Need a delicious and satisfying meal that practically cooks itself? Look no further than this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Crock Pot!
With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker, you can have dinner on the table at the end of a long work day.
This recipe is the perfect solution for those nights when you crave a home-cooked meal but simply don't have the time to make it happen.
Looking for more delicious soup recipes? Check out my other comforting creations!
Imagine this: after a whirlwind day of juggling work, errands, and after-school activities, you walk through the door to the aroma of a warm and comforting meal already simmering away.
No frantic chopping, no last-minute scrambling – just pure, delicious ease. That's the magic of this Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup.
With minimal prep and your trusty slow cooker, you can have a hearty and flavorful dinner ready and waiting, even on the busiest of days.
Looking for more copycat recipes? Try my Panera Mac and Cheese, Homemade Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, and even my Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Donuts. Yum!
Table of Contents
- Crock Pot Soup Made Easy: Tips for Beginners
- Is gnocchi in the pasta aisle?
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Kitchen Tool Spotlight
- Before you Begin!
- Recipe FAQ's
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Prep Ahead Tip
- More Recipes You'll Love!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Crock Pot Soup Made Easy: Tips for Beginners
Crock pots are great for making soups, but there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best results. Here are some tips for making delicious soup in your crock pot:
- Ensure even cooking by cutting ingredients into similar-sized pieces.
- Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and celery should go on the bottom, as they take longer to cook.
- Place meat on top of the vegetables to prevent it from drying out.
- Vegetables like peas, corn, or leafy greens should be added towards the end of the cooking time.
- Make sure all ingredients are covered in enough broth to cook evenly. But remember, crock pots retain moisture, so you'll likely need less liquid than a stovetop recipe. Start with less and add more later if needed.
- Dairy products like milk or cream can curdle if cooked for too long. Pasta can become mushy. Add these ingredients during the last 30 minutes to an hour of cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can make a slurry with cornstarch or flour and water. Some recipes may call for adding a bit of instant mashed potatoes towards the end of cooking to help thicken the soup. I've never tried that, but it sounds like it would work!
Is gnocchi in the pasta aisle?
You can find potato gnocchi in three different areas in your local grocery store:
Pasta Aisle: It's usually near other Italian specialties like couscous or polenta. It comes in a box or bag and has a longer shelf life.
Refrigerated Section: Check the section of fresh pasta or prepared foods. It has a shorter shelf life but is generally considered to have a better texture.
Frozen Food: It's also found near other frozen pasta and convenience meals.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
X Home Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Shredder with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with Strong Suction Base, Easy to Use and Clean, Blue
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or EntertainingReynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 20 CountCutiset 20 Ounce Multicolor Ceramic Soup Bowls with Handles,Ceramic Serving Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal and Stew, Set of 4
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño for a kick.
- Swap out the spinach for kale, escarole, or even roasted vegetables like butternut squash or sweet potatoes.
- Give your holiday leftovers new life! Swap the chicken for leftover turkey, and add it to the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking. For an extra boost of flavor, use turkey broth instead of chicken broth.
- Substitute small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo for the gnocchi.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the chicken, carrots, onion, garlic, butter, and parsley to the slow cooker. Mix the chicken bouillon with the water and add to the other ingredients.
Step 2: Cook the soup on high for 4 hours. Mix the flour with the half and half the pour into the soup. Add in the gnocchi and continue cooking on high for another hour.
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
Thank you "slow cooker" for making dinnertime easy on busy nights! It's such a relief to come home to a warm and delicious meal that's ready to go.
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Step 3: After the hour, stir in the chopped spinach.
Step 4: Cook for 15 more minutes then serve and enjoy!
Before you Begin!
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Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
While pre-cooking gnocchi can help thicken soup and maintain its texture, adding it uncooked is more convenient and allows the gnocchi to absorb the soup's flavors. Ultimately, the choice is yours!
The key to preventing soggy gnocchi in soup is timing. Add the gnocchi towards the very end of the cooking process, just a few minutes before serving, to ensure they cook through without becoming mushy.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken gnocchi soup in the refrigerator, allow it to cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container or sealable plastic bags. Label the container with the date and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: After the soup has cooled, transfer it to freezer-safe containers with at least an inch of headspace. Label the containers with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
Freezing chicken gnocchi soup may slightly change the texture of the gnocchi, but it will still taste delicious.
Thaw and Reheat: Thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to thin it out.
Prep Ahead Tip
Short on time? No problem! Prep this soup ahead of time by combining all the ingredients (except the gnocchi and spinach) in a freezer bag and freezing it.
When you're ready to cook, just thaw the bag and let your slow cooker do the work. Coming home to a hot and delicious meal after a busy day is pure bliss!
More Recipes You'll Love!
Looking for more Family Favorite Crock Pot Recipes? Try my for Sunday Dinner Pot Roast Recipe!
Or you might like this recipe for Gnocchi with Cherry Tomato Puttanesca Sauce.
📖 Recipe Card
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Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup Crock Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup carrots, finely shredded
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
- 4 cups half and half
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 16 ounces ready-to-use gnocchi
- 1 cup spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Place the butter, onion, garlic, parsley, carrots, and chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add the chicken bouillon to the water and mix. Then add the broth to the slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours and the chicken is fully cooked, add the flour to the half and half and mix, then pour the cream mixture into the soup.
- Add the gnocchi and continue to the cook on high for 1 hour.
- After the hour, add the spinach and let cook for 15 more minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
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