This Slow Cooker Chicken Soup Recipe is the Ultimate Comfort Food
There’s nothing like the smell of warm chicken soup to bring you back to childhood and make you feel better when you’re sick or in need of comfort. Whether it’s a cold day or you’re feeling under the weather, this slow cooker chicken soup recipe will fit the bill perfectly with its savory aroma, full-bodied flavors, and tender chicken and vegetables that are bursting with nutrients that will keep you nourished and healthy all winter long. Your whole family will love it!
Healthy recipes don’t have to be complicated
Take chicken soup, for example. It’s a great food to give your immune system a boost during cold and flu season, thanks to its immune-boosting properties. The best part? Homemade chicken soup can be prepared quickly and easily in a slow cooker while you’re out of the house or just have other things to do. You don’t even need many ingredients boneless, skinless chicken breast, fresh onion, celery, garlic, carrots and herbs de Provence are all that’s required for you to prepare healthy homemade chicken soup at home. This recipe makes approximately 10 servings or around 14 cups of soup. It freezes well so feel free to make a double batch if you want to store some for later!
Know what you are eating
Instead of relying on ingredients without knowing what they are, you can make sure you’re eating a wholesome and healthy meal by making use of an ingredient list. This way, you’ll know exactly what goes into your food so you can prevent things like food poisoning or other health issues. You should also be aware of nutrition information that each item contains to ensure it fits within your diet. If you need to eat gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan, look for products labeled as such the ingredient list will give you exactly what you need to know if a product is right for your needs.
Chicken thighs vs. chicken breasts
There are a lot of ways to cook chicken breasts and thighs, but when it comes to chicken soup, there’s an even more important decision: Should you use dark meat or white meat? Experts say dark meat which is typically thigh meat has more flavor. That's because dark meat has about double the amount of fat as white breast meat does. As a result, it can stand up better to long-simmering in soups and stews. We generally recommend using thighs, which will give your soup a richer flavor than chicken breasts will. (Chicken wings are another story!) The other perk of using dark meat is that it won't dry out as quickly as light chicken tends to do during long cooking times.
Greek flavors make this recipe stand out from the rest
This Greek chicken and rice soup recipe includes ingredients like spinach, oregano, olives, and feta cheese. The simple ingredients come together to create a flavorful soup your whole family will love. Greek flavors give it a unique taste that makes it stand out from other chicken soup recipes, while still keeping some traditional elements in tact. For example, though you might not expect to find feta cheese or olives in chicken soup the unique blend of ingredients will have you coming back for more. If you’re looking for an easy slow cooker recipe that will leave your house smelling amazing all day long, look no further than this recipe for Greek chicken and rice soup.
Vegetables help fill you up
Vegetables are nutrient-rich, low in calories and highly filling. This Greek chicken soup recipe is filled with them (you might even have to add more). Zucchini, broccoli and carrots give you a healthy dose of vitamins A, C and K; munch on some celery or bell peppers for vitamin B6 and manganese; dark leafy greens like spinach are a great source of folate and calcium. And it all comes together perfectly in a slow cooker that does all of your work for you.
The slow cooker does all the work for you
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner recipe that’s also a healthy, hearty meal option, look no further than slow cooker chicken and rice soup. This Paleo-friendly dish is flavorful and filling and it was designed to be made in your crockpot! With only five ingredients (five if you don’t count salt), all you have to do is cut up your veggies, add chicken breasts, onion powder, garlic powder and some coconut milk to your slow cooker. Your home will smell amazing as everything simmers all day long. The soup comes out rich and creamy; it works great with a little crumbled feta cheese stirred in at the end or on its own.
Make it ahead of time (up to 3 days in advance) so you can enjoy it when you want it
To make sure your leftovers are as fresh and tasty as possible, remove them from their original packaging and store them in a clean glass container. Doing so allows you to reheat food without it being immersed in its own juices or soaking up any other food's flavors. Use your leftover chicken soup to create another meal, like a delicious sandwich or salad. Add shredded cooked chicken to a bowl of quinoa or brown rice for an easy lunchtime salad with plenty of protein. If you have some leftover whole-grain bread, slice it into thick pieces and spread some softened butter on each side then use it to make croutons by simply tossing them in a bit of olive oil and grilling them until crispy. Then, add those croutons on top of your!
Great leftovers
Greek chicken and rice soup freezes well so make an extra-large batch, then freeze individual portions in freezer bags or containers. This allows you to enjoy it for a week or two after you cook it! The recipe also calls for whole green beans, corn and diced tomatoes. These ingredients don't freeze well so leave them out when preparing your leftovers. Instead, heat up some fresh veggies or top your bowl with crunchy croutons before digging in.