Description
This comforting Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup features tender shredded chicken simmered with vegetables, Italian seasoning, and creamy broth, finished with soft potato gnocchi and fresh spinach. Perfect for a hearty, easy-to-make meal that cooks itself throughout the day.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Vegetables
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
Pantry & Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 16 oz potato gnocchi (refrigerated, frozen, or shelf-stable)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter (optional, for sautéing)
Instructions
- Prep Vegetables: Dice the carrots, celery, and onion, and mince the garlic. For enhanced flavor, optionally sauté these vegetables in olive oil or butter until softened.
- Add to Crockpot: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the crockpot, then add the prepared vegetables, minced garlic, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and easily shreddable.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the crockpot and stir to incorporate.
- Add Gnocchi & Spinach: Stir in the potato gnocchi and fresh spinach into the soup. Continue cooking on HIGH for 30 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender and the spinach is wilted.
- Finish with Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Let the soup warm through for an additional 10 to 15 minutes before serving to create a creamy and comforting finish.
Notes
- If you prefer a richer soup, use heavy cream; for a lighter option, substitute with half-and-half.
- Optionally sautéing the vegetables before adding to the crockpot boosts their flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- The cooking time may vary based on your slow cooker; ensure the chicken is cooked through and tender for best results.
- Potato gnocchi can be refrigerated, frozen, or shelf-stable—adjust cooking time slightly if using frozen gnocchi.
- For a thicker soup, you can add a slurry of cornstarch and water during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
