This Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a delicious, easy, and comforting meal. It’s loaded with shredded chicken, Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, fresh veggies, and a rich, dairy-free cashew cream. Perfectly gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo-friendly!

Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup: A Hearty & Healthy Comfort Meal (Slow Cooker & Instant Pot)

As the weather cools and cozy nights approach, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of soup to soothe the soul. Get ready for soup season with this incredible Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup – a recipe that combines ease of preparation with unparalleled flavor. If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi, you’re in for a treat, as this recipe highlights its versatility in the most delightful way. This dish is designed to be incredibly simple to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal that your entire family will adore.

Inspired by the beloved classic, Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup, this version offers all the rich, creamy goodness without any gluten or dairy, making it a fantastic option for those with dietary sensitivities or following a Paleo lifestyle. You truly won’t believe it’s dairy-free and gluten-free! Imagine starting your day by setting your ingredients in a slow cooker, letting the flavors meld and deepen over hours, and returning home to a fragrant, ready-to-eat dinner with minimal effort. For those busier days, we’ve also included convenient Instant Pot instructions to get this hearty soup on your table in a fraction of the time.

Why You’ll Love This Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• **Effortless Comfort:** Whether you choose the slow cooker or Instant Pot, this recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
• **Diet-Friendly & Delicious:** Packed with wholesome ingredients, this soup is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo-compliant. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a creamy, satisfying meal without compromising your dietary goals.
• **Family Favorite:** The tender shredded chicken, soft gnocchi, and creamy broth make this a universally appealing dish that even picky eaters will enjoy. It’s a healthy twist on a classic comfort food.
• **Nutrient-Rich:** Loaded with fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, and spinach, this soup is bursting with vitamins and minerals, making it as nourishing as it is delicious.
• **Creamy & Indulgent (Without the Dairy):** The homemade cashew cream creates an incredibly luscious texture and rich flavor, mimicking traditional dairy cream perfectly for a truly indulgent experience.
• **Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi Star:** This recipe offers a unique and delicious way to use everyone’s favorite cauliflower gnocchi, adding a delightful texture and low-carb option.

Essential Ingredients for Your Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Crafting this savory and wholesome soup requires a blend of fresh produce, lean protein, and aromatic spices. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

• **Chicken Breasts:** Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for shredding and absorbing the rich flavors of the broth. You can also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
• **Carrots, Celery, & Onion:** These classic mirepoix vegetables form the aromatic base of our soup, adding natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
• **Thyme, Sage, & Garlic Powder:** A simple yet powerful trio of spices that imbues the soup with a warm, herbaceous, and savory character. Feel free to adjust quantities to your personal preference.
• **Chicken Broth:** Opt for a high-quality, certified gluten-free chicken broth. Brands like Kirkland (from Costco) are excellent choices that ensure your soup remains compliant with dietary needs.
• **Baby Spinach:** Stirred in at the end, fresh baby spinach adds a vibrant color, a boost of nutrients, and a touch of freshness that wilts perfectly into the hot soup.
• **Raw, Unsalted Cashews:** The secret to our luscious dairy-free cream! When blended, cashews create an incredibly smooth and rich texture that rivals heavy cream. Be sure to use raw and unsalted for the best flavor and consistency.
• **Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi:** Found in the frozen section, this innovative ingredient provides the perfect tender “dumpling” texture while keeping the soup gluten-free and Paleo-friendly. Its neutral flavor absorbs the soup’s richness beautifully.

While Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is highly recommended for its Paleo and gluten-free qualities, you can substitute other types of gnocchi if preferred. However, please remember to carefully check labels to ensure they align with your specific dietary requirements, as many traditional gnocchi contain gluten and dairy.

