Ingredients
Scale
- 1 and ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3–4 medium whole carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1–2 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ medium yellow or white onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon chicken seasoning base (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup cream or half and half
- 1–2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 pound potato gnocchi
- 3 cups baby spinach
- Cooked ground beef (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large slow cooker.
- Add the Better than Bouillon paste and red pepper flakes, if using.
- Pour the chicken stock or broth over the ingredients and stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks and return it to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cream (or half and half) and cornstarch. Pour this mixture into the soup.
- Add the gnocchi and spinach, stirring well.
- Cover and cook on high for an additional 30–45 minutes, until the gnocchi are tender and the soup has thickened.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, whisk together an additional tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of cool water, then stir this slurry into the soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with cooked ground beef, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels.
- For a thicker soup, add more cornstarch slurry.
- Ground beef topping is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg