Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 6 clow sodium chicken stock
- 2 tbspbutter
- 2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 2onions
chopped
- 4carrots
chopped
- 2parsnips
chopped
- 2ribs celery
chopped
- 2leeks
chopped
- 8peppercorns
- 1bay leaf
- 4 sprigsfresh thyme
- 2 sprigsfresh rosemary
- 2 lbbone-in chicken breasts or thighs
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1juice + zest of lemon
- ¾ cdry farro
- ½ cfresh cilantro and or mixed herbs
Directions
- 1
1. In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the chicken stock, butter, olive oil, onions, carrots, parsnips, celery, leeks, peppercorns, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 4-5 hours. 2. About 45 minutes before serving, remove the chicken from the soup. Remove the herbs and discard. Stir in the lemon juice and zest, plus the farro. Shred the chicken and stir it back into the soup and cook until the farro is tender.3. Divide the soup among bowls and top with herbs. Serve with a hunk of bread.
Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Soup
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About this Recipe
Imagine walking into your home to the comforting aroma of a simmering, hearty chicken soup – that's the magic of this Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Soup. It’s the ultimate antidote to a chilly evening, promising warmth and satisfaction with minimal effort.
While its origins are on the stovetop, adapting this recipe for the slow cooker truly elevates it. The low-and-slow cooking tenderizes the chicken beautifully and thoroughly melds all the aromatic vegetables and herbs into a rich, comforting broth. This method makes preparation effortless and deepens the flavors, all without constant supervision.
With each spoonful, you'll discover a robust, savory broth teeming with tender chicken, sweet carrots, earthy parsnips, and the subtle bite of leeks and celery. The addition of farro brings a wonderful, chewy texture and makes this more than just soup—it's a substantial, satisfying meal. A bright finish of fresh lemon juice and zest cuts through the richness, leaving you refreshed and craving another bowl.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to swap out the bone-in chicken breasts or thighs for boneless cuts if you prefer, adjusting cooking time as needed to prevent overcooking. For a different grain, pearl barley could be used instead of farro, though cooking times might vary slightly for texture. Fresh dill or parsley can easily replace or complement the cilantro and mixed herbs for a slightly different flavor profile.
This hearty chicken soup is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend lunch. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.