Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Jan 5, 2026 · 33 Comments

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This healthy instant pot gnocchi soup with chicken is made in an Instant Pot to make an insanely delicious recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It’s creamy, comforting, packed with tender chicken and pillowy potato gnocchi, and comes together incredibly fast thanks to the Instant Pot. Bonus: slow cooker instructions are included too, so you can make it work for your day.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup

It proves soup can be dinner. This is one of those magical soups that actually fills everyone up (even the skeptics). Thanks to tender chicken, pillowy potato gnocchi, and a creamy-but-light broth, it eats like a full meal.
Fast, easy, and weeknight-friendly. The Instant Pot does most of the work, meaning you can sauté, pressure cook, and have dinner on the table in minutes.
Comfort food without the heaviness. It’s creamy and cozy, but still feels nourishing and wholesome—no post-dinner food coma here.
Family-approved. This is one of those recipes that quietly disappears faster than expected. Second bowls happen. Requests for leftovers happen.
Flexible cooking options. Instant Pot or slow cooker—use whatever works best for your day (both sets of instructions included in the recipe card).
Gnocchi lovers, rejoice. Soft, potato gnocchi take this soup from “good” to “can I have more?” real fast.

Ok, so something you should understand about my household: soup is not typically considered a main meal by all adults.

BUT, I put that theory to the test when I made the best healthy instant pot baked potato soup, and, even furthermore put to the test when I made this healthy instant pot creamy chicken gnocchi soup. Both soups have become meals, full stop, and requested!!

What ingredients do you need to make chicken gnocchi soup?

Milk
Corn starch
Olive oil
Carrots
Celery stalk
White or yellow onion
Garlic cloves
Dried Basil
Salt
Thyme
Chicken broth
Chicken breast
Dry potato gnocchi
Baby spinach

Lately, I find myself having less and less time to make dinner, and thought of getting lots of pans dirty in the process makes it even less appealing. One setting I recently discovered on my Instant Pot is the sauté setting. It’s awesome, you can sauté and then add other ingredients in and a few minutes later (literally, that’s all it takes) you have yourself a meal! And there’s potato gnocchi, YUM!

Customizations & Variations

Make it extra veggie-packed: Add extra chopped carrots, celery, spinach, or kale for even more color and nutrition.
Swap the protein: Rotisserie chicken works great for a shortcut, or try turkey for a fun twist.
Dairy-free option: Use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk and a dairy-free butter substitute.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free gnocchi and double-check your broth.
Add herbs: Fresh thyme, rosemary, or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning takes the flavor up a notch.
Make it spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat without overpowering the soup.

What are the benefits of an Instant Pot?

My absolute favorite part of an Instant Pot is making soups because they only take a fraction of the time and not much prep work.

This soup uses milk and cornstarch to give it a nice cream texture and is full of incredible flavors that come together in 10 minutes in an instant pot, you’ll love it and be enjoying it for cozy meals all season long.

Serving Suggestions

With crusty bread or rolls for dipping (because the broth is too good to waste).
Alongside a simple green salad for a balanced, cozy dinner.
Finished with toppings: Freshly grated Parmesan, cracked black pepper, or chopped parsley make it feel extra special.
Perfect for leftovers. This soup reheats beautifully and makes an excellent next-day lunch.

This healthy Instant Pot chicken gnocchi soup is proof that soup can absolutely be dinner. It’s easy, comforting, family-approved, and one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again. Whether you use the Instant Pot or the slow cooker, it’s a cozy meal that feels indulgent but still nourishing—and the kind of soup that just might convert even the biggest soup skeptics.