The Nights In Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup Hearty Herby and HassleFree

Crockpot Chicken Rice Soup

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:300 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 3 medium carrots, sliced or diced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 large dried bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt (to start)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into roughly uniform, bite-sized pieces.
• Place the raw chicken pieces, chopped vegetables, bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and pepper directly into the slow cooker insert.
• Pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is falling-apart tender.
• Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred it coarsely. Discard the bay leaf.
• Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in the 1/2 cup of uncooked rice.
• Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for the final 30–45 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender. Monitor closely to prevent rice from sticking to the bottom.
• Stir in the fresh parsley and the tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:641 kcal

Protein:13.6 g

Fat:9.8 g

Carbs:76.7 g

Fiber:19.9 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:122 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Soup

Cuisine:American

Why This Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup Replaces Every Other Weeknight Meal

There are meals that require attention, stirring, and timing; then there is the profound, satisfying simplicity of a perfect slow-cooked dish. This recipe for Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup isn't just another option for dinner; it’s a declaration of culinary peace. It achieves that elusive trifecta: deeply developed flavour, incredibly tender texture, and almost zero active effort. If you are searching for Easy Fall Dinners Crock Pot solutions that deliver maximum comfort, look no further. This soup transforms humble ingredients into a soul-soothing bowl, making it ideal for busy professionals, parents juggling activities, or anyone seeking Last Minute Crockpot Meals that taste like they simmered all day.

The Soul of Set-and-Forget Cooking: Effortless Comfort Defined

The slow cooker embodies the ultimate convenience, transforming the cooking process from a demanding task into a mere assembly process. We are moving beyond simple reheating; we are building layers of flavour gently over several hours, allowing the chicken to become fork-tender and the aromatics to fully integrate into the broth. This methodology moves us squarely into the realm of Crockpot Dinner Dump And Go meals where the magic happens unattended.

Introducing Your New Weeknight MVP Soup

This particular preparation, which I affectionately call The 'Nights In' Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup: Hearty, Herby, and Hassle-Free, is built upon the classic foundation of poultry, root vegetables, and herbs. Using 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken (thighs are highly recommended for their higher fat content and subsequent flavour delivery), we establish a rich base. The primary goal here is maximizing depth while minimizing active time, making it one of the most approachable Crockpot Whole Food Recipes you can master.

Flavor Secrets of Truly Hands-Off Slow Cooking

The true secret to this soup’s success lies in what we don't do . We skip the initial sautéing step usually required for onions, carrots, and celery. By layering these raw aromatics—about 1 cup each of chopped carrot and celery, and one large yellow onion—directly into the pot with the chicken and 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, the slow, moist heat coaxes out their sweetness beautifully. The infusion of 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and a single bay leaf anchors the savoury profile perfectly.

Perfect For Kitchen Novices and Seasoned Chefs Alike

Whether you’re just unpacking your first slow cooker or you’ve relied on yours for years, this recipe is incredibly forgiving. The cooking process is low-risk; it’s hard to ruin chicken when it's bathing in broth for hours. For those new to the game, this recipe proves that Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup can stand up in flavour against any stovetop preparation, all thanks to the gentle infusion possible only in the slow cooker environment.

Assembling the Foundation: Essential Components for Rich Flavor

Before we seal the lid, we need to ensure we have the right building blocks in place. A truly Healthy Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup starts not just with lean protein, but with quality liquids and seasonings that enhance, rather than mask, the natural taste of the chicken and vegetables. The balance is delicate but crucial for achieving that bright finish later on.

What You Need: Tools for Crafting Amazing Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup

To successfully execute this masterpiece of convenience, your preparation should be swift and organized. We estimate about 20 minutes of active prep time, mainly devoted to chopping the required fresh components.

The Core Cast of Characters (Produce and Poultry)

You will require your 1.5 lbs of chicken (breasts or thighs), the aromatic trio of one large yellow onion, three medium carrots, and three celery stalks—all roughly chopped to ensure even cooking. These vegetables, alongside the chicken, form the backbone of our comforting meal, destined to yield six generous servings.

Selecting Broth and Seasonings for Depth

The liquid is paramount. Use 6 cups of good quality, low-sodium chicken broth. This prevents the final seasoning adjustments from becoming a salt bomb. To season this base, incorporate 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and half a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. We deliberately keep the seasoning light initially, as we plan to adjust for brightness and saltiness once the main cooking phase is complete.

Essential Gear: Your Slow Cooker Checklist

The primary tool is, naturally, your 5 to 6-quart slow cooker insert. Beyond that, a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board are essential for the quick prep work. You will also need two forks handy for the shredding stage, making sure this process is efficient before the final additions are made.

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The Low-Effort Masterplan: Cooking Your Comfort Classic

This is where the magic of slow cooking takes over. Layering the ingredients correctly ensures the chicken cooks evenly and remains moist throughout the long cook time.

Achieving Perfect Texture: When to Add the Rice

The greatest pitfall in any slow cooker soup involving rice is adding the grain too early. Adding 1/2 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice at the beginning guarantees it will break down completely, leaving you with a porridge rather than a soup. Timing the addition of the rice is the key to maintaining the integrity of this Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup .

Step 1: Layering Ingredients for Maximum Juiciness

Begin by placing the raw chicken pieces, the chopped carrots, celery, and onion into the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Sprinkle in the thyme, salt (start with 1 teaspoon), pepper, and the single bay leaf. Finally, pour the 6 cups of chicken broth over everything, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged in the flavourful liquid.

Timing Matters: Setting Your Slow Cooker Duration

Cover the pot securely. For the initial phase, cook on the LOW setting for a full 6 to 7 hours, or if you’re in a slight rush, HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The moment the chicken is so tender it shreds with almost no resistance, it's time for the next step.

The Final Flourish: Thickening and Resting the Soup

Once the chicken is tender, carefully lift it out of the broth and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred it coarsely. While you do this, discard the bay leaf from the pot. Return the shredded chicken to the liquid, and now stir in the 1/2 cup of uncooked rice. Cover the cooker again and switch it to HIGH for a final 30 to 45 minutes. This window allows the rice to cook through completely without turning mushy. Once tender, remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley and, critically, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Let the soup rest, covered, for about five minutes before serving so the flavours can settle and the texture stabilizes.

Elevating Your Leftovers: Storage and Revitalization Tips

One of the true blessings of Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup is its stellar performance as a leftover meal. It tends to taste even better the next day as the broth fully absorbs into the softened rice and vegetables. These Super Healthy Crockpot Recipes often reheat beautifully.

Fridge Life and Freezing Protocols for Leftover Soup

Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you plan to freeze portions, it's crucial to note that the rice will continue to absorb liquid as it freezes and thaws. Freeze only what you know you can eat within two months for best quality. When reheating frozen soup, add an extra splash of broth or water to compensate for the liquid absorbed by the rice during the freezing process.

Creative Additions: Boosting Texture and Savory Notes

To keep things interesting across multiple days, consider additions right before serving. A sprinkle of crispy fried onions, a dash of your favourite hot sauce, or a swirl of Greek yogurt can completely change the profile. For added richness, a small pat of unsalted butter melted into a bowl right before serving works wonders without compromising the dish's healthy profile.

Nutritional Snapshot: Understanding the Goodness in Your Bowl

This soup is inherently balanced, providing lean protein from the chicken, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and essential vitamins from the carrots and celery. When made with low-sodium broth, it remains a wonderfully flavourful yet responsible choice, easily fitting into most dietary frameworks while providing sustained energy.

Customizing Your Comfort Bowl: Variations Beyond the Classic

While the foundational recipe delivers classic comfort, the slow cooker format invites experimentation. Whether you are managing dietary restrictions or simply seeking a new flavour dimension, adjustments are simple.

Fridge Life and Freezing Protocols for Leftover Soup

To keep things interesting across multiple days, consider additions right before serving. A sprinkle of crispy fried onions, a dash of your favourite hot sauce, or a swirl of Greek yogurt can completely change the profile. For added richness, a small pat of unsalted butter melted into a bowl right before serving works wonders without compromising the dish's healthy profile.

Creative Additions: Boosting Texture and Savory Notes

If you prefer a heartier texture, you can substitute the rice entirely with 1/2 cup of pearl barley, which will require adding it earlier, perhaps one hour before the chicken is fully cooked, as it takes longer than white rice. Alternatively, adding 1 cup of frozen peas or corn during the final 30 minutes of cooking brings vibrant colour and sweetness without impacting the established slow-cooker timing structure.

Nutritional Snapshot: Understanding the Goodness in Your Bowl

This soup is inherently balanced, providing lean protein from the chicken, complex carbohydrates from the rice, and essential vitamins from the carrots and celery. When made with low-sodium broth, it remains a wonderfully flavourful yet responsible choice, easily fitting into most dietary frameworks while providing sustained energy. This approach ensures that even your Crockpot Whole Food Recipes provide excellent nutritional density alongside superior convenience.