Better Than Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A cozy, creamy dinner that tastes like it simmered all day — but comes together in a fraction of the time. Perfect for busy weeknights, fall evenings, or those moments when you just want a bowl of warmth on the table fast.

There’s something so comforting about a bowl of soup that feels like a hug from home. On busy nights — especially with little ones underfoot — I reach for my Instant Pot more often than not- because why not?!

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This Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup has quickly become a family favorite around here.

It’s creamy, hearty, and tastes like it’s been cooking all afternoon… but the best part? It’s done in under 30 minutes. So simple my toddler even helped (and maybe sampled a few pieces of chicken along the way 😉).

It’s inspired by that cozy Olive Garden taste we all love, but made simpler, fresher, and with ingredients you likely already have in your fridge or pantry.

Serves 6-8

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Bake Time: 15 minutes cook time

Ingredients: 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or my Simply Seasoned Roasted Chicken (in my cookbook)

3 Tbsp butter

1 small sweet onion

1 cup carrots, cut into cubes or julienned

2 ⅓ cup chicken broth

3 cups half-and-half, slightly warmed

1 Tbsp dried thyme or 1 drop thyme vitality oil

2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1-16 oz potato gnocchi

2 cups chopped fresh spinach

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions:

1. Heat instant pot using sauté setting. Add butter to melt. Add in onions until onions are translucent and then carrots.

2. Add in chicken, broth, half-and-half, thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

3. Add in gnocchi, spinach and parmesan cheese.

4. Cook under soup setting for 8 minutes.

5. Serve and enjoy!

   
   

Notes:

Double recipe by adding double gnocchi and 1½ times more liquids.

If you like a thicker soup, add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to ¼ cup of cold water, stir, and add to the soup immediately after cooking. Allow to thicken for 2 minutes or so.

This recipe is everything I love about cooking at home — simple, nourishing, and made to gather around. Whether you’re chasing toddlers, juggling dinner time, or just craving something warm and homemade, this one’s for you.

💛 If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out more cozy favorites in my Living Cookbook — filled with family-approved meals for every season!

📦 Shop my favorite kitchen tools and pantry staples on my Amazon page — where you’ll find everything I use to make these quick weeknight dinners happen.

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And... in case you missed it... we just launched our first ever virtual cookbook.

The Living Cookbook

A Virtual Recipe Collection

From my table to yours — recipes for gathering, comfort, and joy.

What if mealtime wasn’t just another box to check?

What if it became the anchor of your day — a moment to slow down, gather close, and savor something that warms your heart as much as your home?

That’s exactly why I created The Living Cookbook — a growing digital collection of tried-and-true, family-loved recipes for every season of life.

🥄 What Makes It “Living”?

Unlike a printed cookbook that sits on a shelf gathering dust, this one grows with you.

👩‍🍳 New recipes added seasonally — so you’re never stuck in a dinner rut

📝 Virtual format — view it anywhere, anytime

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family-tested favorites — approved by real moms and hungry kid

s📅 Seasonal dishes — perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, and every night in between

Whether you’re meal planning for a busy week, prepping for a family get-together, or just trying to get dinner on the table without a meltdown — this cookbook has you covered.

💡 Perfect For:

Moms who want less stress and more joy in the kitchen

Families who value gathering around the table

Anyone craving comfort food with purpose

People who love simple, southern-inspired meals made from pantry staples

📚 What’s Inside:

✔️ Instant Pot Staples

✔️ Holiday Traditions

✔️ Crowd-Pleasing Dishes

✔️ Homemade Breads + Treats

✔️ Family Favorites

✔️ And so much more...

And since this is a living collection, you’ll always have something fresh and seasonal to look forward to.

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I created this to inspire you, equip you, and empower you to create moments of connection and comfort — no matter the season.

Peek Inside:

Here are some of the recipes you'll find inside-

Berry Compote

Rum Peach French Toast

Sausage Breakfast Gravy

Cinnamon Sugar Bread

Berry French Toast Bake

Apple Walnut Bread

Apple Fritter Donuts

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Creamy Tuna Casserole

Crack Chicken Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi

Chicken Parm

Homemade Marinara

Nashville Hot Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Simply Seasoned Roasted Chicken

Roasted Chicken Ciabatta Melt

Thyme Lemon Roasted Chicken

Mexican Salsa

Pineapple Mango Salsa

Cranberry Cream Cheese Ball

Sloppy Joes

Fall off the Bone Pork Ribs

Perfect Tempura

Panko Crusted Chicken Bites

Chicken Tostadas

Bang Bang Chicken

Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie

Cajun Shrimp Carbonara

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Greek Pasta SaladBaked Beans

Chili Dogs

Whipped Cream

Lemon Blueberry Bars

No Bake Eclair

Chocolate Ganache

Pecan Pie

Peach Cobbler

Banana Walnut Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Oatmeal Crème Pies

Love Bugs

Please note: Due to the digital nature of this product, all sales are final. This is a pre-launch offer, and the price reflects the ongoing additions and updates.

Ready to Make Meal Planning Easier?

Grab your copy here of my virtual cookbook today and start enjoying simple, southern recipes that your whole family will love.

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Thank you for spending a few moments of your day here in my kitchen.

I hope you leave inspired to try something new — a recipe that brings your family together, fills your home with comfort, and reminds you that joy is found in the little things (and sometimes, in the perfect bite).

If today’s recipe made your table a little sweeter, here are a few ways we can keep cooking together:

📬 Subscribe for Recipe Updates — never miss a new meal idea, holiday bake, or cozy kitchen favorite.

🥣 Grab my Living Cookbook — filled with family-approved, tried-and-true recipes that grow with you through every season.

🛒 Shop my Amazon Pantry & Kitchen Gadgets — from my go-to spices to the cookware I use daily, you’ll find everything I love in one place.

🌿 Join the Joyful Life Community — a free space for connection, encouragement, and practical tips for every season.

📸 Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for behind-the-scenes life, daily inspiration, and my latest projects.

📌 Find me on Pinterest for endless homemaking, seasonal, and family activity ideas.

🎙 Listen to the Podcast or

🎥 watch on YouTube for deeper conversations and stories we can share together.

💛 Shop my favorite finds & discounts — from home essentials to seasonal must-haves, I’ve gathered them in one place for you (some are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my family and this space!).

Your support means the world — it allows me to create, share, and raise my little ones from home, which is truly our family’s dream. Thank you for being here and for making this space such a joy to pour into.

With Joy and gratitude,

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