Cozy Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup: Your New Favorite Comfort Food

Picture this: it’s a chilly evening, the kind where all you want is a cozy sweater, fluffy socks, and a big bowl of something warm and hearty. Enter Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup, the ultimate hug-in-a-bowl that practically cooks itself. Perfect for busy moms, work-from-home warriors, and anyone who secretly wishes dinner could just magically appear. (No judgment — we’ve all been there!)

This Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is creamy without heavy cream, thanks to a smart swap with evaporated milk. It’s brimming with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, savory bacon, and bright pops of spinach. Best part? It cooks low and slow while you’re out conquering the world (or at least your to-do list). Whether you’re wrangling kids, commuting, or just binge-watching your favorite show, this recipe has your back.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

  • Set It and Forget It: Thanks to your slow cooker, dinner practically makes itself.
  • Creamy, Yet Light: Using evaporated milk means you get all the creamy goodness without feeling weighed down.
  • Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will slurp this up!
  • Perfect for Leftovers: It tastes even better the next day — if you have any left, that is.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups mirepoix (chopped onions, celery, carrots)
  • 1-2 tsp dried basil
  • 1-2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water
  • Two 12-oz cans of evaporated milk
  • About 4 cups of gnocchi
  • 6 slices of bacon
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi

  1. Load the Crockpot: Place chicken breasts, mirepoix, basil, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and chicken broth in the crockpot.
  2. Let It Cook: Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or low for 6-8 hours until chicken is fork-tender.
  3. Shred That Chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken right in the pot — easy peasy!
  4. Make It Creamy: Stir in the cornstarch mixture and evaporated milk.
  5. Gnocchi Time: Add the gnocchi, cover, and cook another 45 minutes to 1 hour, until thickened.
  6. Bacon & Spinach Magic: While the gnocchi cooks, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove most of the grease, sauté the garlic until fragrant, then wilt the spinach.
  7. Mix It In: Stir the bacon-spinach mixture into the crockpot.
  8. Taste & Adjust: Add extra salt, pepper, or a splash of water if it’s too thick.

Tips for the Best Easy Gnocchi Soup

  • Don’t overcook the gnocchi: They should be tender, not mushy.
  • Use pre-chopped mirepoix: Save time (and your sanity) by grabbing a container from the produce section.
  • Thick or thin?: If you like a thinner soup, add an extra splash of chicken broth or water toward the end.
  • Bacon bits hack: In a real pinch? Store-bought bacon bits can save the day (just don’t tell Nonna!).

A Little Backstory…

I first stumbled upon this slow cooker chicken gnocchi recipe during a chaotic week where everything seemed to go sideways—work deadlines, school events, and a dog who thought chasing squirrels at 6 AM was “fun.” I needed something foolproof but still nourishing. One magical spoonful of this Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup later, and it instantly became a staple in my house. Even my kids asked for seconds, which, trust me, is rarer than a unicorn sighting!

What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

This soup is hearty enough to shine solo, but if you want to round out the meal, here are a few ideas:

How to Store and Reheat

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Not ideal since the gnocchi can get a little funky after freezing, but you can freeze before adding gnocchi if you’re meal prepping.
  • Reheating: Gently reheat on the stove over medium heat. Add a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick.

Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Sou

FAQs About Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Can I substitute the chicken? Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works if you’re in a super rush. Turkey is great too, especially after the holidays.

Can I make a cream-free chicken soup version? You bet. Simply replace the evaporated milk with more chicken broth and a squeeze of lemon for a lighter take.

Is this really an easy gnocchi soup? Yes! Aside from a quick bacon and spinach sauté, it’s practically a dump-and-go recipe.

Where can I find gnocchi? Look near the pasta aisle or sometimes in the refrigerated section at your local grocery store.

For more comforting slow cooker dishes, don’t miss my Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew!

One Last Scoop…

If you’re craving a meal that’s cozy, satisfying, and effortless, Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is calling your name. It’s the kind of dish that wraps you in a blanket of comfort with every spoonful. Plus, knowing it’s a healthier cream-free chicken soup option just sweetens the deal. So go ahead, dust off that slow cooker, and treat yourself to this easy gnocchi soup tonight. You deserve it!

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Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Sou

Cozy Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup: Your New Favorite Comfort Food


  • Author: Olivia Hartwellen
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings 1x

Description

This Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is rich, hearty, and surprisingly cream-free. Packed with tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach, it’s a comforting meal ideal for chilly days. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with a cozy soup that’s perfect for pairing with a crusty bread and a fresh green salad.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 450 g boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
  • 480 ml mirepoix (chopped onions, celery, and carrots) (2 cups)
  • 12 teaspoons dried basil
  • 12 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 950 ml chicken broth (4 cups)
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
  • Two 355 ml cans evaporated milk (two 12 oz cans)
  • Two 450 g packages gnocchi (about 4 cups)
  • 6 slices bacon
  • 23 cloves garlic, minced
  • 120 g fresh baby spinach (2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts, mirepoix, dried basil, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and chicken broth into a crockpot or slow cooker.
  2. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours until the chicken is tender.
  3. Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks.
  4. Add the cornstarch mixture and evaporated milk, then stir to combine.
  5. Stir in the gnocchi and cover again. Cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the soup thickens and the gnocchi become tender.
  6. Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces and fry in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  7. Wipe out most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving a little for flavor.
  8. Saute the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  9. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, then remove from the heat.
  10. Stir the cooked bacon and spinach mixture into the crockpot.
  11. If the soup becomes too thick, add up to 240 ml (1 cup) of water.
  12. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

Add water as needed if the soup becomes too thick.

Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.

Fresh herbs can replace dried ones for a brighter flavor.

Adjust seasoning according to taste preferences.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours 55 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup, Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi, Cream-Free Chicken Soup, Easy Gnocchi Soup

 

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