The Chicken & Gnocchi is Olive Garden’s second most popular soup (behind Zuppa Toscana) and features roasted chicken and tender Italian potato dumplings in a thick, creamy broth with fresh spinach. The gnocchi (pronounced “NYOH-kee”) are small, pillowy potato dumplings that practically melt in your mouth — they’re the star of this soup and what sets it apart from everything else on the menu.
This soup is the heartiest option Olive Garden offers, sitting at 350 calories per bowl. On cold days, it’s the most requested soup in the restaurant. The creamy broth is thick enough to coat a spoon, and the combination of chicken, gnocchi, and spinach makes each bite feel like a mini meal. During the unlimited lunch combo ($11.99), you can get unlimited refills — and many guests go through 3-4 bowls.
A single bowl costs $8.79. The best value is unlimited bowls as part of the $11.99 lunch combo (Monday-Friday, 11AM-3PM). You also get unlimited soup as a side with any dine-in entree — so pairing it with Chicken Alfredo or Lasagna means unlimited Chicken & Gnocchi at no extra cost.
It’s the highest-calorie soup on the menu, but at 350 calories it’s still reasonable. Compare it to the other options:
To recreate it: sauté diced onion and garlic in butter, add chicken broth and cream, bring to a simmer. Add pre-made gnocchi (found in most grocery stores), shredded rotisserie chicken, and fresh spinach. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Simmer 10 minutes. The key is using enough cream to get that thick, velvety broth — don’t skimp.
Available at most Olive Garden locations daily. Find your nearest Olive Garden and call ahead to confirm soup availability. For the full soup lineup, see our soup, salad & breadsticks guide.