There’s just something magical about throwing a bunch of stuff into the crockpot in the morning (while your toddler is yelling about applesauce), and coming back hours later to a warm, cozy meal that tastes like you actually tried. Spoiler: you didn’t.
I’ve made a lot of chicken crockpot meals over the years (some better than others, lol), but this one right here? It’s one of those easy dump crockpot soups that checks all the boxes. It’s hearty. It’s warm. It’s full of flavor. And it’s basically a hug in a bowl.
Whether you’re searching for chicken soup crockpot recipes, slow cooker chicken soup, or just wanna add more chicken dishes in crockpot to your meal rotation, this one’s a keeper. My kids call it “that good soup with the stuff in it,” which I think is a compliment??
If you’re into crockpot soup with chicken, or love a good hearty slow cooker chicken stew, this is right up your alley. It’s one of those easy chicken soups to make where you don’t even need to measure perfect. Dump, stir, peace out.
Whether you call it chicken soup in slow cooker, soup chicken, or are just browsing for hearty dinner recipes crock pot, I promise this one is about to save your week. And hey, if you’re more of a pressure cooker gal, this would totally work as one of those Instapot soups with chicken, too. #DoYouBoo
So grab that crockpot, toss in your faves, and let’s make one of the coziest chicken soups crockpot style that your whole fam’s gonna love.
Let’s get to it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Okay, don’t panic. It looks like a lot, but it’s mostly just dump-and-go kinda stuff:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs if that’s what you got)
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice (like the long-cook kind, not the minute rice)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (I used the stuff in the jar, no shame)
- 6 cups chicken broth (I use the boxed kind from Costco)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt (or more later if ya need it)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half (totally optional but makes it creamy and so good)
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- Optional: a splash of lemon juice at the end to brighten it up
Step-by-Step: How to Make It
Step 1: Dump everything in the crockpot
Seriously. That’s the magic here.
Just toss in the chicken, rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, and seasonings. Don’t overthink it. Just get it all in there.
Set it on:
- Low for 7–8 hours
OR - High for 4–5 hours
I usually do low and let it hang out all afternoon while I handle everything else. Or nothing else. Depends on the day
Step 2: Shred that chicken
Once the time’s up, the chicken should be falling apart tender. Like, “you don’t even need a knife” tender.
Just take two forks and shred it up right in the crockpot. If it’s being stubborn, give it 15 more minutes and try again.
Step 3: Stir in the milk and butter
This part’s optional, but oooh it makes it creamy and rich and just yum.
Add in your milk (or half-and-half if you’re feeling fancy) and the butter or olive oil. Stir it all around and let it warm up for about 10–15 minutes more.
Step 4: Taste it and finish it off
Now give it a little taste. Want more salt? Add a bit.
Need more broth because the rice got a lil’ greedy and soaked it all up? Add a cup or two.
Feeling bold? Splash in some lemon juice. It perks everything up.
FAQs – Because We All Have Questions, Especially Around 4PM
Can I use frozen chicken in the crockpot?
Okay, real talk? Technically the USDA says “no” to that for safety reasons. But… have I done it before when I forgot to thaw chicken? Yep.
If you do it, make sure your slow cooker gets it hot enough fast enough. A better move is to thaw it overnight in the fridge (or the ol’ “leave it in cold water for 30 minutes” trick).
Can I make this in the Instapot?
Totally! If you’re in a rush and your slow cooker didn’t get the memo, this works great as an Instapot soup with chicken. Just dump everything in, set it to pressure cook for about 25 minutes, then do a natural release. Shred the chicken, stir in your milk and butter, and boom—done.
What if I don’t have wild rice?
No biggie! You can use brown rice or even white rice—but heads up, they cook faster.
If you use white rice, add it halfway through so it doesn’t turn to mush. Or, if you’re feeling wild, try noodles instead and make it like a chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker. Still yummy!
Can I freeze the leftovers?
YES girl. This soup freezes like a dream. Just let it cool down first, then pop it into a freezer-safe container or bag.
Skip the milk and butter if you’re freezing it, and add those when you reheat. Otherwise it gets a little weird in texture.
Can I sneak in extra veggies?
Yes, and I highly encourage it—especially if your kids will actually eat them
I’ve added spinach, peas, corn, chopped zucchini… basically whatever’s dying in the fridge. It’s a good way to use up stuff and feel like you’re crushing the whole “feeding the family healthy meals” thing.
Recipe Card: Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Crockpot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup wild rice uncooked
- 1 small onion , diced
- 3 carrots , peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks , chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half optional, for creamy finish
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
Optional:
- splash of lemon juice to brighten things up
Instructions
Step 1:
- Add chicken, wild rice, chopped veggies, garlic, broth, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper to your crockpot.
Step 2:
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours until chicken is fully cooked and rice is tender.
Step 3:
- Shred the chicken in the crockpot using two forks. (It should fall apart easy-peasy.)
Step 4:
- Stir in milk and butter (if using). Let it warm through for another 10–15 minutes.
Step 5:
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add extra broth if it’s too thick. Hit it with a splash of lemon juice if you’re feeling zesty.
Notes
- Rice will keep soaking up broth, so leftovers = thicker. Just add more liquid when reheating!
- Freezer-friendly! Just skip the milk before freezing and add that after you reheat.
- Totally works with noodles or brown rice if you don’t have wild rice.
Whether you’re searching for cozy chicken based soups crock pot style, or hunting down slow cooker chicken soup recipes that actually taste good and don’t involve fancy ingredients, this one’s a total keeper. I’ve made a bunch of chicken dishes in crockpot form, and this is the one my family asks for again and again. Even my picky eater says, “This one’s not gross,” which in this house is basically a five-star review.
It’s perfect for fall, winter, rainy Tuesdays, sick days, or those “I literally can’t even” kind of days. It’s one of those pot recipes easy enough that you can toss it in the slow cooker while juggling school drop-off, laundry, and finding the missing shoe (WHY is there always just one??).
So if you’re into:
- Chicken soups crockpot recipes that are cozy and kid-approved
- Crockpot soup with chicken that doesn’t need babysitting
- Or just looking for some hearty dinner recipes crock pot style to save your week…
Bookmark this baby. Print it. Stick it on your fridge. Heck, shout it from the rooftops (or just text it to your mom group). This soup’s a win.
And hey—if you ever wanna turn it into an Instapot soup with chicken, go for it. You do you, boo. Whether it’s chicken soup in slow cooker, hearty slow cooker chicken stew, or just a classic bowl of soup chicken, you can’t go wrong here.
Thanks for hanging out with me in the chaos. Now go enjoy your dinner—and maybe hide in the pantry with a cookie afterward. I won’t tell.
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