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This Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a delicious, easy, and comforting meal. It’s loaded with shredded chicken, Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, Veggies, and a dairy free cashew cream. Gluten free, dairy free, Paleo!

Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)

It’s almost soup season again and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m always looking for fun ways to use Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, and this might be my favorite. This recipe is so incredibly easy to make, and the entire family will love it! This soup is a copycat version of Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup, except without the gluten or dairy. You would never know it! There is nothing better than setting the crock pot on low and forgetting about it as you go about your day. Then coming home to an amazing dinner with minimal prep! I’ve also included Instant Pot directions below.

What Ingredients You Need to Make Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Onion
  • Thyme, sage, garlic powder
  • Chicken broth – I love getting the Kirkland brand from Costco. It’s certified gluten free!
  • Baby spinach
  • Raw, unsalted cashews
  • Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi which can be found in the frozen section

You can sub in any gnocchi you want, but please note they may not be gluten free or paleo! Just check your labels.

gluten free dairy free soup recipes

How to Make This Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Add in the onions, celery, carrots, spices, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.

During the last 30 minutes of cook time, make the cashew cream. Combine the cashews, water, and salt in a high-speed blender and blend on high for 1 minute (or until very creamy). If you don’t have a high-speed blender, I recommend soaking the cashews in hot water for 30 minuets prior to blending.

Shred the chicken in the slow cooker using 2 forks. Turn the slow cooker to high heat. Add in the gnocchi and spinach, and stir well. Stir in the cashew cream and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes while the gnocchi heats up. Serve with fresh parsley, if desired!

How to Make This Soup in the Instant Pot:

For the Instant Pot, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil on sauté mode. Add in the onions, carrots, and celery and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add in the chicken breasts, spices, and chicken broth. Lock the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes. Quick release the steam.
While the soup is cooking, make the cashew cream as directed above.
Shred the chicken in the pot using 2 forks. Add in the gnocchi and spinach and stir well. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Pour in the cashew cream and let the soup cook while stirring for 5-10 minutes, until the gnocchi is heated through and the spinach is wilted.

I tolerate dairy. Can I use something other than cashews?

Yes! You can sub ¾ cup of heavy cream if you would like to use regular dairy instead.
Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Looking for some other delicious Slow Cooker Recipes for Back To School? Check these out!

And if you try this Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup, make sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations! If you try it and love it, a 5-star rating and review below (under the recipe card) would mean so much. Happy cooking!
gluten free chicken gnocchi soup

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5 from 13 votes

Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 people
This Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a copycat version of the popular soup at Olive Garden! It's packed with veggies, shredded chicken, Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi, and a dairy free cashew cream. Delicious, comforting, and easy!
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Ingredients 

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled & diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1.5 tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 package Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Cashew Cream

Instructions 

Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer. Add in the onions, celery, carrots, spices, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
  • During the last 30 minutes of cook time, make the cashew cream. Combine the cashews, water, and salt in a high-speed blender and blend on high for 1 minute or until very smooth and creamy. If you don't have a high speed blender, I recommend soaking the cashews in hot water for 30 minutes prior to blending.
  • Shred the chicken in the slow cooker using 2 forks. Turn the slow cooker to high heat. Add in the gnocchi and spinach and stir well. Stir in the cashew cream and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes while the gnocchi heats up. Serve with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions

  • Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil on saute mode. Add in the onions, carrots, and celery and saute for 3-5 minutes. Add in the chicken breasts, spices, and chicken broth. Lock the lid and cook on manual high pressure for 12 minutes. Quick release the steam.
  • While the soup is cooking, make the cashew cream. Combine the cashews, water, and salt in a high-speed blender and blend on high for 1 minute or until very smooth and creamy. If you don't have a high speed blender, I recommend soaking the cashews in hot water for 30 minutes prior to blending.
  • Shred the chicken in the pot using 2 forks. Add in the gnocchi and spinach and stir well. Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode. Pour in the cashew cream and let the soup cook while stirring for 5-10 minutes, until the gnocchi is heated through and the spinach is wilted. Serve with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1337mg | Potassium: 915mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6168IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg

All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.

Did you make this?Rate & comment below, and tag me on Instagram @maryswholelife

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17 Comments

  1. Lou Smith says:

    My daughter is allergic to dairy and nuts. Is there something I can use to replace them for creaminess?

  2. Manna says:

    YUM YUM YUM! 

  3. Landry Kempf says:

    I don’t have an instapot or slow cooker- can i make this on the stove in a regular pot? looks delicious!

    1. Mary says:

      Yes definitely, I would sauté in a pot per directions, and then add in the ingredients (except gnocchi and cashew cream) and simmer for 30 mins. Stir in the gnocchi and cream at the end!

  4. Erin says:

    Made this for my family tonight and it was so easy and so comforting. We used traditional potato gnocchi and like to top with  LOTS of cracked pepper. 

  5. Cassie Nixon says:

    Hey Mary! Would this be Whole30 compliant too? I picked up the gnocchi at TJ’s and it seemed compliant but wasn’t sure if I’m missing something since this isn’t labeled Whole30. Thanks!!!

  6. Kimberly says:

    I’m sitting here eating this for the 3rd time in 3 days and I’m in heaven! I meal prepped it for lunches and I’m so glad I did, so incredibly tastey and comforting!!!

  7. Nicole Nicolette says:

    I just made this for the first time and it won’t be the last!!

    1. Mary says:

      Woo hoo! Thanks, Nicole!

  8. Nohemi West-Phelps says:

    This recipes looks great, if I just have cashew butter – how much do you think I should use? 1/4 cup? or do you think it wouldnt work?

  9. MELISA C says:

    This was sooo delicious! I used Cappello’s almond flour gnocchi because that’s what I had but it was still wonderful. My local supermarket has a pre diced soup starter of carrots, celery and onion that would make this come together in just minutes. Thank you so much for all the delicious recipes! 

  10. Jaime says:

    Never had the Olive Garden version, but this was delicious. Always looking for new ways to sue the Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi!!