Cozy Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Slow Cooker Recipe for Soul-Warming Meals

Comfort arrives with this soul-warming creamy chicken gnocchi slow cooker recipe that promises pure culinary bliss.

Tender chicken nestles among soft, pillowy gnocchi in a rich, velvety sauce that whispers home-cooked perfection.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

slow cooking works its magic, allowing ingredients to meld into a luxurious, hearty meal.

Each spoonful delivers a comforting embrace of creamy goodness that satisfies deep hunger.

Prep takes mere minutes, leaving you free to enjoy the delicious anticipation.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible one-pot wonder.

Why Chicken Gnocchi Slow Cooker Soup Is Creamy Bliss

• Throw ingredients into the slow cooker and let magic happen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Hearty chicken gnocchi dish brings everyone together with its warm, satisfying blend of tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and nutritious vegetables.
• Perfect for busy families, this one-pot wonder requires simple ingredients and delivers delicious results without complicated cooking techniques.
• Easily adapt the recipe by adding bacon, changing vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to match your family's taste preferences.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredient List

• Chicken: Tender meat that forms the heart of this comforting slow cooker dish.

• Carrots, Celery, Onion: Classic aromatic vegetables that provide depth and flavor to the dish.
• Spinach: Fresh green leaves that add nutrition and color to the final meal.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings a bright, fresh note to the recipe.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds rich, savory undertones.
• Pepper Flakes: Spicy element that gives a subtle kick to the dish.
• Bouillon: Concentrated flavor booster that intensifies the overall taste.

• Chicken Stock: Flavorful liquid base that creates the foundation of the sauce.
• Cream: Rich dairy component that adds smoothness and luxurious texture.
• Cornstarch: Thickening agent that helps create a creamy, velvety consistency.

• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that provide a hearty and comforting element to the meal.

• Bacon: Crispy, salty garnish that adds extra flavor and crunch when serving.

Tools for the Best Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Slow Cooker: Essential large appliance for effortless, hands-off cooking.
• Measuring Cups: Precise ingredient portioning for perfect flavor balance.
• Two Forks: Perfect for easy, quick chicken shredding directly in the pot.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing everything smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Useful for mixing cream and cornstarch before adding to the dish.
• Ladle: Helps serve the creamy chicken gnocchi into individual bowls.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions.

Simple Method for Chicken Gnocchi Slow Cooker Soup

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker Base

Toss chicken pieces into your slow cooker.

Add diced carrots, chopped celery, and sliced onions.

Sprinkle fresh parsley and minced garlic for depth of flavor.

Season generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herb blend.

Drop in chicken bouillon for extra richness and red pepper flakes if you want a spicy kick.

Step 2: Initiate Slow Cooking

Pour chicken stock over the ingredients, ensuring everything gets a gentle bath.

Cover the slow cooker and let magic happen – cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or high setting for 4 hours until chicken becomes tender and vegetables soften.

Step 3: Breakdown Chicken

After cooking time completes, use two forks to shred chicken directly inside the slow cooker.

Pull and tear meat into bite-sized, succulent pieces that will mingle beautifully with other ingredients.

Step 4: Introduce Creamy Elements

Whisk heavy cream with cornstarch until smooth.

Pour mixture into slow cooker along with pillowy gnocchi and fresh spinach leaves.

Switch cooker to high and let everything simmer for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to marry and sauce to thicken.

Step 5: Perfect the Consistency

If sauce seems too thin, create a quick cornstarch slurry with cold water.

Stir into mixture to reach desired thickness.

Taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Ladle steaming chicken gnocchi soup into warm bowls.

Sprinkle crispy bacon crumbles on top for extra crunch and flavor.

Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting meal!

Top Tips for Chicken Gnocchi Soup Perfection

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for leaner protein or use chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tenderness.
• Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard for different nutrient profiles and slightly varied taste experiences.
• Look for potato-based or gluten-free gnocchi to make this recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lighter, dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to increase or decrease heat intensity, catering to individual spice tolerance and preference.

Fresh Takes on Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Delight: Swap chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternative, use vegetable stock, and add extra mushrooms for hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Replace traditional gnocchi with gluten-free potato gnocchi, ensure chicken stock is gluten-free certified, and use cornstarch as a thickener.
• Dairy-Free Comfort Bowl: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, use dairy-free bacon bits or nutritional yeast for added flavor complexity.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles, swap parsley with cilantro, include cumin and chili powder for a zesty southwestern-inspired variation.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Serving Inspiration

• Hearty Family Dinner Delight: Serve this creamy chicken gnocchi in large, deep bowls to showcase its rich texture and warmth.
• Comfort Meal Companion: Pair with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness and add fresh contrast.
• Cheese Lover's Touch: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or sharp pecorino romano on top for an extra layer of savory flavor and creamy complexity.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Offer crusty sourdough or garlic bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the meal's comfort factor.

The Best Way to Store Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the gnocchi and chicken separate from any crispy toppings like bacon.
• Carefully place cooled chicken and gnocchi mixture in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months, avoiding storing with fresh spinach or cream-based ingredients.
• Place desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the gnocchi from becoming mushy?

Add the gnocchi only in the last 30-45 minutes of cooking to keep them perfectly tender and prevent them from becoming soggy or falling apart.

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

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

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Use gluten-free gnocchi and confirm all ingredients are gluten-free to make the dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

• What can I substitute for spinach?

You can replace spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or frozen mixed vegetables if you prefer a different green or want to change up the recipe.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Slow Cooker Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Homemade creamy chicken gnocchi slow cooker recipe brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables. Parmesan-infused sauce and tender chicken create a hearty meal you’ll crave all week long.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 pound (454 grams) potato gnocchi

Vegetables:

• 3–4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1–2 stalks celery, chopped
• 0.5 medium yellow or white onion, chopped
• 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups baby spinach

Seasonings & Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon chicken base (optional)
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 cups (960 milliliters) low-sodium chicken stock
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) cream or half and half
• 1–2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the slow cooker by layering raw chicken pieces, diced carrots, chopped celery, and minced onions. Sprinkle fresh parsley, minced garlic, and selected seasonings throughout the base. Add chicken bouillon and optional red pepper flakes for enhanced flavor complexity.
2. Pour chicken stock carefully into the slow cooker, gently stirring ingredients to distribute evenly. Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
3. After cooking duration, use two forks to carefully shred chicken directly within the slow cooker, ensuring meat is uniformly pulled apart and mixed with vegetables.
4. Whisk cream with cornstarch until smooth, creating a thickening agent. Pour mixture into slow cooker, then add uncooked gnocchi and fresh spinach leaves. Continue cooking on high heat for 30-45 minutes until gnocchi becomes soft and sauce thickens.
5. If additional thickening is desired, create a quick slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water. Stir into the mixture and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed for optimal flavor profile.
6. Carefully ladle the creamy chicken gnocchi into serving bowls. Optional: Garnish with crispy crumbled bacon for added texture and richness.

Notes

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easy shredding in the slow cooker.
• Substitute regular gnocchi with gluten-free versions for those with wheat sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy.
• Use fresh spinach instead of frozen for a brighter color and fresher taste in the final dish.
• If you’re watching sodium intake, opt for low-sodium chicken broth and reduce additional salt added to the recipe.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding a dash of hot sauce for extra kick.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain gnocchi’s soft texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg