Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This super simple Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup will tickle your taste buds! It’s cozy, comforting and delicious!

Nothing beats the coziness of a warm bowl of soup, and this incredibly easy recipe is a busy night dinner hit! Olive Garden has a bottomless gnocchi soup that I’ve always been a fan of, and I made it my mission to create something similar.

I wanted to make a more calorie friendly, higher protein version, and I finally succeeded. Mine has all the richness and depth of flavor you’re looking for in this type of soup with an added level of fullness and deliciousness!

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Chicken Broth 
• Shredded Carrot
• Diced Carrot
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Flaky Poultry Seasoning
• Dried Basil
• Salt/White or Black Pepper
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken
• Cornstarch
• Milk
• Gnocchi
• Fresh Spinach
• Parmesan Cheese (not pictured)

Tools You’ll Need

• Crockpot
• Meat Chopper or 2 Forks
• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife
• Grater
• Ladle

Why You’ll like this Recipe

• It's incredibly easy to make!
• It's versatile in the level of seasonings and thickness you desire in a soup!
• It's an excellent meal to make on busy days!
• It's a whole, delicious dinner in 1 bowl!

How to Make this Recipe

1. To a large Crockpot, stir together broth, carrots, celery, garlic powder, onion powder, flaky poultry seasoning, basil, salt, pepper and chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
3. Uncover and either break apart the chicken inside the Crockpot with a meat chopper or transfer to a bowl, shred with 2 forks, and return to the Crockpot.

4. Stir the cornstarch into the milk. 

5. To the Crockpot, stir in the milk, gnocchi and spinach. 

6. Set the Crockpot to the high setting, if not already set on high. Cover and cook until the potato gnocchi is cooked through (15-20 minutes).
7. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings to preference. Garnish with parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes.

Tips and Substitutions

• To make this on the stovetop, simmer step 1 ingredients until the chicken is cooked through. Shred, then add remaining ingredients. Cook until the gnocchi is tender.
• Make this soup even quicker on the stovetop by using a rotisserie chicken. Bring step 1 ingredients to a simmer. Add the cornstarch/milk mixture and gnocchi. Once tender and thickened, about 15-20, add the shredded rotisserie and spinach. Cook until the chicken is heated and spinach has wilted. Lastly, add the parmesan cheese.
• If you can't find gnocchi, you could substitute with a small pasta like mini penne shells or rotini.
• If you want to add a creamier or thicker texture, the milk can be substituted with half & half or heavy cream.
• Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. Fresh garlic and herbs can be used in place of dried.
• Romano cheese can be used in addition to or along with parmesan for extra richness.
• Consider adding a dollop of pesto, a sprinkle of grated cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil when serving for added flavor and pizzazz.
• Breadsticks or French bread are excellent dippers for this soup!

Storage

• Once leftovers have cooled, store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container up to 4-5 days.
• While you can freeze leftovers up to 2-3 months in a freezer-safe container, it can compromise the texture of the gnocchi. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use frozen chicken in the Crockpot for this soup?
  • It's recommended to use pre-thawed chicken for more even cooking, but frozen chicken can be used as well. Simply adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Can I use homemade gnocchi versus store-bought?
  • Absolutely! Here's a link for making homemade gnocchi!
• Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
  • Absolutely! You can add vegetables like green beans, mushrooms, peppers or peas for added flavor and nutrition. Just chop them into small, bite-sized pieces and add them to the Crockpot.
• How do I thicken the soup if I prefer it thicker?
  • If the soup is too thin despite the cornstarch you’ve already used, you can add more. Simply stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water or milk then add to the soup.
• Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
  • Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken. It's excellent for making it on the stovetop. Add the pre-cooked chicken towards the end of the cooking time to prevent it from overcooking and becoming dry.
  • Yes! Simmer step 1 ingredients until the chicken is cooked through. Shred, then add remaining ingredients. Cook until the gnocchi is tender.

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