How to Make This Comforting Slow Cooker Chicken Gnocchi Soup

The slow cooker method is perfect for a hands-off approach, allowing the flavors to develop beautifully throughout the day. Here’s how to bring this delicious soup to life:

1. **Assemble the Base:** Begin by placing the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. Evenly distribute the diced onions, celery, and carrots over the chicken. Sprinkle with garlic powder, dried sage, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper. Pour the chicken broth over all the ingredients, ensuring everything is submerged.
2. **Slow Cook to Perfection:** Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 8-10 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. This gentle cooking process ensures the chicken becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred.
3. **Prepare the Dairy-Free Cashew Cream:** During the final 30 minutes of the slow cooker’s cooking cycle, prepare your cashew cream. In a high-speed blender, combine the raw cashews, ¾ cup of water, and a pinch of sea salt. Blend on high for about 1 minute, or until the mixture is exceptionally smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, we highly recommend soaking your cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes before blending; this will help achieve that silky smooth texture.
4. **Finish the Soup:** Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Increase the slow cooker setting to HIGH heat. Stir in the Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi and fresh baby spinach. Pour in the prepared cashew cream and stir everything thoroughly to combine. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the gnocchi is heated through and tender, and the spinach has wilted.
5. **Serve and Enjoy:** Ladle your hearty Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for a burst of color and herbaceous note.

How to Make This Soup in the Instant Pot: A Quick & Flavorful Method

For those times when you need a delicious meal on the table fast, the Instant Pot is your best friend. This method delivers all the flavor in a fraction of the time:

1. **Sauté the Aromatics:** Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become fragrant.
2. **Pressure Cook the Chicken & Broth:** Add the chicken breasts, garlic powder, dried sage, dried thyme, sea salt, black pepper, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir gently to combine. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) mode on HIGH pressure for 12 minutes.
3. **Quick Release & Shred:** Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the steam according to your Instant Pot’s instructions. Carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the pot.
4. **Prepare the Cashew Cream:** While your soup is pressure cooking, prepare the cashew cream as directed in the slow cooker instructions above. Combine the raw cashews, ¾ cup water, and a pinch of sea salt in a high-speed blender. Blend for 1 minute until very smooth. Soaking cashews in hot water for 30 minutes is recommended if you don’t have a high-speed blender.
5. **Add Gnocchi, Spinach & Cream:** Add the Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi and fresh baby spinach to the Instant Pot with the shredded chicken. Stir everything well. Set the Instant Pot back to Sauté mode. Pour in the creamy cashew mixture and stir continuously for 5-10 minutes, allowing the soup to thicken slightly, the gnocchi to heat through, and the spinach to wilt.
6. **Final Touches:** Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired, and savor this quick yet deeply satisfying soup!

Expert Tips for a Perfect Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup

• **Don’t Skimp on Soaking Cashews:** For the creamiest cashew cream, especially if you don’t have a super powerful blender, soaking the cashews is a game-changer. It softens them significantly, ensuring a silky-smooth result.
• **Adjust Spices to Taste:** The suggested spice amounts are a great starting point, but feel free to tweak them. Love garlic? Add more! Want a little kick? A pinch of red pepper flakes would be delicious.
• **Gnocchi Texture:** Cauliflower gnocchi can get mushy if overcooked. Add it at the very end and only cook until heated through and tender, typically just 5-10 minutes of simmering.
• **Fresh Herbs Make a Difference:** While dried herbs are used in the cooking process, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving can elevate the flavor and presentation significantly.
• **Batch Cooking Friendly:** This soup makes fantastic leftovers! Prepare a larger batch for meal prep throughout the week.

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

Absolutely! If dairy is not an issue for you, you can easily substitute the cashew cream. For a rich, creamy texture, simply stir in ¾ cup of heavy cream during the final simmering stage instead of the cashew cream.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

This Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, or with a slice of gluten-free crusty bread for dipping. For variations, consider adding other vegetables like chopped zucchini or kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking. You could also experiment with different fresh herbs like dill or rosemary for a unique flavor profile.

Storage and Meal Prep

This soup is perfect for meal prepping! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a splash of extra broth or water to thin it out if it has thickened considerably. While this soup can be frozen, the cauliflower gnocchi might change texture slightly upon thawing, becoming a bit softer. If freezing, consider adding the gnocchi fresh when reheating.

Looking for more delicious and healthy Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Recipes? Check these out!

We absolutely love seeing your culinary creations! If you try this Paleo Chicken Gnocchi Soup, please make sure to tag me on Instagram @maryswholelife so I can see your amazing dishes. Your feedback is incredibly valuable; if you make it and love it, a 5-star rating and a review below (under the recipe card) would be greatly appreciated and help others discover this fantastic recipe. Happy cooking!

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