Slow Cooker Chicken and Gnocchi Soup I made this as directed, cooking 4 chicken breasts cubed (2cups) . I used heart healthy cream of mushroom soup. I roasted a head of garlic in the oven, smashed the garlic and added 1 tablespoon to broth. Very mild. If you want a garlic taste add more. I put all ingredients except gnocchi and peas., on stove pot and brought up to a boil. Then added it to a preheated crock pot on high. Cooked for 2 hours to cook veggies. Then added gnocchi and peas for an additional 1/2. hour. Was perfect. I thought the thyme was great. I don't know why you would have to cook the chicken first if you cooked this on low for 6/8 hours.