Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

I found this recipe shortly after I tried this soup at Olive Garden.  In my opinion, it's MUCH tastier because this recipe makes a creamier soup.  If you like the soup at Olive Garden, you will LOVE this recipe.

** Courtesy of CopyKat.

Yield: 8 servings.
~1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced (You can use a rotisserie chicken.  I've used the barbecue flavored chicken from the Publix deli)
~4 tablespoons butter
~4 tablespoons flour
~1 quart half and half
~1 14 ounce can chicken broth
~1/2 cup celery, finely diced
~2 garlic cloves, minced
~1 cup carrots, finely shredded
~1 cup onion, finely diced
~1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
~1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
~1/2 teaspoon thyme
~1/2 teaspoon parsley
~Freshly grated parmesan cheese – optional
~1 pound potato gnocchi - You can usually find this is in the pasta aisle at your grocery store.


1. Sauté the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil, over medium heat when the onion becomes translucent, add the flour, and make a roux, let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half.
2. Cook gnocchi according to package directions.
3. Into the roux add in the carrots and chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings, simmer until soup is heated through.


**Another 5 star recipe!