Print

Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Soup

slow cooker chicken and rice soup - featured image
Print Recipe

A cozy, easy-to-make slow cooker chicken and rice soup that delivers comforting flavors with minimal effort. Perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a warm, nourishing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3/4 cup long grain white rice (jasmine or basmati recommended)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing veggies)
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Dice the carrots, celery, and onion into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic cloves finely.
  2. Optional: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant (about 5-7 minutes). Add garlic in the last minute to avoid burning.
  3. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts or thighs. Leave whole or cut into large chunks.
  4. Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the sautéed veggies (or raw if skipping sauté), rice, dried thyme, dried parsley, and bay leaf.
  5. Pour in 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth. Stir gently to combine, avoiding over-stirring.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Check at 5 hours for tenderness. For brown rice, cook 6-7 hours.
  7. Remove chicken pieces carefully. Shred the meat with two forks and return to the soup. Stir gently.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add broth or water if soup is too thick.
  9. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Optionally, add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Notes

Avoid stirring the soup too often during cooking to prevent the rice from breaking down and becoming mushy. Sautéing the vegetables before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional. Use chicken thighs for juicier meat and longer tenderness. For firmer rice texture, add rice halfway through cooking. Add lemon juice at the end for brightness. Frozen chicken can be used but will increase cooking time by about an hour.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, chicken soup, rice soup, comfort food, easy dinner, healthy soup, crockpot recipe

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/slow-cooker-chicken-and-rice-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/