Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, chopped or whole
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 cups carrots, chopped
- 2 cups celery, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
Base & Dairy
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Carbohydrates
- 1 pound potato gnocchi (fresh preferred)
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep and Layer Ingredients: Place chopped carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic in the bottom of your crockpot to form a flavorful vegetable base. Add the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables, then pour in chicken broth, ensuring ingredients are submerged.
- Slow Cook to Tender Perfection: Set the crockpot to low heat and cook for 6-7 hours or use high heat for 3-4 hours. This slow simmer cooks the chicken thoroughly and softens the vegetables, allowing flavors to meld.
- Add Gnocchi and Greens: About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the potato gnocchi and fresh spinach or kale. The gnocchi will cook and soften quickly while the greens wilt without losing their vibrant color.
- Stir in Cream and Final Seasoning: Add heavy cream or half-and-half to the soup, then season with salt, pepper, and dried herbs like thyme and basil. Stir gently to combine and allow the soup to warm through, creating a smooth, creamy texture ready to serve.
Notes
- Use fresh gnocchi for the best texture, adding it near the end of cooking to avoid mushiness.
- Place chicken evenly in the crockpot to ensure consistent cooking.
- Adjust the cream to broth ratio to achieve your preferred richness without overpowering the soup.
- For deeper flavor, sauté garlic and onions before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Store gnocchi separately if refrigerating leftovers to prevent it from absorbing too much broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (substitute gluten-free gnocchi)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: crockpot soup, chicken gnocchi soup, creamy chicken soup, slow cooker recipes, comfort food, easy dinner