Hearty Crockpot Chicken & Rice Soup: Your Ultimate Comfort Meal for Effortless Weeknight Dinners

Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup

Introduction

If you’re looking for a comforting, nourishing meal that practically makes itself, this Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup is a top choice. It’s packed with tender chicken, hearty rice, and a medley of vegetables in a flavorful broth—making it a family-friendly favorite. Perfect for busy weeknights, chilly evenings, or anytime you want a delicious meal ready with minimal effort.

Deliciously Simple Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup

What makes this soup so special? It’s the combination of wholesome ingredients and the slow-cooking process that unlocks deep, satisfying flavors. The rice absorbs the savory chicken broth, while vegetables become perfectly tender, producing a soup that’s both filling and healing. This recipe is naturally gluten-free, and you can customize it with your favorite add-ins for extra nutrition and flavor.

How to Achieve Perfect Texture in Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup

To ensure everything cooks evenly, layer your vegetables and rice under the chicken—so the flavors blend and the rice cooks up tender, not mushy. Using boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs ensures the meat stays juicy. For best results, stir in fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavors.

Serving Suggestions for a Hearty Meal

Ladle this soup into bowls and top with fresh herbs, a sprinkle of Parmesan, or a slice of lemon for added zest. Pair with a slice of crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete, warming dinner. The leftovers keep beautifully, making tomorrow’s lunch prep a breeze.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe generally provides 6 generous servings. Each portion contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on rice and additional ingredients. It’s a balanced dish, rich in protein and fiber—a satisfying meal that’s as healthy as it is tasty.

Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup (Recap)

With a comforting texture and layered flavors, this soup is a household staple you’ll turn to week after week. It’s a complete one-pot meal, making cleanup a snap and meal planning wonderfully simple.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 3/4 cup uncooked long-grain white or brown rice
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra richness)
• Fresh parsley or lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined meal planning!

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and rice to the bottom of your slow cooker. Place chicken breasts or thighs on top.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth. Add dried thyme, parsley, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil if using.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and rice is cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return chicken to the slow cooker. Stir well and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Remove bay leaf. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or a wedge of lemon if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup is ideal for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planner to automatically generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned meals!

Planning Benefits:

  • Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities, even with multiple recipes
  • Organizes shopping lists by grocery store aisle
  • Eliminates duplicate purchases and prevents forgotten items
  • Makes weekly meal prep fast, efficient, and organized

Pro tip: If you plan this soup and another chicken-based dish in the same week, CookifyAI will tally total chicken needed, reducing food waste and guesswork!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low (or 3-4 hours on high)
Total Time: 6 hours, 15 minutes (on low)

Enjoy the ease and comfort of this Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup—a true meal planning superstar!

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