      January 3, 2020 at 6:38 PM

      5 stars
      We Russians love any soups. This recipe I tried for the first time and absolutely loved it! Perfect for rainy night! 🍲😋

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 4, 2020 at 7:47 PM

        Excellent! So happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    23. Jenny says

      December 29, 2019 at 5:33 PM

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner and we loved it! Definitely saving this recipe. I ommited the mushrooms but followed the recipe exact besides that.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 29, 2019 at 7:08 PM

        So happy to hear it, Jenny! Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
    24. Stacy says

      December 15, 2019 at 7:07 PM

      5 stars
      SO amazing! Made this tonight and even my pickiest child finished every bit of it. Made it with some breadsticks. In my opinion this is even better than Olive Garden. Thanks for this wonderful recipe. It will be added to the seasonal favorites!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 15, 2019 at 7:10 PM

        Aww!! I am so happy it was a hit! Thanks for letting me know! 😀

        Reply
    25. Mary Thomas says

      November 13, 2019 at 3:01 PM

      5 stars
      Made this for dinner it was delicious paired with a ceasar salad oh my

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 13, 2019 at 3:34 PM

        Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    26. Yolanda says

      November 4, 2019 at 5:24 PM

      5 stars
      Love love love all your recipes!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 4, 2019 at 6:46 PM

        So happy to hear it, Yolanda! Thank you 🙂

        Reply
    27. Marie says

      November 2, 2019 at 5:08 PM

      Hi! I’m going to make this for Sunday family dinner tomorrow and was just curious about the gnocchi. I’ve never cooked with it and the shelf stable one I got says it’s ready in two minutes! Should I just add it at the very end if I want it piping hot when guests come so it doesn’t get soggy? I usually let soup cook for a few hours but it’s nice that this one doesn’t have too! I bought an extra packetof gnocchi to make the sausage and kale recipe too 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 2, 2019 at 7:22 PM

        Hi Marie! I’d cook it longer than that, because it releases starch and helps thicken the soup. I wouldn’t say the shelf stable stuff goes soggy per se - it’s pretty dense. It’s not quite like pasta since it’s made of potatoes. Let me know if you like the recipes! ❤️

        Reply
    28. Lindsey says

      October 29, 2019 at 10:07 PM

      I’m planning on trying this recipe out this week! I would like to add those baby gold potatoes to it. Would you suggest I boil the potatoes in water on their own and then transferring it in with the rest?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 30, 2019 at 10:33 AM

        I think since they're small, you could probably cook them right in the soup if you think they'll be done in 10-15 minutes or so (maybe cut them into small-ish pieces). The extra starch should also thicken the soup more, which is a good thing in my opinion. But it's really up to you! Let me know how it goes.

        Reply
        • Lindsey says

          November 1, 2019 at 9:43 PM

          5 stars
          The recipe was delicious! I couldn’t find gnocchi anywhere though at my grocery store but you were totally right about the potatoes. They cooked quite well in with the soup!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            November 2, 2019 at 10:56 AM

            So happy it worked out!

            Reply
    29. Thuy says

      October 29, 2019 at 5:58 PM

      5 stars
      I just made this today for dinner. It is so DELISH! I followed recipe exactly. I used half and half and it was plenty creamy for my taste. I could eat the whole thing myself. Thanks for this recipe! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 30, 2019 at 10:35 AM

        Aww so glad to hear it!! 🙂

        Reply
    30. Susan says

      October 28, 2019 at 11:46 AM

      Has anyone tried freezing the leftovers? How do you think it would freeze?

      Reply
    31. Jen says

      October 6, 2019 at 3:26 PM

      5 stars
      Just made this and it was amazing! I swapped out the cream for lactose free half and half and it was perfect. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 6, 2019 at 9:07 PM

        So pleased you enjoyed it, Jen!!

        Reply
    32. Rachel says

      May 27, 2019 at 6:41 PM

      5 stars
      Hi Natasha!

      I made this recipe with my girlfriend a couple weeks ago and we loved it! It wad fun and easy to make! It made the whole house smell wonderful. We used half and half instead lf cream and it was super tasty. Topped it off with a bit of parmesan and paired it with salad and garlic bread. I look forward to making more of your recipes, keep up the good work!
      p.s. thank you for having such straighforward and easy to understand recipes

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 28, 2019 at 9:15 AM

        I am so glad you two liked it! Straightforward and easy to understand is what I strive for, so thank you for mentioning that! 🙂

        Reply
    33. Bernadette says

      February 15, 2019 at 3:24 PM

      Hi,
      Would you recommend a gnocchi brand you like?

      Can't wait to make this!

      B

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 15, 2019 at 5:30 PM

        Hi! The grocery stores I frequent are usually pretty limited and only carry one brand (I’m in Canada too so I don’t know offhand which brands are sold where you are), so that’s what I end up buying haha. I don’t really have a preference. I think any shelf stable gnocchi should work. I’d tell you the brand I buy but I’m currently on vacation and can’t check in my pantry - the name escapes me. Hope you like the recipe!

        Reply
    34. Susan says

      February 11, 2019 at 5:04 PM

      I made this tonight. I used whole milk. Still delicious. I added dill instead of italian seasoning and sprinkled with parmesan. Delicious, definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 11, 2019 at 7:32 PM

        So glad you liked it!! ❤️

        Reply
    35. Heidi Bliss says

      February 3, 2019 at 12:52 PM

      5 stars
      Made this today. Doubled everything and used a whole rotisserie chicken. Subbed half-and-half for the cream and thought it was still very creamy. Maybe even better because it wasn't as heavy as it probably would have been with the heavy cream. Everyone LOVED it! Really, really good. Will make again for sure. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 3, 2019 at 1:29 PM

        I'm so glad it was a hit, Heidi! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

        Reply
    36. Cristina says

      February 1, 2019 at 9:04 PM

      I just made this! I liked it but I have to give it another go as I feel I put too much garlic and I slightly under seasoned it. As a good italian I added some grated parmigiano reggiano and that helped fixing the the lack of seasoning!
      Can’t wait to try other recipes of yours!
      Keep it up and thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 3, 2019 at 11:22 AM

        Mmmm parm reg makes everything better!! I'm glad you liked it! Yes, give it another try... it's all about tweaking to your tastes 🙂

        Reply
    37. Cathy says

      February 1, 2019 at 5:39 PM

      Can I make this dairy free?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 1, 2019 at 5:40 PM

        Hi Cathy! I think leaving the cream out should be fine. 😊

        Reply
    38. Pia says

      January 7, 2019 at 10:26 AM

      5 stars
      Made it - and it was a great succes. Tried to increase veggies and added The servings to 9 ;-). Now I am supplied with delicious soup for two days plus ;-).
      Thank you for a super recipe - and easy too!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 7, 2019 at 12:09 PM

        That's great! I'm so happy you have plenty of leftovers too. 🙂

        Reply
    39. nicole says

      January 2, 2019 at 11:07 AM

      4 stars
      I made this last night for a neighborhood New Yeards Day soup party and it was well received. Very easy to make and flavorful. I increased the amount of broth by 1/2 a cup and cut the cream slightly. The next time I make it I will add some tomatoes (perhaps oven roasted and diced). Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 2, 2019 at 11:35 AM

        I'm very happy it was well received, Nicole! 🙂

        Reply
    40. Karly says

      December 26, 2018 at 10:05 AM

      Looks so delicious!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 26, 2018 at 10:30 AM

        Thanks, Karly!!

        Reply
    41. Natasha says

      December 19, 2018 at 3:34 PM

      Haha thank you, Jeff! 🙂

      Reply

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    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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