Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

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This creamy and delicious slow cooker chicken gnocchi soup will warm your soul on a cold winter day. Tender chicken breast, plump gluten free gnocchi with vegetables in a light cream sauce is the perfect easy weeknight meal or lunch option.

Who loves Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup? This recipe has been inspired by this Olive Garden favorite. If you find you need to be gluten free or have a celiac diagnosis then unfortunately, this soup becomes off limits. But don't despair, that is only at the restaurant. With some minor tweaks, we are going to make it gluten free at home. It is so simple to do and you would never know your not eating soup straight from Olive Garden.

In this recipe, I'm going a step further to make it easier and that is making it in the slow cooker. That's right, we can have a flavorful copycat gluten free version done with minimal prep. Trust me here friends, you are going to love it and will totally enjoy this gluten free version.

If you like slow cooker soups like I do, check out my Slow Cooker Bean and Bacon Soup and my Slow Cooker Creamy Sausage and Potato Soup.

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ABOUT THIS SOUP

• Creamy + Cozy: This soup is one of the coziest soups I have ever made. The half and half is the perfect amount to make it creamy but not to heavy. The flavors of the seasoning combined with the chicken, veggies and gnocchi just blend so well together. The gnocchi really soaks it up.

• Made in the Slow Cooker: How much easier can it get? The slow cooker is a lifesaver for any mom and truly anyone working. It is my weeknight go to. I love that I can make this delicious soup in the slow cooker with minimal prep. I have an amazingly flavorful meal on the table in no time.

• Adjustable Ingredients: Many of the ingredients are pantry staples in my house but you can easily change out a few if you don't have them. You can also add in extra vegetables, if you desire.

INGREDIENTS + NOTES

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast- You can use boneless skinless thighs or premade rotisserie chicken.

• Garlic- minced and adds a wonderful fragrant flavor to the soup. We measure this by the heart not by the tablespoon.

• Carrots- peeled and shredded for crunch.

• Celery- chopped and adds an amazing hint of bitter flavor to the soup.

• Gluten Free Gnocchi- prepackaged gluten free gnocchi works the best. Trader Joes' gluten free frozen cauliflower gnocchi will fall apart in the soup. I know, bummer. Please read your labels as a lot of potato gnocchi contains wheat as well so only those labeled gluten free.

• Cornstarch- this will help with thickening up the soup. You can also use arrowroot powder or gluten free one for one flour in place.

• Half and Half- to create that creaminess of the soup. You can use coconut cream if you are wanting to be dairy free. You can also use heavy whipping cream if you want a richer and thicker soup.

• Spinach- just a handful to add in for extra crunch and nutrients.

• Chicken Broth- the base of the soup but also adds such rich flavors. You can also use vegetable broth.

• Salt and Pepper- always measure to taste with soup.

*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full list with measurements.

CHOOSING A GLUTEN FREE GNOCCHI

When choosing a gluten free gnocchi for this recipe you are going to want to use one that is dried and shelf stable. Gnocchi can come prepackaged or frozen. Most gluten free gnocchi is made with potato starch. However, some brands do add in wheat so you must check your labels. Make sure to look and find one that is specifically labeled gluten free.

The reason you want to use a shelf stable brand instead of frozen is that frozen gnocchi just falls apart cooked at the higher temperatures in the slow cooker. At least the Trader Joes brand of gnocchi did. Even with just 20 minutes to cook, it falls apart in the soup mixture. I personally like using Delallo gluten free gnocchi for this recipe. Schar is another brand that makes shelf stable gluten free gnocchi. Cappello makes gluten free gnocchi as well but it is frozen and I haven't tested that brand on this recipe. You can also make your own like this one here.

HOW TO MAKE

Step 1: Peel and shred carrots then chop celery.

Step 2: Add thawed chicken, carrots and celery to slow cooker.

Step 3: Pour the seasonings on top of the chicken, then add in the bone broth. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Step 4: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it. This can be done with two forks or a hand mixer. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker.

Step 5: Add in gnocchi, cornstarch and half and half to the slow cooker. Cook for an additional 20 minutes or until gnocchi is tender.

Step 6: Add in spinach and cook for additional 5 minutes, then serve!

VARIATIONS

Make on the stovetop. To make on the stovetop, cook and shred chicken beforehand. You can also use already cooked shredded chicken. Add the chicken, carrots, celery, seasonings and chicken broth to a large stovetop pot. Cook on medium until carrots and celery are tender. Cook gnocchi according to package instructions, then add gnocchi, half and half and cornstarch to pot. Heat for an additional 20 minutes until gnocchi is soft then add in spinach and cook until wilted.

Make dairy free. Instead of using half and half just use coconut milk to make dairy free.

Add different vegetables. For this soup, anything from mushrooms to zucchini to peas would taste wonderful if you are trying to get more vegetables in your diet.

Use herbs and spices. The garlic and salt and pepper only scratch the surface of what you can add to this soup to make it even more flavorful. Try adding a dash of basil, cilantro or even red pepper flakes to give it a kick.

EXPERT TIPS

• To make a richer soup, use heavy whipping cream or if dairy free use coconut cream. Both creams will make the soup so much more richer and thicker.

• To make a lighter soup, use milk in place of half and half or coconut milk if making dairy free.

• Use prepackaged gnocchi. I believe this is the best because it is shelf stable and will not dissolve in the heat of the slow cooker.

• Use water if you don't have broth. Broth is going to add so much flavor but you can use water in place.

• To make prep easier, use pre-shredded chicken or even a rotisserie chicken for time sake.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is gnocchi?

It is an Italian potato like dumpling. It is is pronounced nyow-kee. Most commercial gnocchi is made with potatoes and wheat flour. However, there are several brands that are made with potatoes and rice flour only making them gluten free.

Is gnocchi gluten free?

Traditionally, no it is not. If you go to Italy it will contain gluten. There are several gluten free brands and you can easily make your own gluten free gnocchi right here.

How do I know that the gnocchi is cooked?

Cut down the middle of a piece to see if it is soft and tender.

STORAGE

• Refrigerate: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Freeze: Let cool, then place in an airtight freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Texture may change since it does have dairy in it but the flavors still should be good.

• Re-heat: Place in stovetop pan over medium heat to desired warmth.

I hope you give this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup a try! If you do give this recipe a try, please let me know!

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