Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

📝Shopping list

To make this easy weeknight meal, you will need these simple ingredients: 

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• onion
• carrots 
• celery 
• garlic
• dried thyme
• dried basil
• salt 
• pepper 
• chicken broth
• full-fat coconut milk - (or alternative listed below)
• potato gnocchi
• baby spinach
• parmesan cheese - optional garnish
• fresh basil - optional garnish

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. While this is a less important step when making a creamy soup than other recipes, I still recommend it.  

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check the manual for your slow cooker if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner when making this comforting soup.   

Get Cooking

• 🥣 Place chicken into the bottom of a greased slow cooker
• 🥣Add in all veggies (other than spinach), garlic, spices and broth
• 🥣Cover and cook 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high
• 🥣about 15 minutes prior to serving, remove chicken and set aside
• 🥣Stir in coconut milk, gnocchi, and fresh spinach.  Cover and allow to cook.
• 🥣Shred or cut chicken into bite-sized pieces
• 🥣Add chicken back into slow cooker and stir to combine.  Taste test to see if more salt or pepper is needed.
• 🥣To serve, top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil.  Enjoy!

🍽Serving suggestions

1. Sides:  crusty bread or garlic bread, a garden salad, or a crunchy toasted sandwich would all turn this soup into a major meal!
2. Garnishes: In addition to fresh basil, fresh parsley, dill or cilantro would add some nice flavor.  For those who enjoy heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes would go a long way! Italian seasoning is also a great addition.  
3. Protein: a whole rotisserie chicken or a nice big bowl of homemade tuna salad would round out this dish even further.  

🔁Substitutions

• Garlic powder or jarred minced garlic can replace fresh garlic.
• Green onion can be used in place of a traditional yellow onion.
• If you are not a fan of coconut milk, heavy cream, evaporated milk, or an oat blend creamer can be used in its place.  The use of these will change the taste of the finished product a bit.  
• Carrots and celery can be swapped with other favorite vegetables.  Zucchini, yellow squash, and parsnips are all wonderful in this great recipe.  
• Skinless chicken thighs can be used in place of breasts.

Storing

Store leftovers of your easy gnocchi soup in an airtight container or zip top bag. They will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Alternatively, freeze this hearty comfort food for 3-4 months. Remember that your gnocchi texture may change a bit upon defrosting. For best results, allow soup to defrost fully in the refrigerator before gently reheating in the microwave.  

😉Hints & hacks

1. To keep things extra lazy, purchase carrots, celery, and onion already cut.  They are available in the fresh vegetable section of the market as well as the frozen section.  Both fresh vegetables and frozen work perfectly well in this delicious recipe. 
2. Leftover chicken from this recipe is perfect for making homemade chicken salad. 
3. I love using slow cooker liners on lazy days. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
4. Fresh, frozen, or shelf-stable gnocchi will all work with this recipe.  
5. In the market for a new crock pot? I love mine.
6. Don't forget to plug your slow cooker in and turn it on! 😏