Crockpot chicken gnocchi soup is the ultimate comfort food for busy days. Creamy, hearty, and full of tender shredded chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and vibrant spinach, this slow cooker version delivers cozy flavor with minimal effort. It’s a copycat of the popular Olive Garden soup but made even easier in your crockpot. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a hungry family, this soup is the kind of warm bowl you’ll crave again and again.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🕒 Hands-off slow cooking: Let your crockpot do the work.
- 🍗 Hearty and satisfying: Protein-packed with chicken and rich in veggies.
- 🥣 One-pot meal: Minimal cleanup.
- 🧄 Big flavor: Garlic, herbs, and cream make every spoonful irresistible.
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Perfect for batch cooking and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup half and half (or whole milk)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the base: In the crockpot, combine chicken, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, broth, thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Shred the chicken: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return it to the soup.
- Add cream & gnocchi: Stir in half and half. Add gnocchi and cook on HIGH for 30 more minutes, or until gnocchi are tender.
- Finish: Add spinach and stir until wilted (2–3 minutes). Add Parmesan, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley or extra cheese.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours (LOW)
- Total Time: ~7 hours
- Servings: 6
- Estimated Cost: $10–$12
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 26g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
Note: Nutrition values vary based on brand and substitutions.
Tips & Variations
- 🧀 Richer flavor: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or extra Parmesan.
- 🥓 Add bacon: Crispy bits add smoky depth.
- 🌱 Make it vegetarian: Swap chicken for cannellini beans and use veggie broth.
- 🧊 Freezing tip: Freeze without gnocchi and add fresh when reheating.
- 🌶️ Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes for a kick.
Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Equipment
- – Crockpot
- – Cutting board & knife
- Ladle
- – Mixing bowl (optional)
Ingredients
- – 1½ lbs chicken breasts
- – 1 small onion diced
- – 2 carrots sliced
- – 2 celery stalks diced
- – 3 garlic cloves minced
- – 1 tsp thyme
- – 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- – 4 cups chicken broth
- – 1 tsp salt
- – ½ tsp pepper
- – 1 cup half and half
- – 1 tbsp cornstarch optional
- – 1 16 oz pkg potato gnocchi
- – 2 cups baby spinach
- – ¼ cup Parmesan cheese optional
- – Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add chicken, veggies, garlic, broth, and seasoning to crockpot.
- Cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours.
- Remove chicken, shred, return to pot.
- Add half and half and gnocchi. Cook 30 min on HIGH.
- Stir in spinach until wilted. Add Parmesan.
- Serve warm, garnished with parsley or cheese.
Notes
– For a richer flavor, use heavy cream instead of half and half
– Add cooked bacon or mushrooms for extra heartiness
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but increase the cooking time by 1 hour and ensure it’s fully cooked before shredding.
Can I use fresh gnocchi?
Yes! Fresh or shelf-stable gnocchi both work well.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Use coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative—just expect a slight flavor change.
Can I cook this on the stovetop?
Absolutely! Simmer on the stove for about 30 minutes before adding gnocchi and spinach.
Conclusion
This crockpot chicken gnocchi soup is everything you want in a slow cooker recipe: creamy, hearty, comforting, and unbelievably easy. Whether it’s a cold night or a busy weekday, this soup will warm you from the inside out—and leave you with plenty of leftovers to enjoy later.