Description
This Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and pillowy gnocchi come together in a flavorful broth enriched with evaporated milk, all slow-cooked for an effortlessly delicious soup.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, diced (about 1 lb)
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups chicken broth
Thickener and Dairy
- 12 ounces evaporated milk (or half-and-half)
- 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
Pasta and Greens
- 12 to 16 ounces gnocchi (shelf stable)
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Soften Onion: Optional step: In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and soften the diced onion for about 3 minutes to mellow the flavor before adding it to the cooker.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the softened onion to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Layer in the chicken breasts, diced potatoes, chopped carrots, diced celery, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, dried basil, and salt.
- Add Broth and Cook: Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients, cover the slow cooker, and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully transfer the cooked chicken breasts using tongs to a bowl and shred the meat using two forks.
- Mix Thickener and Add Final Ingredients: Whisk the cornstarch into the evaporated milk until smooth, then add this mixture to the slow cooker along with the shredded chicken and uncooked gnocchi.
- Cook Gnocchi and Add Spinach: Increase the slow cooker to high and cook for 1 hour or until the gnocchi is tender. Stir in fresh spinach and let the soup rest for 5 minutes to wilt the greens.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- Using evaporated milk adds creaminess without extra fat – half-and-half can be used for a richer soup.
- Soften the onions before slow cooking to develop deeper flavor, but this step can be skipped for convenience.
- Fresh spinach is optional but adds a nice pop of color and nutrients.
- Adjust cooking times based on your slow cooker model; always ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
- For a thicker soup, increase cornstarch slightly or reduce the broth quantity.
