Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil ((stove top method only)); 6 chicken tenders (or 2 large chicken breasts); 1 onion (, finely diced); 3 celery sticks (, finely diced); 3 carrots (, diced); 4 cups (960ml) chicken broth (or stock made using stockpot / stock cube); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp mustard powder; ½ tsp celery salt (, optional); ½ ground black pepper (, plus more to serve); pinch red pepper flakes; 16 oz (450g) potato gnocchi (, I used Rummo Gnocchi Di Patate No. 117); ½ cup (120ml) cream (or half and half / evaporated milk); 7 cups (200g) fresh spinach (loosely packed, then chopped); 10 cherry tomatoes (, diced); 2 tsp cornstarch ((= cornflour), diluted in 1 tbsp cold water); 3 tbsp grated Parmesan ((optional)); small bunch flat leaf parsley (, finely chopped); handful fresh basil leaves (, chopped)

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Prepare to fall in love with this creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup! This hearty and delicious soup, of Olive Garden fame, is so easy to make in your crock pot or the stove top. Perfect for cold winter days or whenever you crave a…

Serves 4

Prep 5 minutes

Cook 3 hours

Total 3 hours

Jump to the recipe

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Ever fall in love with a recipe on a restaurant visit and wish you could recreate it at home? I can only dream of Olive Garden’s famous Chicken Gnocchi soup and the equally delicious Zuppa Toscana soup. Why? Because Olive Garden hasn’t quite made its way over to London yet.

Luckily you can make a copycat Chicken Gnocchi soup in the comfort of your own home, just follow my easy recipe! You can simmer the soup on the stove or make it your slow cooker and you know me, I always opt for the easier option.

What Is Gnocchi?

Gnocchi have become more and more popular, judging by the varieties available to buy in most grocery stores.

Gnocchi are a type of dumpling usually made with potatoes, flour and eggs. They have a soft and doughy texture that pairs well with a variety of different sauces (you will want to try my Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi recipe!)

Chicken Gnocchi Soup Ingredients

In this recipe we will be using store-bought potato gnocchi in an Italian-inspired chicken soup. Here’s what we will need:

Chicken tenders or skinless and boneless chicken thighs
Onions, carrots and celery
Chicken broth or chicken stock
Flat leaf parsley and basil
Spinach
Tomatoes
Cream , half and half or evaporated milk
Potato gnocchi
Salt, pepper, celery salt, red pepper flakes and mustard powder
Cornstarch (cornflour) to thicken the soup (optional)

ingredients for Olive Garden copycat chicken soup with gnocchi

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

↓ For the full ingredients and detailed method, jump to the recipe card.

Add the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, salt and seasoning into your slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on the LOW setting for 5 hours. So easy, no browning required!

process shot making chicken gnocchi soup in a slow cooker

Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken onto a plate and slice or shred it. Add the gnocchi and cream into the soup then stir in the chicken back in. Cook on the HIGH setting for 15-20 minutes, or until the gnocchi is tender.

slow cooker chicken soup with gnocchi, process shot

Stir in the chopped spinach, tomatoes and half the herbs. Add the cornstarch slurry and cook for a couple of minutes. Stir in the grated Parmesan, if using.Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Portion the soup into bowls, top with the remaining herbs, accompany with a piece of focaccia bread and prepare to be mesmerized!

close up on a ornate ladle in a pot of chicken gnocchi soup

Recipe Notes and FAQs

You can use leftover roast chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken if you like.
The gnocchi cooks fairly quickly, even in a slow cooker. Test the gnocchi after 5 minutes and continue simmering until they are cooked to your liking.
Chicken gnocchi soup is best eaten fresh. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days, but the gnocchi will get a bit mushy. You can always add them later when reheating because they cook in just two minutes!
You can increase the amount of cream in the recipe if preferred.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup on the Stove Top

Heat a little olive oil in a large pot and sauté the vegetables for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chicken, seasonings and broth and bring to a simmer. Bear in mind you will need to add extra chicken broth to the stove top version of this recipe.

Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken using a slotted spoon, dice it, then add back into the broth.

Add the gnocchi and cook for 2-5 minutes, depending on pack instructions. Stir in the cream, spinach, tomatoes and herbs at the end. Taste the seasoning and serve!

overhead photo of pot of chicken gnocchi soup with two bowl servings on the side

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