Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

I’m super glad to see you, sitting there in my crockpot, all creamy and delicious.

I will now put on my best sweatpants, my thickest socks, and get out my deepest bowl so I can experience the best of the end of this cozy season with you right here on my couch. Let’s do this.

Why This Gnocchi Soup Is So Good

This is a re-make of an old recipe that was inspired by a friend and what I love about this soup is, well, there are several things.

1. It is wildly similar to the genius and ever-popular gnocchi soup from Olive Garden.
2. It reminds me a little bit of the chicken wild rice soup in that we just start pretty basic with carrots, celery, onions, chicken, spices, and broth in a crockpot. And you know how I love me some chicken wild rice soup slash any soup in a crockpot. Minnesota represent!
3. Unlike the wild rice soup, this chicken gnocchi soup is made thick by evaporated milk and a quick cornstarch slurry. So if you’re looking for thick and creamy soup while avoiding the butter/flour/cream route of a roux base, this is your magic. ✨
4. GNOCCHI. Those tiny dumplings of happy feelings that are mixed in throughout the chicken gnocchi soup make the whole thing come together. Every time I make this soup, Bjork a) raves, and b) talks for at least 5 minutes about how much he loves “the dumplings.” I could almost actually call this Chicken and Dumpling soup except the Chicken and Dumpling soup of my youth (a Herman’s bakery special in Cambridge, MN) had approximately zero vegetables and was practically untouchable in its level of homey perfection, so I will not go there. Let’s just give ourselves a pat on the back for the carrots, celery, and sautéed garlic spinach that are present at this soup party. And the bacon. I always invite the bacon.

How Do You Make Gnocchi?

To me, crockpot chicken gnocchi soup means something that can be quickly and easily tossed together and tastes best when using good, quality ingredients.

If I don’t just *happen* to have some fresh homemade gnocchi laying around (which hello, like, NEVER HAPPENS, because homemade gnocchi disappears in five seconds flat around here), then store-bought gnocchi it is. Those savory fluffy little bites of airy perfection cook up just right when stirred in at the end of cook time for this soup.

Other Ingredients You’ll Need For This Soup

We’ve already covered the ever-convenient storebought gnocchi, but here’s what else you need to make this soup happen:

• Chicken
• Mirepoix (carrots, celery, onion)
• Seasonings
• Chicken broth
• Evaporated milk (trust me)
• Garlic
• Spinach
• And BACON (yes, yes, yes)

How To Make Chicken Gnocchi Soup

There are only three steps here. THREE. You can do this.

1. Add it all to the crockpot: Place the chicken, mirepoix, basil, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and chicken broth in a crockpot or slow cooker to cook. You’ll even shred your chicken right in the crockpot after cooking.
2. Thicken the soup: Add the evaporated milk, cornstarch, and gnocchi, and stir. This is how you’ll cook your gnocchi – no extra pot needed!
3. Crisp up your bacon: The BEST PART. Crisp it up, then add the spinach and garlic, and add it to the soup. Stir it all up and your done.

So easy, so good. Serve it with a delicious little green salad and you’re in dinner business.