Ultimate Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup: An Easy & Hearty Family Favorite
Prepare for a new family favorite that will warm you from the inside out: this incredible Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Imagine tender, succulent chicken, nestled among perfectly pillowy potato gnocchi, all swimming in a rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful broth. This recipe is the epitome of comfort food, designed for those busy days when you crave a homemade meal without the fuss. Simply ‘set it and forget it’ in your slow cooker, and return hours later to a simmering pot of pure culinary bliss. It’s truly a cozy and satisfying dish that brings smiles to the dinner table with minimal effort.
Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Will Become Your Go-To
For years, gnocchi wasn’t really on my radar, but as an adult, I’ve become absolutely obsessed with those delightful, chewy dumplings! My journey began with a Baked Cheesy Chicken Gnocchi recipe, which I still adore. However, I soon realized the potential of incorporating gnocchi into a classic, comforting soup. And what could be more comforting than a hearty chicken soup?
Chicken noodle soup holds a special place in many hearts for its unparalleled ability to soothe and nourish. I wanted to capture that familiar warmth but elevate it with the unique texture of gnocchi. The challenge was finding a way to add gnocchi without it becoming soggy or disintegrating in the broth. Through some experimentation (and a key tip I’ll share below!), I discovered the secret to perfectly cooked, al dente gnocchi in a creamy, rich, and utterly satisfying broth.
This slow cooker version makes it incredibly easy. You simply load most of the ingredients into your slow cooker, let it gently simmer and meld flavors throughout the day, and then add the gnocchi and a few finishing touches right before serving. The result is a wonderfully robust and creamy chicken gnocchi soup that feels both gourmet and homey. Serve it with a warm, crusty chunk of bread – perfect for soaking up every last drop of that amazing broth. It’s a truly satisfying meal that requires minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner.
More Comforting Chicken Soup Recipes to Explore
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
Key Ingredients for Your Hearty Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This gnocchi soup is crafted with wholesome, simple ingredients that come together to create a complex and satisfying flavor profile. I’ve categorized them to help you organize your shopping and understand when each element joins the party. Get ready to feel great about every slurp of this nourishing soup!
Slow Cooker Simmering Essentials:
These are the foundational ingredients that will slow cook all day, building a deep and aromatic base for your soup:
- Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts: We use breasts for ease, but boneless, skinless thighs would also work wonderfully for an even richer flavor.
- Aromatic Vegetables (Mirepoix):
- Onion: Adds a sweet and savory depth.
- Celery: Provides essential savory notes and texture.
- Carrot: Contributes natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Garlic: Minced garlic is crucial for that pungent, aromatic kick that elevates any good soup.
- Chicken Broth: The liquid base for our soup. Use a good quality broth or stock for the best flavor. Low-sodium is a great option if you prefer to control the salt level.
- A Medley of Dried Herbs:
- Dried Basil: Classic Italian-inspired flavor.
- Dried Parsley: A fresh, slightly peppery note.
- Dried Oregano: Earthy and aromatic.
- Dried Rosemary: Adds a beautiful, piney aroma that complements chicken perfectly.
- Essential Seasonings:
- Poultry Seasoning: A blend that enhances all the flavors of chicken.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, always adjust at the end for perfect seasoning.
Finishing Touches (Added at the End):
These ingredients are incorporated towards the end of the cooking process to ensure perfect texture and freshness:
- Potato Gnocchi: The star of the show! Use store-bought shelf-stable or refrigerated gnocchi for convenience. Adding them at the very end prevents them from getting soggy.
- Cornstarch: This acts as our thickening agent, creating that luxurious, creamy consistency without lumps.
- Evaporated Milk: The secret to the soup’s incredible creaminess and richness. It provides a velvety texture without making the soup too heavy.
- Crispy Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon adds a fantastic salty, smoky crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy soup.
- Baby Spinach: Stirred in at the last minute, it wilts perfectly, adding a pop of color and a boost of nutrients.
For precise measurements and detailed instructions, make sure to refer to the full recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Crafting Your Delicious Chicken Gnocchi Soup: Step-by-Step
Making this creamy chicken gnocchi soup in your slow cooker is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful, homemade meal with minimal effort. Here’s how to bring it all together:
Step 1: The Long, Flavorful Simmer
Begin by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly at the bottom of your slow cooker. On top of the chicken, layer your chopped vegetables – the onion, celery, and carrot – followed by the minced garlic. Pour in the chicken broth and then generously sprinkle over all the dried herbs: basil, parsley, oregano, poultry seasoning, and crushed rosemary. Finish with a good seasoning of salt and pepper. Once all ingredients are in, cover your slow cooker and let the magic happen. Cook on the LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or if you’re in more of a hurry, cook on HIGH for 4 hours. This slow cooking time allows all the flavors to deeply meld and the chicken to become incredibly tender.
Step 2: Shredding and Thickening for Creaminess
Once the cooking time is complete and the chicken is fully cooked and tender, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken right in the slow cooker or on a cutting board, then return it to the pot. Now, it’s time to add the gnocchi. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of the evaporated milk until a smooth slurry forms. This prevents lumps. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the soup, along with the remaining evaporated milk. Stir everything thoroughly to combine. The cornstarch will help thicken the soup to a luxurious, creamy consistency.
Step 3: The Final Touches and Immediate Serve
If you haven’t already, now is the time to fry your bacon slices until they are wonderfully crispy. Once cooled enough to handle, crumble the bacon into small pieces. Add the crumbled bacon and the fresh baby spinach directly into the slow cooker. Stir gently until the spinach just begins to wilt into the warm soup. At this point, your Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is ready to be served immediately! The gnocchi will be perfectly tender, and the broth will be rich and creamy. Enjoy every spoonful of this hearty and comforting meal!
Tips for Success & Delicious Variations
Elevate your Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup even further with these handy tips and ideas:
- The Secret to Perfect Gnocchi: As mentioned, the absolute key to preventing soggy, mushy gnocchi is to add them right at the very end of the cooking process. Gnocchi cook quickly – a few minutes in the hot soup is all they need to become perfectly tender and absorb flavor without falling apart. Don’t add them at the beginning of the slow cooking cycle!
- Adjusting Creaminess: If you prefer an even creamier soup, you can add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half along with the evaporated milk. For a lighter touch, use less evaporated milk or substitute with more chicken broth.
- Veggie Boost: Feel free to add other vegetables to the slow cooker at the beginning, such as chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or diced potatoes (though you have gnocchi, so extra potatoes might be overkill). Peas or corn can be stirred in with the spinach at the end for extra color and sweetness.
- Herb Power: While dried herbs work perfectly for slow cooking, if you have fresh herbs on hand, feel free to use them! A tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs is roughly equivalent to a teaspoon of dried. Finish with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for a vibrant garnish.
- Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the other seasonings at the start will give your soup a subtle warmth.
- Cheesy Goodness: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over each bowl before serving is highly recommended. It adds a delicious salty, umami depth that complements the creamy broth beautifully.
- Gluten-Free Option: Most major grocery stores now carry gluten-free potato gnocchi, making this a fantastic option for those with dietary restrictions.
- Make it a Meal: This soup is quite hearty on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad, garlic bread, or a warm, crusty baguette for dipping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chicken Gnocchi Soup
The ultimate secret to perfectly cooked gnocchi in soup is to add them right at the very end of the cooking process, just before serving. Gnocchi cook quickly, typically in just 2-3 minutes in hot liquid. Adding them last allows them to cook to an al dente texture, absorbing the delicious flavors of the soup without overcooking, becoming mushy, or releasing too much starch into the broth. If added too early or cooked too long, they can indeed become soggy and lose their delightful chewiness.
Gnocchi are a type of soft, doughy dumpling in Italian cuisine. While there are various regional variations, the most popular and widely recognized kind is potato gnocchi. These are typically made from a mixture of cooked mashed potatoes, wheat flour, egg, and salt. The ingredients are combined to form a pliable dough, which is then rolled and cut into small, bite-sized pieces, often pressed with a fork to create ridges that help hold sauce or, in this case, soak up a creamy broth.
Allow your Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for optimal freshness, though it can last up to 7 days. When reheating, it’s important to note that the gnocchi will continue to absorb liquid and may swell, making the soup much thicker. To regain the original consistency, you’ll likely need to add a splash more chicken broth, milk, or even a little water while reheating on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.
While you can technically freeze this soup, it’s generally not recommended if the gnocchi has already been added. Gnocchi tend to become very soft and mushy, and their texture can break down significantly when thawed and reheated after freezing. If you plan to freeze the soup, it’s best to freeze the broth and chicken mixture *without* the gnocchi, spinach, or bacon. When ready to serve, thaw the soup, reheat it on the stovetop, and then add fresh gnocchi, spinach, and bacon as per the recipe instructions.
More Irresistible Slow Cooker Recipes to Try Next
If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results of slow cooker meals, check out some of these other fantastic recipes:
- Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
- Slow Cooker Chili
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti Meatball Soup
- Slow Cooker Chili Mac
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
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Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is warm, hearty, and comforting. With its pillowy soft gnocchi and creamy broth, it has quickly become a family favorite. Set it and forget it in your slow cooker and then a few hours later you’ll be enjoying a bowl of this cozy and flavorful meal!
8 -10
Countryside Cravings
10 mins
8 hrs
8 hrs 10 mins
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 3/4 cup chopped carrot
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
- 6-8 slices bacon, fried until crispy and crumbled
- 3-6 ounces of baby spinach
Instructions
- Place your chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place veggies (onion, celery, carrot), garlic, broth, basil, parsley, oregano, poultry seasoning, rosemary, and salt and pepper on top of the chicken breasts. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Once chicken is cooked, remove it and shred. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and add in the gnocchi. In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch with a little bit of the evaporated milk until smooth, then add it to the soup along with the rest of the evaporated milk. Stir well to combine and thicken.
- If you haven’t already, fry the bacon until crispy. Allow it to cool until able to handle and crumble into small pieces. Add the crumbled bacon to the soup along with the baby spinach. Stir gently until the spinach wilts. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Allow your soup to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days (or up to 7 days if you plan to eat it quickly). Reheat gently on the stovetop.
Keep in mind that the gnocchi will soak up a lot of liquid as it sits. When you reheat the soup, you may want to add more chicken broth and/or evaporated milk to achieve your desired consistency.
