This Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup is easy to make at home and tastes every bit as delicious as the soup from Olive Garden. Made with simple ingredients like juicy chicken breasts, tender vegetables, and pillowy soft potato gnocchi, it’s the perfect anytime soup recipe.

Stainless steel soup pot filled with creamy chicken and gnocchi soup filled with carrots, celery, and fresh spinach.

Oh, you guys, this creamy chicken gnocchi soup is so good! Like Olive Garden’s chicken gnocchi soup, this homemade version is simple to make and just as flavorful, creamy, and satisfying. Seasoned with herbs and filled with fresh veggies and shredded chicken, the best part of this soup is the soft and pillowy gnocchi. An absolute must-try soup and a family favorite!

What is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi are a type of small dumpling made from boiled and mashed potatoes mixed with flour. Popular in Italian cuisine, when translated, gnocchi means “lumps” in Italian. To cook gnocchi, they are briefly boiled, transforming them into soft little pillows. Gnocchi can be homemade or store-bought and comes in various flavors like sweet potato and butternut squash, cauliflower, and gluten-free. You’ll also love this Gnocchi alla Sorrentina Recipe.

Ingredients for creamy chicken gnocchi soup measured out and set aside in individual serving bowls.

How to Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup

1. Add the olive oil to a large pot or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions have softened and turned translucent.

2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until it becomes fragrant.

3. Mix in the carrots, celery, thyme, sage, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Pour in the chicken broth and water (if adding) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add the chicken. Allow the chicken to cook for approximately 20 minutes or until it is cooked through (over-cooking the chicken will cause it to dry out and turn chewy).

Collage of six images. In the first image a large pot is filled with olive oil and diced onions; the second image shows a pot filled with sauteed onions with minced garlic; the third image shows a large pot with sauteed onions, celery, carrots, and dried Italian seasoning; the fourth image shows onions, carrots, celery, dried herbs, salt, pepper, and garlic cooking in a large pot; the fifth image shows a large pot filled with chicken broth, mixed veggies and herbs; the sixth image shows a large pot filled with chicken broth, chicken breasts, and vegetables.

5. Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside.

6. In a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream and flour until there are no clumps of flour.

7. Slowly pour the cream and flour mixture into the soup, whisking continuously. Return the soup to a light simmer.

8. Add the gnocchi to the pot and allow them to cook for about 6-8 minutes or until they begin to float. Meanwhile, shred the chicken and return it to the soup.

9. Add the fresh spinach and let the soup simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste.

Collage of 6 images. The first image shows a glass measuring cup filled with heavy cream and all-purpose flour; the second image shows a glass measuring cup filled with heavy cream and flour whisked together; the third image shows heavy cream just added to a soup pot filled with simmering chicken broth and veggies; the fourth image shows a plate filled with shredded chicken; the fifth image shows a soup pot filled with creamy broth and shredded chicken; the sixth image shows spinach being added to a pot of creamy soup.

Slow Cooker Adaptation

You’ll want to sauté the onions, garlic, herbs, and veggies in a large pot or Dutch oven for about 8-10 minutes. Then transfer the veggies to the bottom of your slow cooker. It’s also easiest to add pre-cooked shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken at the same time as the veggies. Pour in the chicken broth and mix well to combine, then cook on low heat for approximately 4-5 hours. In the last hour of cooking, add the gnocchi, and about 30 minutes before serving, stir in the cream and flour mixture. The spinach can be added just before serving as the spinach should wilt quickly.

Recipe Tips

As soon as the heavy cream has been added to the soup, maintain a gentle simmer and avoid any kind of rapid boiling. Boiling may cause the dairy to separate.
Avoid using frozen spinach. It doesn’t hold up well to long periods of cooking.
For a thicker, creamier soup, omit the additional water. For a thinner soup, add an additional 1-2 cups of water.
Swap the chicken for Italian sausage – so good!
Save time by using shredded rotisserie chicken and pre-shredded carrots.

Soup ladle pouring a spoon full of creamy chicken gnocchi soup into a small soup bowl stacked on top of another small soup bowl.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this soup with garlic bread, breadsticks, a loaf of crusty bread with butter, or a side salad.

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