Description
Cozy Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup delivers hearty Italian-inspired comfort in one simple recipe. Creamy broth, tender chicken, and pillowy gnocchi combine for a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 4 cups (960 ml) chicken broth
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 ml) spinach, chopped
- 1 cup (240 ml) shredded carrots
- 1 16 oz (454 g) package potato gnocchi
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup (120 ml) chopped celery
- 2 tbsps cornstarch
- 2 tbsps water
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Grated Parmesan (optional)
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Base: Layer chicken, onions, garlic, carrots, celery, thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in the crockpot, creating a robust foundation for the soup.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and even distribution throughout the cooking vessel.
- Slow Transformation: Configure the crockpot to low temperature for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and chicken to become supremely tender.
- Meat Preparation: Remove chicken, shred into delicate fragments using two forks, then reintroduce to the simmering broth.
- Creamy Enhancement: Gently incorporate gnocchi and half-and-half, stirring carefully to prevent clumping and create a velvety texture.
- Final Touches: Continue cooking for 30-45 minutes, enabling gnocchi to absorb flavors and spinach to wilt naturally, adding vibrant color and nutrients.
- Texture Adjustment: If desired, create a cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup, stirring briefly until reaching optimal consistency.
- Presentation: Ladle into warm bowls, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley for an elegant culinary finish.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Texture: Trim any excess fat from chicken breasts before adding to crockpot to prevent greasy soup and ensure lean, tender meat.
- Prevent Gnocchi Mushiness: Add gnocchi during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking to maintain their delicate texture and prevent them from becoming overly soft or disintegrating.
- Control Soup Consistency: Use cornstarch slurry sparingly – start with 1 tablespoon mixed with cold water and gradually incorporate to avoid over-thickening the soup’s creamy base.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast dried herbs like thyme and Italian seasoning in a dry pan for 30-60 seconds before adding to the crockpot to intensify their aromatic qualities and boost overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg