Description

This Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a hearty and comforting slow cooker soup packed with tender shredded chicken, flavorful mirepoix, creamy evaporated milk, soft gnocchi, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach. Perfect for a cozy meal, it combines classic Italian herbs and easy-to-prepare ingredients for a rich and delicious dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups mirepoix (chopped onions, celery, and carrots)
1–2 teaspoons dried basil
1–2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups chicken broth

Thickening & Creaminess

3 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
Two 12-ounce cans evaporated milk

Main Ingredients

Two 1 lb. packages gnocchi (about 4 cups)
6 slices bacon
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh baby spinach

Instructions

Prepare the Soup Base: Place the chicken breasts, mirepoix mixture, dried basil, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and chicken broth into a crockpot or slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Once done, shred the chicken directly inside the crockpot using two forks.
Add Thickener, Milk, and Gnocchi: Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then add it to the crockpot along with the evaporated milk and gnocchi. Stir well to combine. Replace the lid and continue cooking for another 45 minutes to 1 hour until the soup thickens and the gnocchi becomes soft and tender.
Cook Bacon, Garlic, and Spinach: Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces and fry them in a pan until crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease. Leave a small amount of bacon grease in the pan and sauté the minced garlic for about one minute until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted. Remove from heat.
Combine and Season: Add the cooked bacon and the sautéed garlic-spinach mixture into the crockpot and stir to incorporate evenly. If the soup becomes too thick, add additional liquid such as water (about 1 cup) to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.

Notes

You can substitute fresh spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green flavor.
To make this recipe dairy-free, replace evaporated milk with coconut milk, but expect a slightly different flavor.
If you prefer a thicker soup, increase the cornstarch slurry quantities slightly.
Gnocchi can be substituted with small pasta like mini shells or orecchiette if desired.
For lower sodium, use low-sodium chicken broth and adjust salt accordingly.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: chicken gnocchi soup, crockpot chicken soup, slow cooker soup, creamy chicken soup, easy comfort food, one pot soup, gnocchi recipe