Some days I just need dinner to feel like a hug. The kind of dinner that tastes warm and soft and makes me feel like I got one thing right today. That is what this Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup does for me.
It is creamy, cozy, and full of flavor. My kids actually eat it, which is a big deal around here. It is one of those Chicken Crockpot recipes I go back to again and again. When I do not know what to make and my brain feels like mashed potatoes, I just throw this in the slow cooker and move on.
This soup is one of the best Chicken Dishes In Crockpot because it is easy and tastes like something from a restaurant. But I made it. In my kitchen. With one kid crying, another one asking for snacks, and the third one dancing in socks on the floor I just mopped.
If you love Chicken Based Soups Crock Pot style, or if you are always looking for Easy Dump Crockpot Soups that save your evening, this one is it. You get all the cozy feels of Chicken Soup Crockpot Recipes but with gnocchi, which is like little potato pillows that make everything better.
It is one of my favorite Chicken Soup In Slow Cooker meals when I need comfort food that does not make a big mess. Add this to your go-to list for Hearty Dinner Recipes Crock Pot nights, Slow Cooker Chicken Soup Recipes, or even Instapot Soups With Chicken if you forgot to plan ahead.
Whether you call it Soup Chicken, Crockpot Soup With Chicken, or just magic in a bowl, this recipe belongs in your regular rotation. Trust me. It will save your cold, tired, slightly chaotic Tuesday night.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup chopped carrots (I use baby carrots and just chop them fast)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped or mashed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt (or more if you like)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (16 oz) package of potato gnocchi (the shelf-stable kind)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or throw in kale if you are brave)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water (for thickening)
- 1 tablespoon butter (adds that lil extra cozy taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Load it up
Add chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, thyme, salt, pepper, and butter to the crockpot. Stir it a little. It might not look amazing yet, but trust me.
Step 2: Let it do the work
Cover the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. While it cooks, I catch up on dishes, or at least pretend I will.
Step 3: Shred that chicken
Take the chicken out. Shred it with two forks. It should fall apart easy. Drop it back into the soup and stir it all around.
Step 4: Toss in the gnocchi and spinach
Add the gnocchi and spinach to the crockpot. Cook on high for 30 more minutes or until the gnocchi gets soft and fluffy. The spinach will melt into the soup like magic.
Step 5: Cream it up
Pour in the heavy cream. If you want the soup thicker (I always do), mix the cornstarch and cold water together in a little cup and pour that in too. Stir it and cook for 15 more minutes.
Why This Soup Is My Best Friend
This soup shows up when I need help. It is one of those easy dump crockpot soups that never lets me down. When the day is rough and I just want something warm in my belly, this hits different.
It is one of my favorite chicken based soups crock pot style. It is also a great swap when you want something different than the usual chicken soup crockpot recipes. This one feels fancier but is still one of those pot recipes easy enough to make on a school night.
Sometimes I even make it in the instapot when I forget to start the crockpot. It still turns out creamy and delicious.
My kids love it. I love it. And I love that it makes me feel like I did something right that day.
If you are looking for chicken soups crockpot that bring the comfort without bringing the drama, this one is for you. Add it to your list of slow cooker chicken soup recipes. You are gonna want it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes. I do it all the time when I forget to thaw anything. Just toss it in frozen. It will cook just fine in the crockpot. Just check that it is cooked through before shredding.
Is this soup thick or thin?
It is creamy and kinda thick. Not super thick like stew, but not watery either. If you want it thicker, add the cornstarch and water mix like I do. It makes it more cozy and filling.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Totally. If you already have cooked chicken, skip the slow cook part. Just dump everything else in, let it cook a bit, then stir in the rotisserie chicken near the end.
How do I store leftovers?
Put the leftovers in a container in the fridge. They stay good for like 3 days. It thickens more overnight, which I kinda love. Warm it up on the stove or microwave. Add a splash of broth or milk if it gets too thick.
Can I freeze it?
I would not. Gnocchi does not always freeze well — it can get weird and mushy. If you want to freeze the soup, leave the gnocchi out and add it fresh when you reheat.
Recipe Card: Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts or thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 16 oz package potato gnocchi
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water optional, for thickening
Instructions
Step 1: Add to Crockpot
- Put chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, thyme, salt, pepper, and butter in your crockpot. Give it a quick stir.
Step 2: Cook
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
- Take out the chicken, shred it with two forks, and toss it back into the soup. Stir it all together.
Step 4: Add Gnocchi and Spinach
- Stir in the gnocchi and spinach. Cook on high for about 30 minutes, until gnocchi is soft and pillowy and spinach is wilted.
Step 5: Add Cream + Thicken
- Pour in the heavy cream. If you want the soup thicker, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then stir it in. Let it cook for 15 more minutes.
Notes
Tips
- Frozen chicken works fine — just add a little extra cook time.
- Want more veggies? Toss in mushrooms or peas.
- For extra richness, swap ½ cup of broth for milk or add more butter at the end.
- Not a fan of spinach? Leave it out or try kale (but chop it small).
Variations
- Instapot Version: Pressure cook the first ingredients for 15 mins, shred chicken, then add gnocchi, cream, and spinach on sauté mode.
- Cream-Free Version: Skip the cream for a brothier feel — still delish.
- Rotisserie Hack: Use precooked rotisserie chicken and just heat everything for 2–3 hours on low.
This Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is one of them recipes I keep comin back to. It is creamy and warm and just makes everything feel a little better. When the day is loud and the house is wild, I love having easy dump crockpot soups like this that do the work for me.
It is one of my favorite chicken soup crockpot recipes because it feels kinda fancy but it is really not. Just dump, cook, and stir. It is one of those chicken dishes in crockpot that saves the night when I got zero time and even less energy.
If you are searching for chicken based soups crock pot meals that taste like comfort, this one is it. I would say it is up there with all the best slow cooker chicken soup recipes I have ever made. Even picky eaters be slurpin it down.
You can even make it one of your pot recipes easy list or turn it into instapot soups with chicken if you forgot to plan dinner. I have done both and it still tastes amazing.
Sometimes I want soup chicken. Sometimes I want hearty slow cooker chicken stew. This one gives me both. You get chicken soups crockpot style, but also soft gnocchi, creamy broth, and just enough veggies to say you tried.
If you love crockpot soup with chicken that feels like a cozy blanket, or need easy chicken soups to make that do not leave you with a mountain of dishes, save this one. I promise you will make it more than once. It is real mom magic.
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