Oh, there’s just something magical about a steaming bowl of creamy soup, isn’t there? Especially when the weather’s a bit chilly and you just want something truly comforting. For those days, my Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup is an absolute lifesaver and a total game-changer! It tastes like something you’d get at a fancy restaurant, but the beauty is, it’s a ‘set and forget’ kind of recipe. I know for me, finding that pure cooking joy started with making simple things feel special, and this soup does exactly that. It’s so incredibly easy, you’ll wonder why you ever made it any other way. Come on over to my Facebook page here and let me know what you think!
- Why You'll Love This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- How to Prepare Your Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Tips for the Best Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Make-Ahead and Storage for Your Comfort Soup Recipe
- Variations for Your Family Friendly Soup
- Frequently Asked Questions about Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Nutritional Information
- Share Your Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup Experience!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Honestly, this soup is a dream come true for busy weeknights or when you just want maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Here’s why it’s become a staple in my kitchen:
- Super Easy Prep: Seriously, you just chop a few things and toss them in the slow cooker. It’s practically a dump and go miracle!
- Hands-Off Cooking: Once it’s in there, you can forget about it and let the magic happen. No constant stirring required!
- Restaurant-Quality Taste: It’s unbelievably creamy and flavorful. That “marry me” name isn’t just for show – it really is *that* good.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: My kids absolutely devour this creamy chicken gnocchi soup. It’s hearty and satisfying for everyone.
- Ultimate Comfort Food: It’s the perfect fall and winter soup, delivering a bowl of pure warmth and coziness.
- Great for Meal Planning: Makes fantastic leftovers and reheats beautifully, so you have delicious meals ready to go.
Ingredients for Your Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff! Gathering your ingredients for this dump and go wonder is the easiest part. You’ll basically just be tossing everything into that slow cooker and letting it do all the heavy lifting. Trust me, it’s so straightforward, you’ll feel like you’ve got a secret weapon for weeknights!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (these stay nice and tender!)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (because garlic makes everything better, right?)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (don’t drain them, that liquid is pure flavor!)
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (just a pinch for a little warmth!)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 (12 oz) package shelf-stable gnocchi (you’ll find these in the pasta aisle, usually!)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach (it wilts down perfectly!)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (for that pop of freshness at the end)
How to Prepare Your Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This is where the real magic happens, and it’s so easy! That’s the beauty of a great slow cooker recipe, right? You can totally prep this in the morning and have a fabulous dinner waiting for you. It makes those busy weeknight dinners feel like a breeze.
Step 1: Layering the Base
First things first, get those gorgeous chicken thighs into the bottom of your slow cooker. They’re going to get so tender and flavorful. Then, just scatter that chopped onion and all that lovely minced garlic right on top. This is where the flavor foundation really starts to build!
Step 2: Adding Liquids and Seasonings
Now, pour in the chicken broth and those undrained diced tomatoes. Don’t skip that juice from the tomatoes; it adds so much depth! Give it a good stir with the basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything is nicely distributed so the flavor melds perfectly.
Step 3: Slow Cooking to Perfection
Pop that lid on tight and set it to cook. You can go with low for about 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, high will work in 3 to 4 hours. Check the chicken; it should be super tender and easily shreddable. This is the best part of a great crockpot chicken soup – it’s all hands-off!
Step 4: Shredding and Finishing
Once the chicken is cooked, pull it out and shred it with two forks – it’ll pull apart like a dream! Put the shredded chicken right back into the slow cooker. Now, stir in that yummy shelf-stable gnocchi, the heavy cream, and the grated Parmesan cheese. Give it another cover and let it cook on high for about 30 minutes, or until those gnocchi are nice and tender. Wow, that creamy chicken gnocchi aroma is amazing!
Step 5: Adding Greens and Serving
Almost there! Toss in the fresh spinach and stir until it just wilts down. It adds a beautiful touch of green. Ladle this luscious, creamy soup into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a little pop of color and freshness. Serve it up immediately and enjoy that incredible, hearty bowl!
Tips for the Best Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
You know, the beauty of this slow cooker soup is that it’s super forgiving, but a few little tricks can really make it sing! It’s all about those small details that elevate it from “good” to “absolutely knock-your-socks-off delicious.” I’ve learned a few things myself over the years, and I’m happy to share them so you can have the best darn soup possible! As I always say over on my About page, cooking should be simple but rewarding!
