This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Are you a fan of Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup, but not all the fat and calories?
I think you’ll love my copycat version made lighter.
Just as rich, creamy and flavorful as the original. Only BETTER with less fat and calories and fewer Weight Watchers Points!
Tender bites of chicken, Italian potato dumplings and vegetables suspended in a thick, creamy flavorful broth, this soup is hearty enough to be meal-worthy.
Did I mention how much EVERYONE loves it?
Recipe Notes
I made this lightened up version of Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup by cobbling together several different copycat recipes from the internet.
The trickiest part was finding the gnocchi. I was able to locate vacuum-sealed packages in the pasta aisle of the second grocery store I visited. But you might also find them in the freezer section.
To round out your meal, serve with crusty bread or warm bread sticks and tossed salad just like Olive Garden. I definitely plan on serving up this soup again soon.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup?
According to my calculations, each generous 1-1/2 cup serving has about 225 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
6 SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
4 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
5 PointsPlus (Old plan)
If you like this lightened up recipe for copycat chicken gnocchi soup, be sure to check out some of my other Weight Watchers friendly soup recipes including Ham & Potato Soup Made Lighter, Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Made Lighter and Creamy Potato Mushroom Soup
If you’ve made this Healthy Chicken Gnocchi Soup, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe Made Lighter
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 cups chicken broth (I used jarred Better Than Bouillon to make mine)
- 4 cups water
- 1 package (16 to 18 ounces) potato gnocchi (I used DeCecco brand)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast (I used rotisserie chicken)
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large soup pot set over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion and celery. Cook, stirring often until the vegetables begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir 1 minute more.
- Whisk together the cornstarch and chicken broth. Add to the pot, along with the water.
- Allow the mixture to come to a boil and then add the gnocchi.
- Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and stir in the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the half-and-half, chicken and spinach and simmer 10 minutes more, until thickened.
- Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 6 SmartPoints (Green plan) 5 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 4 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 5 PointsPlus (Old plan) I made this lightened up version of Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup by cobbling together several different copycat recipes from the internet. The trickiest part was finding the gnocchi. I was able to locate vacuum-sealed packages in the pasta aisle of the second grocery store I visited. But you might also find them in the freezer section. To round out your meal serve with crusty bread or warm bread sticks and tossed salad just like Olive Garden. I definitely plan on serving up this soup again.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Here’s another variation of Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup to consider:
Do you think whole or skim milk would work in place of fat free half and half
Hi Jean, I’ve only made it with fat free half and half. It might be a bit less rich tasting with milk, especially skim milk. Evaporated milk is another option. If you try it, let us know how it turns out for you. ~ Martha
Has anyone tried this with Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi?
Excellent. Just the two of us, cut the recipe in half. I also used 1/4 cup half and half, 1/4 cup skim milk, instead of all half and half. I used chicken broth with a teaspoon of Better than Bouillion. Very tasty soup. It’s a keeper.
This soup is excellent! This is the second time that I’ve made this and used Better than Bouillion instead of chicken broth. I think it made all of the difference. I used only 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp pepper. Love it!!!
Loved this. Perfect for a snowy evening. Hearty and tasty!
This recipe was fair. I did not use rotisserie chicken, which is highly flavored. Even though I added some salt, it was not enough. I agree with the previous comment that this was watery, not thick, and it didn’t call for enough corn starch to make it thick. There was too much liquid and not enough content. If I made this again, I would omit the water, add more salt and add more spinach.
Another recipe for my “make often” recipe file. Followed recipe exactly and it was perfect. Only small change was I added some tapioca to thicken it a bit. This will be made often in the winter months. Delicious!!
I have never had the Olive Garden gnocchi soup, but this is delicious. Would never know it is a lighter version of an original. My daughter also loved it and does not eat lighter.
I watched the video first and you talked about flour but ingredients say cornstarch? Also there is nutmeg listed in ingredients but not in video? You say in the video about a half and half + milk mixture but there is no milk listed in ingredients?
I know recipes change I just wondered which you liked better?
Hi Lisa,
Sorry for the confusion. The video is actually a different recipe that I haven’t tried. I have moved it to the bottom of the post to be less confusing. Please use the written instructions. Hope the helps! – Martha
Ours was green. Was yours?