You know what I really love? Easy dump crockpot soups that do not make me feel like crying at five in the evening. Some days are just a mess. The kids are all yelling, the dog smells like outside, and I forgot to take anything out for dinner. Again.
This chicken soup crockpot recipe is my favorite on those days. It is warm, tasty, and my kids actually eat it without making that weird face like I tried to sneak something gross in. It is one of those chicken soups crockpot style that feels like a real homemade meal, even though I did not do much at all.
We eat a lot of chicken dishes in crockpot at my house because it is easy. From slow cooker chicken soup recipes to hearty slow cooker chicken stew, I am always searching for things that do not need a lot of steps. This one makes me feel like I have got it together, even when I really do not.
If you want soup chicken that is soft and cozy and makes the whole house smell good, this is it. It is one of those chicken based soups crock pot people make on rainy days, sick days, or just when dinner needs to cook itself. You can call it crockpot soup with chicken or just slow cooker chicken soup, whatever works.
This also works in instapot soups with chicken if you need it faster. Either way, it is one of those pot recipes easy enough for anyone, even when you feel like your brain is running on low battery.
If you are looking for easy chicken soups to make or hearty dinner recipes crock pot style, this one is a winner. It is comfort food that takes zero energy. Perfect for busy moms, tired humans, and anyone who just needs a break.
Ingredients You Will Need
This is all stuff you probably already got hiding somewhere:
- 1 pound chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
- ¾ cup white rice (not the fast cooking kind)
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery sticks, chopped small
- 1 onion, chopped up (I cry every time lol)
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed or chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth (I used the box kind, no shame)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: lemon juice (if you like a little zing)
- Optional: peas or corn (my kids did not approve but I did it anyway)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Throw it all in the crockpot
Put the chicken, rice, chopped veggies, broth, garlic, and all the spices in. Stir it up. That is it. No need to make it cute.
Step 2: Turn it on and leave it alone
I did low for 7 hours because I forgot about it. You can also do high for 3 to 4 hours. Whatever fits your chaos.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
Take out the chicken and shred it up with forks. If you are tired, just break it up with a spoon in the pot. Toss it back in.
Step 4: Taste it
Add more salt if it tastes boring. I added a squeeze of lemon because I needed something happy that day.
Step 5: Serve it and pray the kids eat
I gave it to the kids with crackers and told them there were no vegetables in it. There definitely were, but they never noticed.
Real Life Tips from Me to You
- The rice will soak up more broth in the fridge. Add water or broth when reheating unless you want soup that is actually just rice.
- You can wait to put in the rice near the end if you want it less mushy. But honestly, I never remember to do that.
- Add cheese on top if your kid will only eat things that are yellow. Mine has that phase right now.
Why I Keep Making This Soup
I like this soup cause it is easy. My house is loud and messy and someone always needs something, and this soup just does not ask a lot from me. It feels like I did something big. Like, wow, dinner was made and I brushed my teeth before noon?
If you are tired, or sick, or just want food that hugs your insides—make this. It will not solve everything but it will help.
And that is enough sometimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but just know it takes longer to cook and might soak up more liquid. You might need to add extra broth if it gets too thick. I tried it once and totally forgot to check, and it turned into rice stew. Still yummy though.
Can I use frozen chicken?
I have done it. Just throw it in frozen, but make sure your crockpot gets it hot enough to be safe. Add a little extra time if you are using frozen chicken breasts.
Can I add more veggies?
Absolutely. I toss in frozen peas or corn sometimes. One time I snuck in chopped spinach and nobody noticed. You can get wild with it if your kids are not watching.
How do I store leftovers?
Stick it in the fridge in an airtight container. It gets thicker as it sits because the rice keeps soaking up the broth. Just add a splash of water or broth when you reheat.
Can I freeze it?
You can, but the rice might get a little mushy when you thaw it. I freeze the soup without the rice if I am planning ahead. Then I just cook fresh rice when I reheat the soup later.
Recipe Card: Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup
Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ¾ cup white rice uncooked long grain not instant
- 3 carrots , peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small onion , diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: squeeze of lemon at the end
- Optional: 1 cup frozen peas or corn
Instructions
Step 1: Add everything to the crockpot
- Place the chicken, rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Give it a quick stir.
Step 2: Cook it low and slow
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Walk away and let it do its thing.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
- Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, remove it from the crockpot. Shred it with two forks and return it to the soup. Stir it in well.
Step 4: Taste and adjust
- Give it a taste. Add more salt or pepper if needed. You can also add a splash of lemon juice here for a fresh little boost.
Step 5: Serve
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. Add crackers, cheese, or a side of bread if your crew is extra hungry.
Notes
Tips
- The rice will keep soaking up broth as it sits. Add more broth or water when reheating.
- Want your rice less soft? Add it during the last hour of cooking instead of at the start.
- If your kids do not like onions, leave them out or chop them super tiny.
Variations
- Creamy Style: Stir in ½ cup of cream or a few tablespoons of cream cheese at the end.
- Low Carb: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice near the end of cooking time.
- Extra Veggie Boost: Add chopped spinach, kale, or zucchini.
At the end of the day, this chicken soup crockpot recipe is one of those meals that saves me. It is the kind of dinner that makes me feel like I got something right, even if the rest of the day was a total mess.
In my house, we eat a lot of chicken crockpot meals. They are easy, warm, and do not need a bunch of steps. From chicken based soups crock pot to hearty slow cooker chicken stew, these recipes keep us fed when life gets too busy to think.
This slow cooker chicken soup is one of my go-to dinners. It is one of those easy chicken soups to make that feels like comfort food. It is soft, cozy, and the kids always eat it without whining. That is a win for me.
I am always searching for pot recipes easy that I can just dump and leave. Easy dump crockpot soups are my favorite because they do not need much from me. This crockpot soup with chicken checks every box. Whether you are looking for chicken soup in slow cooker or chicken soups crockpot style, this one works great.
It also works for instapot soups with chicken if you are short on time. Just a few ingredients and a slow cooker is all you need. No fancy stuff. No stress. Just real food made in a real messy kitchen.
Chicken soup crockpot recipes like this one are not perfect or fancy. But they are real. And sometimes, real is the best thing we can do.
Go make yourself a bowl of soup. You deserve it.
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