Ingredient Spotlight: Gnocchi
My go-to for this recipe is the shelf-stable gnocchi you find in the pasta aisle. They hold up SO well in the slow cooker, unlike fresh gnocchi which can sometimes get a little mushy if they cook too long. Just make sure you stir them in during that final 30 minutes on high, and they’ll be perfectly tender – not too firm, not too soft. It’s the best of both worlds!
Achieving Creamy Perfection
For that luscious, creamy texture we all crave, it’s all about the finishing touches. The heavy cream and Parmesan cheese are superstars here, but if you ever want it even thicker, a simple cornstarch slurry works wonders! Just whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth, then stir it into the soup during those last 30 minutes. It gives you that glorious, velvety consistency that makes this soup so comforting.
Make-Ahead and Storage for Your Comfort Soup Recipe
I love that this slow cooker soup is a total lifesaver for meal planning. You can totally prep this baby ahead of time, which is so handy if you’re trying to stick to a weekly meal plan. Just chop your onions and mince that garlic the night before and keep them in separate containers in the fridge. Then, in the morning, it’s just a quick 5-minute toss into the slow cooker!
Once your soup is all done and delicious, let it cool completely before storing leftovers. It’ll keep nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you want to reheat it, just pop it back into a pot on the stove over medium heat, or even in the microwave. You might want to add a tiny splash of extra broth or water if it seems a little thick after sitting, just to get that creamy perfection back. It reheats like a dream!
Variations for Your Family Friendly Soup
Even though this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup is pretty perfect as is, I totally get wanting to mix things up sometimes! It’s all about making it your own, right? You can totally tweak this recipe to fit your mood or whatever you have in the fridge. It’s so versatile, and plays really nicely with other flavors. You can find even more of my favorite comforting soup and salad ideas right here!
Want to add some extra veggies? Toss in some chopped carrots or celery with the onions. A handful of frozen peas or some chopped zucchini in the last hour of cooking works great too. For a little kick, you could increase the red pepper flakes, or even add a dash of cayenne pepper. And don’t forget fresh herbs – a little sprig of rosemary cooked with the chicken, or some fresh dill stirred in at the end, can totally change the flavor profile!
Frequently Asked Questions about Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Got questions about this dreamy soup? I’ve got answers! It’s so satisfying to get a recipe just right, and I’m happy to clear up any little things that might pop up. These are some of the most common things people ask me about this dish!
Can I use chicken breast in this slow cooker soup?
You totally can! Chicken breast cooks a bit faster and can dry out more easily than thighs. If you use it, I’d recommend adding it just for the last 1.5-2 hours on high heat, or until it’s cooked through and shreds easily. That way, it stays nice and moist!
What if I can’t find shelf-stable gnocchi?
No worries! If you can only find fresh gnocchi, just add them in during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking on high, right before you add the spinach. They cook super fast and will be perfectly tender!
How to make this a dairy-free marry me chicken gnocchi soup?
For a dairy-free version, you can swap the heavy cream for a good quality full-fat coconut milk (the kind in a can) or a dairy-free creamer. For the Parmesan, nutritional yeast is a fantastic substitute for that cheesy flavor touch. It totally works!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info can change a little depending on exactly what brands you use, but as a general idea, this hearty soup comes in at around 550 calories per serving. You’re looking at about 30g of fat, with 15g of that being saturated fat, plus around 35g of protein and 35g of carbohydrates, with about 3g of fiber. For all the nitty-gritty details and the full breakdown, you can always check out my disclaimer page. Happy cooking!
Share Your Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup Experience!
Okay, now it’s YOUR turn! I would absolutely LOVE to hear how your Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Gnocchi Soup turned out. Did you snap a pic? Did the family devour it? Please, please share your triumphs, your little tweaks, or even just your thoughts in the comments below! It really helps build our community here, and knowing you’re finding joy in your kitchen makes my day. Happy cooking!
PrintSlow Cooker “Marry Me” Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Enjoy a creamy, restaurant-style “Marry Me” chicken gnocchi soup made effortlessly in your slow cooker. This set-and-forget recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, delivering comfort and flavor with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 4-8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 (12 oz) package shelf-stable gnocchi
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic over the chicken.
- Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes.
- Stir in basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the gnocchi, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover and cook on high for another 30 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender.
- Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a thicker soup, you can mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of cold water and stir it into the soup during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- This soup is a great option for meal planning, as it reheats well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg



