She Strengthens

Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Soup Recipe

A Deliciously Easy Meal for Any Occasion

Imagine coming home to a warm, comforting bowl of chicken soup that’s been simmering away all day. This recipe makes it possible, with minimal effort required from you.

The Magic of Slow Cooking

Simply place a whole chicken, along with some vegetables and aromatics, into your slow cooker in the morning. Let it cook on low for 6-8 hours, and come home to a tender, fall-apart chicken in a rich, flavorful broth.

Customize to Your Taste

Take the chicken out, shred the meat, and add it back to the pot. Then, stir in some cooked egg noodles, steamed white or wild rice to make it even heartier. You can also freeze the soup for up to a month and reheat it whenever you need a quick meal.

Preparation Made Easy

Before you start, make sure you have steamed white rice, steamed wild rice, or cooked egg noodles ready to go. This will save you time later on.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 medium celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (4- to 5-pound) whole chicken, neck and giblets removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 2 cups steamed white rice, steamed wild rice, or cooked egg noodles (optional)

Let the Slow Cooker Do the Work

Place the water, carrots, celery, onion, and bay leaf in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Stir to combine and set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, and thyme. Set aside.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, removing any excess fat. Drizzle with olive oil and rub all over the skin. Season inside and out with the thyme mixture. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours.

Finishing Touches

Transfer the chicken to a rimmed baking sheet and let it cool. Shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding the skin, cartilage, and bones. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and add the parsley. Stir in the cooked noodles or rice, if using. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Enjoy your delicious, comforting slow cooker chicken soup!