Description
Creamy, comforting, and loaded with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and hearty vegetables, this Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal. Inspired by the popular Olive Garden dish, it’s rich, flavorful, and made effortlessly in your slow cooker. Ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this soup is guaranteed to warm you from the inside out.
Ingredients
-
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
-
1 cup carrots, diced
-
1 cup celery, diced
-
1 small yellow onion, diced
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
4 cups (1 liter) low-sodium chicken broth
-
1 tsp dried thyme
-
1 tsp dried basil
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
-
1 (16 oz / 450g) package potato gnocchi
-
2 cups baby spinach or chopped kale
-
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
-
2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
-
2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for optional pre-sautéing)
Instructions
Step 1 – Add Base Ingredients:
Place chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper into the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Step 2 – Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
Step 3 – Shred Chicken:
Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the crockpot.
Step 4 – Add Gnocchi and Cream:
Stir in the gnocchi, cream, and spinach. Cook on high for 30–45 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender and the soup is slightly thickened.
Step 5 – Optional Thickening:
For a thicker soup, mix cornstarch with water and stir in during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Step 6 – Serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Frozen gnocchi works fine—no need to thaw.
To save time, use store-bought pre-shredded rotisserie chicken and add it in the last 30 minutes.
Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours (total)
- Category: Soup, Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken gnocchi soup, crockpot recipes, slow cooker soup, Olive Garden copycat, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner