There’s something incredibly satisfying about a bowl of creamy, hearty soup that warms you from the inside out. This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe combines tender chicken, fluffy gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a comforting, velvety broth that literally melts stress away. You’ll love how effortlessly it comes together while filling your kitchen with the most inviting aromas.

A white speckled bowl filled with creamy soup showing three main layers: a thick, pale yellow creamy liquid base with black pepper sprinkled on top, several bright green spinach leaves scattered throughout, and soft potato pieces with a light yellow tone floating inside. Small thin orange carrot strips are mixed among the other ingredients. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl on the right side. In the background, a white bowl with mixed peppercorns sits on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely hooked on this Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe because it’s not just delicious—it’s pure comfort in a bowl with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, making busy weeknights feel like a breeze while still feeling like you poured your heart into the meal.

Effortless Cooking: Toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning and dinner is ready hours later—perfect for busy days.
Rich, Creamy Texture: The heavy cream and gnocchi create that velvety, satisfying mouthfeel you crave on chilly evenings.
Versatile and Adaptable: You can easily swap veggies or seasonings to match your pantry or taste preferences.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters love the pillowy gnocchi and tender chicken, making it a crowd-pleaser.

A white bowl filled with thick creamy soup shows a mix of soft yellow gnocchi, green spinach leaves, small white pieces of chicken, and thin orange carrot strips, all floating in a light cream-colored broth speckled with black pepper; the bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to a small white bowl of mixed black, white, red, and green peppercorns, a piece of torn bread, two shiny silver spoons placed side by side, and a white plate holding two pieces of sesame-covered bread, with a blue striped cloth partly visible on the left side, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this soup plays a part in making it cozy and flavorful. The chicken gives protein and heartiness, while the aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery lay down a savory base. Gnocchi adds that soft, comforting bite that’s a game-changer in soups, and spinach brings freshness to balance the creamy broth.

Flat lay of boneless, skinless chicken breasts with pale pink flesh and smooth skin, half a yellow onion diced into small neat cubes, four cloves of garlic whole and unpeeled with creamy white papery skins, one celery stalk cut into crisp green pieces, a small white ceramic bowl holding finely shredded bright orange carrots, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl containing heavy cream with a smooth, glossy surface, a small white ceramic bowl holding pillowy potato gnocchi pasta, a tight bundle of fresh baby spinach leaves with vibrant deep green color, a single dried bay leaf with muted olive tones, scattered dried basil and Italian seasoning herbs in small delicate piles, a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg powder as warm beige dust, whole uncracked eggs with smooth light brown shells arranged symmetrically, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Versatile and lean, they cook perfectly in the slow cooker without drying out.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth; dice finely for even cooking.
Garlic: Brings that essential savory punch; minced to release its flavor fully.
Celery: Offers aromatic crunch and classic flavor base.
Carrots: Shredded for sweetness and a tender texture that blends seamlessly.
Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid foundation—homemade or a good-quality store-bought one works great.
Dried basil & Italian seasoning: Classic herbs that brighten the soup and give it that Italian flair.
Ground nutmeg: A surprising little touch that enhances creaminess and warmth.
Bay leaf: Adds subtle herbal depth during slow cooking.
Heavy cream: Creates that rich, luscious texture essential to this soup’s character.
Potato gnocchi: The star of the show—soft, pillowy dumplings that soak up the broth beautifully.
Fresh baby spinach: Added last for a pop of color and fresh veggies without overpowering the soup.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch up the veggies depending on the season or what’s in the fridge. Feel free to toss in mushrooms, kale, or even a handful of frozen peas for a pop of green. And if you’re not big on heavy cream, swapping it out for half-and-half or coconut milk can lighten the soup while keeping it creamy.

Variation: Once I tried adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat—it was a lovely surprise that warmed things up even more!
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream; it changes the flavor slightly but keeps it rich and satisfying.
Make it vegetarian: Replace chicken with mushrooms and vegetable broth for a soulful meatless option.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

Step 1: Layer the Flavor Base

Start by placing the chicken breasts right in the slow cooker. Then pile on the diced onion, minced garlic, celery, and shredded carrots. Season everything generously with the dried basil, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, bay leaf, and salt and pepper. I find seasoning early builds a depth of flavor that really makes this soup sing.

Step 2: Pour in Broth & Slow Cook

Pour your chicken broth over the layered ingredients, cover, and let the slow cooker work its magic. I usually set mine on low for 6-8 hours if I’m prepping ahead, but if you’re pressed for time, high for 3-4 hours works well too. The key is tender chicken that pulls apart easily.

Step 3: Shred Chicken & Add Cream + Gnocchi

Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board once cooked and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces—this is my favorite part because you get to peek at how tender it turned out! Discard the bay leaf and toss the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Pour in the heavy cream and add the gnocchi. Cook on high for another 30-45 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and the soup thickens up beautifully.

Step 4: Wilt the Spinach & Final Seasoning

Stir in the fresh baby spinach, cover, and let it sit for a few minutes in the residual heat to gently wilt the greens—no need to overcook here. Taste and adjust seasonings with a bit more salt or pepper if needed, then serve hot. Trust me, the spinach adds such a lovely freshness it really brightens the whole bowl.

Top Tip

Over the time I’ve made this soup, a few little tips have made a world of difference to results. Here’s what I recommend so your Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe comes out perfect every time.

Don’t Overcook the Gnocchi: Add gnocchi only towards the very end; cooking it too long turns them mushy and can spoil the soup’s texture.
Season Early and Taste Later: Start with seasoning when layering but adjust at the end, especially after adding cream, as it can mellow the flavors.
Shred Chicken While Warm: It shreds more easily and helps distribute the flavors better throughout the soup.
Use Fresh Ingredients When Possible: Fresh garlic and herbs make a noticeable difference in soup brightness and aroma.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

chicken gnocchi soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnishes, I’m a big fan of a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil leaves—they add that fresh, vibrant hit right on top. A little grated Parmesan or even a drizzle of good olive oil finishes it off beautifully and gives a bit of savory richness.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I usually serve it with crusty bread or garlic knots for dipping in the creamy broth. A simple mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness nicely too.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I like to serve this soup in bread bowls—it instantly makes it feel extra special and homemade. You can also ladle it into small mason jars for a rustic, portable lunch option. Pair it with a glass of crisp white wine and you have an elegant yet comforting meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they last really well for about 3-4 days. The flavors meld even more overnight, and I love revisiting this soup the next day for an easy lunch or quick dinner.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup twice, but with a tip: freeze it before adding gnocchi or cream. When ready to eat, thaw, add gnocchi and cream fresh, and simmer until hot and thickened. This keeps the gnocchi from turning gummy in the freezer.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low-medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. Adding a splash of broth or milk helps loosen it if it thickened too much in the fridge. Avoid the microwave if you can for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great in this Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe and can even be more forgiving since they’re a bit fattier and stay tender during long cooking times. Just shred them the same way after cooking.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

You can make this recipe on the stovetop by simmering chicken breasts with the veggies and broth in a large pot until the chicken is cooked through, then follow the same steps to shred the chicken and add cream and gnocchi. Just keep an eye on it to prevent sticking or burning.

Can I substitute gluten-free gnocchi?

Yes! Gluten-free gnocchi is a perfect substitute here if you need to avoid gluten. Just make sure to adjust cooking time if needed, as some gluten-free brands cook faster or slower. Watch the texture carefully to avoid overcooking.

How can I make this soup thicker?

If you prefer a thicker soup, you can stir in a slurry made from a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water during the gnocchi cooking phase and cook until thickened. Alternatively, let the soup simmer a bit longer on high with the lid off to reduce and thicken naturally.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is one I come back to time and again when I want a meal that’s both feel-good and fuss-free. It’s like getting a warm hug in a bowl, and I’m confident you’ll find it just as comforting and approachable as I do. Give it a try—you might find it becomes your new favorite slow cooker staple!