Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe for Cold Days

Comfort wraps around you like a warm embrace with this creamy slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup that promises pure culinary bliss.

Tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and vibrant vegetables mingle in a rich, velvety broth that sings with flavor.

Each spoonful tells a delicious story of home-cooked goodness and nourishing warmth.

The slow cooker works its magic, allowing ingredients to blend and deepen their complex tastes throughout the day.

Hearty and satisfying, this soup transforms simple ingredients into a meal that feels like a loving hug.

Fragrant herbs and perfectly cooked vegetables elevate every bite into a memorable dining experience.

Prepare to fall in love with a soup that turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Why Chicken Gnocchi Soup in the Slow Cooker Works

• Elevate Home Cooking: Discover a soup that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal with minimal effort.
• Comfort Food Reimagined: Create a hearty, creamy soup packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and crispy prosciutto that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
• One-Pot Dish: Simplify your cooking process by tossing ingredients into a slow cooker, letting it work its magic while you relax or tackle other tasks.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests with a restaurant-quality dish that requires surprisingly little culinary skill.

What Goes Into Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Chicken: Tender and juicy meat for the base of the soup.
• Prosciutto: Salty and crispy topping for extra flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Nutty and rich cheese for garnishing.

• Carrots, Onion, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetable trio.
• Parsley, Baby Spinach: Fresh green elements for color and nutrition.
• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer.

• Chicken Stock: Flavorful liquid foundation.
• Half-and-Half, Cornstarch: Creamy thickening agents.

• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings adding heartiness.
• Herbes de Provence, Paprika, Chili Flakes: Warm and complex spice blend.
• Chicken Bouillon, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning components.

How to Prepare Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Step 1: Build The Flavor Foundation

• Whole chicken
• Carrots
• Onion
• Celery
• Fresh parsley
• Herbes de Provence
• Paprika
• Chili flakes
• Chicken bouillon
• Garlic
• Chicken stock
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently mix everything to create a delicious base for your soup.

Step 2: Slow Cook The Chicken

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours until the chicken becomes super tender and completely cooked through.

Step 3: Shred The Chicken

Pull the chicken apart using two forks right in the pot.

If it’s easier, transfer to a cutting board first.

Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Create A Creamy Texture

Whisk cornstarch and half-and-half in a small bowl until smooth.

Pour this mixture into the slow cooker.

• Gnocchi
• Baby spinach

Stir everything together well.

Step 5: Final Cooking Stage

Cover and cook for 30-60 minutes on high.

The soup should thicken and gnocchi become tender.

Stir occasionally.

If the soup needs more thickening, add extra cornstarch slurry.

Step 6: Make Crispy Prosciutto Topping

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Spread prosciutto slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake 7-8 minutes until crispy.

Let cool, then break into pieces.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle soup into bowls.

Top with crispy prosciutto pieces and freshly grated Parmesan.

Serve with warm, crusty bread for dipping.

Savor every delicious spoonful!

Helpful Tips for Better Gnocchi Texture

• Use rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken for a quicker preparation and deeper flavor profile.
• Add gnocchi during the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to maintain their perfect texture and prevent them from becoming overly soft.
• Swap baby spinach with kale or Swiss chard for additional nutrients and a slightly earthier taste that complements the creamy soup.
• Replace half-and-half with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, and use gluten-free gnocchi to make the recipe suitable for various dietary restrictions.
• Adjust soup consistency by adding more chicken stock if too thick or creating an extra cornstarch slurry if too thin, ensuring ideal soup texture every time.

Storing and Warming Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Note that gnocchi might become softer when thawed.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if the soup has thickened too much during storage.
• Heat individual portions in microwave-safe bowls for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a little extra liquid if needed to maintain soup's creamy consistency.

Best Pairings for Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a bright Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy soup's richness and cut through its velvety texture.
• Serve with Rustic Garlic Bread: Create a side of toasted sourdough or baguette slices brushed with garlic-infused olive oil to soak up the soup's delicious broth.
• Match with Herb Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and chives to provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty soup's warm flavors.
• Enhance with Aged Parmesan: Offer additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the table, allowing diners to sprinkle extra tangy, salty notes over their soup for added depth.

Variations to Try With Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Soup: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock for a complete meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional wheat gnocchi with potato-based or gluten-free gnocchi, ensuring all ingredients like chicken bouillon are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute gnocchi with cauliflower gnocchi or zucchini noodles, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining similar texture and comfort food appeal.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use coconut milk or almond milk creamer instead of half-and-half, and replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy consistency.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup?

The key ingredients include chicken, carrots, onion, celery, gnocchi, baby spinach, half-and-half, chicken stock, and prosciutto. Herbes de Provence, paprika, and chili flakes add extra flavor to the soup.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken directly in the slow cooker. Just add about 1 hour to the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

The soup is not naturally gluten-free due to the gnocchi, which typically contains wheat flour. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free gnocchi or substitute with cauliflower gnocchi.

• How can I make this soup lighter or healthier?

Reduce the half-and-half and replace it with milk or a lighter cream. Use skinless chicken breast and trim the prosciutto to lower the fat content. You can also add more vegetables to increase nutritional value.

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup brings Italian comfort right to kitchen tables with pure warmth and simplicity. Hearty potatoes, tender chicken, and pillowy gnocchi meld together in a rich broth that wraps you in delicious memories of home-cooked goodness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
• 3 ounces prosciutto

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups carrots, small diced
• 2 cups white onion, small diced
• 2 cups celery, small diced
• 6 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press
• 5 ounces baby spinach or curly kale, gently torn or chopped

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon herbes de provence or poultry seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon or 1 cube
• 4 cups chicken stock or broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pound potato gnocchi
• 2.5 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
• Fresh parmesan, to garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine chicken, diced vegetables, herbs, and seasonings in a large slow cooker, creating a robust flavor foundation for the soup.
2. Submerge ingredients in chicken stock and allow them to simmer gently, transforming the raw components into a harmonious mixture.
3. After the cooking cycle, carefully separate the chicken into delicate, tender shreds using two forks, ensuring even distribution throughout the liquid.
4. Prepare a silky thickening agent by whisking cornstarch with half-and-half, creating a smooth emulsion to enhance the soup’s texture.
5. Introduce pillowy gnocchi and vibrant baby spinach into the slow cooker, stirring gently to integrate these delicate ingredients.
6. Continue cooking until the gnocchi become tender and the soup reaches a luxurious, creamy consistency, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
7. While the soup finalizes, transform prosciutto into crisp, delicate fragments by baking on a parchment-lined sheet until golden and crunchy.
8. Serve the soup in warm bowls, garnishing with the crisp prosciutto pieces, a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, and accompanying crusty bread for a complete, comforting meal.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting chili flakes to match your heat preference, ensuring every spoonful delivers the perfect warmth.
• Replace half-and-half with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the soup’s creamy texture and adds subtle nutty undertones.
• Swap chicken with rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken to reduce cooking time and simplify preparation without compromising flavor.
• Store crispy prosciutto separately to prevent sogginess, keeping its delightful crunch as a last-minute garnish when serving individual portions.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg