There's something incredibly cozy about a bowl of creamy, hearty soup bubbling gently while your day unfolds. This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is just that—a rich blend of tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach, all cooked low and slow for maximum flavor and comfort.

A white speckled bowl filled with a creamy off-white soup that has a thick texture. Inside the soup, there are several yellow gnocchi pieces, bright green spinach leaves, small orange carrot strips, and white pieces of chicken evenly spread throughout. The soup is topped with a light sprinkle of black pepper and red flakes. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, with a silver spoon resting on the edge of the bowl and a smaller white bowl filled with multicolored peppercorns slightly visible in the background. 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 remember making this Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe on a chilly Sunday afternoon, and how the whole house smelled like a warm Italian kitchen by dinner time. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a hug in a bowl—and what’s not to love about that?

Effortless Comfort: Toss everything into the slow cooker and come back hours later to a soul-warming meal with minimal hands-on time.
Pillowy Gnocchi: The potato gnocchi adds a soft texture that turns this soup into something really special—more than just your average chicken soup.
Creamy and Flavorful: The blend of cream, herbs, and tender veggies creates a rich taste that’s deeply satisfying without being overwhelming.
Customizable and Nutritious: You can easily swap ingredients or add your favorites, plus it’s packed with protein, greens, and veggies for a filling meal.

A white bowl filled with creamy soup showing several layers: a thick white broth with a smooth texture forms the base layer, with visible pieces of small yellow potato gnocchi scattered throughout. There are green spinach leaves placed evenly inside the soup, adding patches of dark green color. Thin orange carrot strips and small pieces of white meat are mixed in the soup, creating a colorful mix on the creamy surface. The bowl has a speckled brown rim, sitting on a white marbled surface. Nearby is a piece of white bread with a rough texture, and two clean silver spoons rest beside the bowl. Above the bowl, a white bowl contains a variety of black, pink, and white whole peppercorns. A white plate with two pieces of sesame seed-covered bread is on the upper left, accompanied by a folded blue striped napkin on the left side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that blend beautifully. Each element plays a part—from the sweetness of carrots to the aromatic herbs—making the final soup wonderfully balanced and hearty.

Flat lay of a raw boneless skinless chicken breast, half a yellow onion diced, four whole garlic cloves unpeeled, one celery stalk diced, a small pile of shredded carrots, a small white bowl of golden chicken broth, a small white bowl of dried Italian seasoning and basil mixed, a single bay leaf, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small mound of fresh potato gnocchi, and a tight bundle of fresh baby spinach leaves, placed 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: Chicken cooks tender in the slow cooker and takes on all those lovely broth flavors.
Yellow Onion: Adds a gentle sweetness and depth when it simmers low and slow.
Garlic: Always a must for that savory warmth and fragrance.
Celery: Provides subtle earthiness and crunch that softens during cooking.
Carrots (shredded): They melt into the soup, boosting color and a touch of sweetness.
Chicken Broth: The rich liquid base that carries all the flavors—homemade or quality store-bought works well.
Dried Basil, Italian Seasoning & Nutmeg: The herb trio elevates the flavor, while nutmeg adds a surprising, gentle warmth.
Bay Leaf: A slow-cooker classic to deepen the broth’s complexity—just don’t forget to remove it!
Heavy Cream: Creaminess that makes the soup velvety and luxurious.
Potato Gnocchi: Soft, pillowy bites that soak up the soup’s flavors and bring texture.
Fresh Baby Spinach: Added at the end for a pop of color, nutrients, and just-wilted freshness.

📝

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 putting my own spin on this soup depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. You can easily add mushrooms, swap gnocchi for tortellini, or go lighter with half-and-half instead of heavy cream. It’s super flexible!

Variation: One time, I added a handful of sun-dried tomatoes for a little tangy twist, and it gave the soup a nice, unexpected dimension. You might want to try that too!

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

Step 1: Layer the Basics

I start by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of my slow cooker, then piling the diced onions, minced garlic, celery, and shredded carrots right on top. Season everything well with the dried basil, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, bay leaf, salt, and pepper—this is where the magic begins.

Step 2: Pour in Broth and Slow Cook

Add the chicken broth, making sure it covers the ingredients. Then, cover and set it to cook—either on high for 3 to 4 hours if you're in a hurry or on low for 6 to 8 hours if you want to set it and forget it.

Step 3: Shred Chicken and Add Cream + Gnocchi

When the slow cooker time is up, carefully remove the chicken and shred it into bite-sized pieces (a couple of forks make this easy). Toss the bay leaf, then add back the chicken along with the heavy cream and potato gnocchi. Cook on high for another 30 to 45 minutes until the gnocchi is tender and the soup thickens slightly.

Step 4: Wilt The Spinach and Season

Finally, toss in the fresh baby spinach, cover the slow cooker, and let the residual heat wilt it in just a few minutes. Give the soup a taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.

Top Tip

Through my many slow cooker adventures, I’ve learned that layering flavors early and controlling the timing for adding cream and gnocchi makes all the difference in this soup's texture and taste.

Layer Flavors Wisely: Don’t skip seasoning at the start; it helps the chicken and veggies absorb more depth as they cook slowly.
Shred Chicken Carefully: Removing the chicken to shred prevents overcooking and keeps gnocchi from turning mushy.
Add Gnocchi Last: Adding it in the last 30-45 minutes ensures it cooks perfectly and doesn’t fall apart.
Wilt Spinach Off Heat: Let the soup’s residual warmth do the job so spinach stays tender and vibrant instead of turning soggy.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

chicken gnocchi soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan and a little cracked black pepper on top for that extra savory kick. A few torn basil leaves or a drizzle of good olive oil can also brighten it up and make it feel special.

Side Dishes

Crusty garlic bread or a crisp green salad are my go-to sides. The bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy broth, while the salad adds a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served the soup in mini bread bowls—it’s fun and unexpected, plus everyone loves being able to eat the bowl at the end!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I pour leftovers into airtight containers and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the soup taste even better the next day.

Freezing

While I recommend fresh for the best texture, I’ve frozen this soup with success by leaving out the spinach and adding it fresh after reheating. Just thaw overnight and warm gently on the stove.

Reheating

Reheat on low in a saucepan, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking. If the soup thickens too much, just stir in a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option—they’re juicier and will shred beautifully in the slow cooker, adding even more flavor and richness to the soup.

How do I prevent gnocchi from getting mushy?

Add the gnocchi towards the end of the cooking process and only cook until tender—usually 30 to 45 minutes. Overcooking gnocchi in the slow cooker can make it fall apart quickly.

Can I make this soup dairy-free?

You can swap the heavy cream for a coconut milk or cashew cream alternative for a dairy-free version, although the flavor will be a bit different but still delicious and creamy.

Is it okay to cook the soup on high vs. low?

Yes, you can cook on high if you're short on time (3-4 hours) or on low for a longer period (6-8 hours). Just avoid opening the lid too often to keep the cooking temperature steady.

Final Thoughts

To me, this Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is the perfect blend of cozy and easy. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend, it always feels like a treat that’s well worth the little effort. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes that turns into a family favorite fast.