Chicken Gnocchi Soup

If you have ever been to Olive Garden and had their Chicken Gnocchi soup (and liked it), you may want to try this recipe! It isn't the exact same of course, but we love it nonetheless. In the spirit of all things Italian carb-y I will share this recipe with you. I shared yesterday that our menu was a little tilted towards the pasta/carb part of the food pyramid...I will work on that next week. For now, please try this recipe!



(If you have an ALDI near you, that is a great place to get gnocchi right now. They have them only a few times a year, for a great price. If not, you can get them in the pasta/Italian isle at the grocery)



Now, if I was Ethan, Zach, and Emma's mommy, I'd have a picture of all the steps I took to make the soup. I'm not that good, but check out her blog each Monday because she always has nice recipes! I don't even know where I got this recipe, I think I searched "Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup" online awhile back and got it. I doubt a waiter from The Garden just gave it to me :o)

Please excuse the fact that the pot is half gone...I was eating and decided it was so delicious I had to share!

"Olive Garden" Chicken Gnocchi Soup

4 diced chicken breasts
4c. Chicken stock/broth
2c. Half & Half
1/2 c. finely chopped celery
1 or 2 garlic cloves (depends on how much you like garlic?)
1/2 c. finely chopped carrot
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. fresh spinach, finely chopped
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
16 oz. gnocchi

1. Saute chicken and garlic in olive oil, and when just cooked add onion, celery, carrot. Saute until tender

2. Transfer to a pot and add chicken stock, half & half, and seasonings. Heat to a boil.

3. Add gnocchi and boil 4 minutes. Turn down and simmer 10 more minutes

4. Add spinach and simmer until well wilted (if at this point it seems very thing, you can heat to boiling and add 1 Tbs of cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbs of water...probably not necessary)

5. Serve hot with a nice salad and bread sticks, maybe some candle light :o)

Serves 6

Let me know if you tried it and if you liked it!