Dinner time gets real wild around here. One kid crying over homework, one digging for snacks, and the little one just yelling for no reason. I do not always got time or brain space for big meals, but I still want something warm that feels like I care.
That is why I love this Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup. It is one of those easy dump crockpot soups you can throw in while you are chasing a toddler and folding laundry. No hard stuff. Just simple steps and good flavor.
It is one of my favorite chicken soup crockpot recipes because it is bright from the lemon but still cozy. You can toss everything in the slow cooker and not worry till dinner. That is my kind of cooking.
If you like chicken based soups crock pot style, this one hits. It is also great if you are looking for hearty dinner recipes crock pot nights or just want chicken dishes in crockpot form that actually taste good.
It has that slow cooker chicken soup feel, but the lemon makes it taste fresh. It is one of those chicken soups crockpot meals that works for cold days, tired days, or even sick days. Some call it soup chicken. I call it dinner saved.
Whether you are into pot recipes easy, chicken soup in slow cooker, or even instapot soups with chicken (yep, that works too), this one is a keeper. My kids call it “lemony noodle soup” and they eat it. That is what matters most.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed or chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Juice from 1 to 2 lemons
- Zest from 1 lemon (only if you want more lemon flavor)
- 1 cup orzo pasta or white rice
- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach (optional but I always sneak it in)
- Lemon slices for serving (if you are feeling fancy)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Load the crockpot
Put the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, salt, pepper, oregano, and olive oil in the crockpot. Stir it a little with a spoon.
Step 2: Let it cook
Put the lid on. Cook it on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Just leave it and let the slow cooker do the job.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
Take the chicken out when it is soft. Shred it with two forks. Then put it back into the crockpot.
Step 4: Add pasta or rice
Add your orzo or rice. Let it cook for 20 to 30 minutes more. Stir it now and then so the pasta does not stick.
Step 5: Add lemon and spinach
Pour in the lemon juice. Add the lemon zest too if you are using it. Then stir in the spinach. It will wilt in a minute or two. Taste it and add more lemon or salt if you want.
This soup is like a warm hug after a hard day. It is one of those slow cooker chicken soup recipes that makes life a little easier. My kids like to call it “lemon noodle soup” even when I use rice. That is fine with me. As long as they eat it.
It is great for meal prep too. I make a big batch and keep leftovers in the fridge. It is still good the next day. Sometimes better.
You can also turn this into one of those instapot soups with chicken if you are running late. I did that once and it still turned out amazing.
FAQs About Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, totally. I use whatever I got on hand. Chicken thighs make it a little more juicy. Works great in any chicken crockpot recipe like this one.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes. Just let it cool first. Then put it in a container with a lid. I skip freezing the pasta part though—it gets mushy. I add fresh pasta when I reheat it.
Can I make this in the Instapot?
Yes. I do that when I forget to start the crockpot. It becomes one of those easy instapot soups with chicken. Pressure cook the chicken and broth stuff for 10–12 minutes, then stir in pasta and lemon after.
My soup is too thick. What do I do?
Add more broth. Easy fix. I keep extra chicken broth in the fridge just for that. Happens a lot with chicken soups crockpot style after it sits.
Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe Card
Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed or chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon optional but yummy
- 1 cup orzo pasta or white rice
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach optional
- Lemon slices for garnish if you want it cute
Instructions
Step 1: Load the Crockpot
- Add chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, broth, salt, pepper, oregano, and olive oil to the crockpot. Stir gently.
Step 2: Slow Cook It
- Put the lid on. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is soft and cooked through.
Step 3: Shred Chicken
- Take the chicken out and shred it using two forks. Then put it back into the soup.
Step 4: Add Pasta or Rice
- Stir in your orzo or rice. Let it cook for another 20–30 minutes until tender. Stir once or twice so it does not stick.
Step 5: Finish with Lemon and Spinach
- Squeeze in the lemon juice. Add zest if using. Toss in spinach and let it wilt. Taste and adjust lemon or salt if needed.
Notes
Tips
- Add more broth if the soup thickens too much.
- Orzo or rice both work—just do not overcook it.
- Use lemon zest for extra flavor pop.
- Skip the spinach if your kids are anti-green.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken can be used to save time.
Variations
- Creamy Twist: Stir in a splash of cream at the end.
- Herb Boost: Add thyme or rosemary for a deeper flavor.
- Pressure Cooker: Make it an Instapot soup with chicken by cooking the base for 10–12 minutes on high, then add pasta and lemon after.
I hope this crockpot lemon chicken soup brings some peace to your wild day like it does for me. Life gets loud with three kids, and this soup is my little quiet. It is easy, warm, and tastes like I put in work even when I really did not.
This is one of those chicken soup crockpot recipes that just works every time. It is lemony, cozy, and makes the house smell like I got my life together (even if I do not). It fits right in with all the chicken dishes in crockpot I keep going back to again and again.
I love that it is one of the easy dump crockpot soups that still feels kinda fancy. Like, it is more than just soup chicken—it is a whole moment. It is great for slow cooker chicken soup recipes nights, and it can even be one of those instapot soups with chicken when I forget to start the crockpot in time. Been there.
Whether you are into hearty dinner recipes crock pot style, chicken based soups crock pot love, or just need easy chicken soups to make after a long day of mom-ing, this one hits. It is a keeper.
If your house is loud and your brain is tired, just toss this in the crockpot. This slow cooker chicken soup might not solve all your problems… but it will at least make dinner easy.
Let me know if you try it. And if your kids actually eat it? That is a win. You did good.
Leave a Reply