Dinner

Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Olive Garden Copycat) Recipe

Bylina Carter February 7, 2026February 7, 2026

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a creamy, comforting dish inspired by Olive Garden’s popular recipe. It combines tender chicken, soft gnocchi, and fresh spinach in a flavorful broth that’s perfect for cozy dinners made easy in your slow cooker.

The image shows a white bowl filled with creamy white soup with visible layers: the base creamy broth, shredded white chicken meat, thin orange carrot strips, bright green spinach leaves, and pale yellow gnocchi pieces scattered on top. A spoon lifts a portion of the soup, showing a mix of these ingredients with shredded white cheese resting on top. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and in the background, there is another white bowl with the same soup and two golden-yellow breadsticks resting on the edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (approx. 3 chicken breasts)
2 cups matchstick carrots

1 cup diced onion
2 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced
3 ½ tablespoons Italian seasoning

4 cups chicken stock
1 pound potato gnocchi
2 cups heavy cream

2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 ½ cups shredded Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Add the chicken breasts, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken stock to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Step 2: Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
Step 3: About 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Stir in the gnocchi and heavy cream, cover, and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 5: Just before serving, add the spinach and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the spinach is wilted and the cheese is melted.
Step 6: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra depth, sauté the onions, garlic, and celery before adding to the slow cooker.
Substitute kale or Swiss chard for spinach if preferred.
Use store-bought shredded rotisserie chicken to save time.

For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent the cream from separating. Avoid freezing, as the cream and gnocchi may change texture.

How to Serve

The image shows a black slow cooker filled with a creamy white soup that has visible layers of ingredients. The top layer includes bright green spinach leaves, thin orange carrot strips, and some whole cloves of garlic spread across the creamy white broth. Underneath, there are small pieces of shredded chicken and bits of celery, mixed throughout the creamy texture. Around the slow cooker on the white marbled surface, there is a white basket holding several golden brown breadsticks, a white bowl with shredded cheese, and clear salt and pepper shakers. A light beige ladle is placed next to the cooker, and a mint green cloth is partly visible at the bottom left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare the soup on the stovetop by simmering the chicken and vegetables in the chicken stock until the chicken is cooked through, then adding the gnocchi, cream, spinach, and cheese in the final steps.