Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This is a copycat recipe I've put together for Olive Garden's creamy soup made with chicken, traditional Italian dumplings, and spinach.

This is my all-time favorite soup. It is so hearty and delicious, and it doesn't take too much work at all to make. Everyone in your home can enjoy delicious Olive Garden style soup without having to go out or spend a lot of money.

• 3 T butter
• 2 large carrots, diced
• celery stalk, diced
• small onion, diced
• 1 T minced garlic
• 1/3 C flour
• 4 C chicken broth
• 2 C milk
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 2 C chicken, cooked
• 3 C fresh spinach
• 1 lb pkg gnocchi

Peel and dice 2 large carrots, 1 celery stalk, and 1 small onion. (I didn't use celery when I made this as we have a family member who can't eat it).

In a large stockpot over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and mix in prepared vegetables. Season with a little salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes. Then add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.

A roux is a mixture of fat and flour used as a thickening agent for soups. We've already added fat in the form of butter. Now, add 1/3 cup of flour to the pot and whisk together with the buttery vegetables. Allow it to cook for a couple minutes. Slowly whisk in chicken broth 1 cup at a time until you've added 4 cups. Afterwards, add 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Heat till boiling then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes. Simmering will thicken the roux so don't worry if it's not looking creamy like you want, it will by the time you are done.

While your roux is thickening, cube and cook 2 cups of chicken in a separate pan. After your roux has simmered for 20 minutes, turn up the heat to medium and add 3 cups of fresh spinach, 1 lb of gnocchi, and the cooked chicken. Cook the soup for 4 minutes to wilt the spinach and cook the gnocchi.

(You can also cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions in a separate pot, but I've never had problems cooking it in the soup and it saves a pot from needing washed.)

Serve the soup warm with grated parmesan over top.