Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe

This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup captures the warm, creamy flavors of Olive Garden’s classic. It’s simple to prepare—just a few minutes of prep, then let the slow cooker do the work. Serve with store-bought garlic breadsticks for an easy, comforting meal that’s perfect on chilly days. This recipe is family-friendly and quick enough to add to your regular dinner rotation.

You will need:

1 ½–2 lbs chicken breast

3 ½ cups chicken broth

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 (16 oz) package gnocchi (shelf-stable, found in the pasta aisle)

½ tsp dried basil

¼ tsp dried oregano

¼ tsp ground nutmeg (this adds a subtle warmth—don’t skip it)

1 ½ cups half-and-half

2 carrots, grated

½ yellow onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Directions for Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup:

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker and sprinkle with the dried basil and oregano.

2. Dice the onion, slice the celery, mince the garlic and grate the carrots. Place them over the chicken.

3. Mix the chicken broth with the ground nutmeg, then pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker.

4. Cook on high for 4 hours (alternatively, cook on low for 7–8 hours).

5. Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

6. Stir in the half-and-half and add the gnocchi. Cook on high for another hour. If you prefer a thicker soup, whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 ½ tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 ½ tbsp half-and-half) until smooth and add it now—mix thoroughly to avoid clumps. Another option is to transfer the soup to a pot at the end and thicken on the stovetop.

7. Chop the spinach and stir it into the soup just before serving, allowing it to wilt.

8. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, ideally with warm garlic breadsticks or crusty bread.

This comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is creamy, flavorful, and easy to make. The nutmeg adds a subtle depth that elevates the overall taste—be sure to include it. Families love this as a hearty weeknight meal or a warming weekend dinner.

Recipe summary:

• Yield: about 10 servings
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: approximately 5 hours total

Yield: 10 servings

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Easy Olive Garden Copycat Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
5 hours

Total Time
5 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½–2 lbs chicken breast
• 3 ½ cups chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 (16 oz) package gnocchi
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ cups half-and-half
• 2 carrots, grated
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch (optional)

Instructions

1. Place chicken in the slow cooker and sprinkle with basil and oregano.
2. Dice the onion, slice the celery, mince the garlic and grate the carrots.
3. Layer the vegetables over the chicken.
4. Combine chicken broth and nutmeg, then pour over the chicken and vegetables.
5. Cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 7–8 hours).
6. Remove and shred the chicken, then return it to the slow cooker.
7. Add half-and-half and gnocchi. Cook on high for 1 more hour. To thicken, stir in a smooth cornstarch slurry (1 ½ tbsp cornstarch + 1 ½ tbsp half-and-half) or thicken on the stovetop after transferring the soup to a pot.
8. Chop and stir in the spinach just before serving so it wilts.
9. Adjust seasonings to taste and serve hot.