Ingredients
Protein
- Chicken breasts or thighs (tender and juicy protein)
Vegetables
- Carrots (diced)
- Celery (diced)
- Onion (diced)
- Garlic (minced)
- Fresh spinach or kale (for color and nutrition)
Carbohydrates
- Potato gnocchi (soft, pillowy dumplings)
Liquids
- Chicken broth (flavorful liquid base)
- Heavy cream or half-and-half (adds richness and smoothness)
- Olive oil or butter (for sautéing aromatics)
Herbs & Spices
- Fresh thyme and parsley (freshen and brighten flavor)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prep and Sauté Aromatics: Start by heating olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat. Sauté diced onions, garlic, celery, and carrots until softened and fragrant. This step builds the flavorful base for your soup.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Transfer the sautéed veggies to the crockpot along with chicken broth and chicken pieces. Add herbs such as thyme, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Set the crockpot to low and let it simmer to tenderize the chicken and meld flavors.
- Cook Chicken Thoroughly: Allow the soup to cook for about 4-5 hours so the chicken becomes tender and easy to shred, enriching the broth.
- Add Gnocchi and Greens: About 30 minutes before serving, add the gnocchi and fresh spinach or kale to the crockpot. They cook quickly and provide wonderful texture and color.
- Stir in Cream and Adjust Seasonings: Turn off the crockpot and stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half for richness. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Serve hot for the ultimate cozy meal.
Notes
- Use fresh gnocchi for better texture in the slow cooker.
- Do not add cream early to prevent curdling; add it at the end.
- Shred chicken directly inside the crockpot with forks to avoid mess.
- Sauté aromatics first to layer and deepen flavors.
- Add gnocchi late in cooking to keep them tender, not mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free gnocchi)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Slow Cooker Soup, Comfort Food, Creamy Chicken Soup, Easy Dinner, Gnocchi Soup