Description
This Crock Pot Italian Style Gnocchi Soup is a hearty, creamy, and comforting dish perfect for cozy family meals. Featuring tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, fresh spinach, and a blend of Italian herbs simmered to perfection in a slow cooker, this soup combines rich flavors with effortless preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Proteins & Dairy
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (16 oz) package potato gnocchi
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant to build the soup’s flavor base.
- Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the crock pot. Add dried basil, oregano, thyme, optional crushed red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, diced tomatoes with their juice, chicken broth, and chicken breasts. Stir to combine everything evenly.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the crock pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the crock pot.
- Add Gnocchi and Greens: Stir in the potato gnocchi, chopped spinach, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
- Finish Cooking: Cook on high for an additional 30 minutes, until the gnocchi is tender and the soup is creamy and heated through.
- Serve: Stir well before serving to combine all flavors evenly. Enjoy warm as a comforting Italian-style soup.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken with Italian sausage for added flavor and richness.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to reduce fat without losing creaminess.
- Add more spinach or kale for extra greens and nutrition.
- If you prefer less heat, omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Gnocchi should be added near the end to prevent overcooking and becoming mushy.
