Description
Comfort meets Italian cuisine in this hearty Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup, blending rich marinara with tender chicken and melted cheese. Slow-cooker magic delivers a warm, satisfying meal that brings classic flavors directly to your table with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (453.6 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Tomato Base:
- 1 (28 ounces / 793.8 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounces / 425.2 grams) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups (0.95 liters) chicken broth (low sodium)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) small pasta (ditalini, rotini, or penne)
- ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup (56 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded (for serving)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional, adds depth)
- ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine diced chicken, crushed and diced tomatoes, and broth in the crockpot, creating a robust base for the soup.
- Finely mince onion and garlic, then sprinkle them evenly across the liquid mixture to infuse aromatic flavors.
- Generously season the soup with Italian seasoning, fresh basil, and oregano, allowing the herbs to permeate the ingredients.
- Add a subtle kick of heat with red pepper flakes, balancing the overall flavor profile of the soup.
- Incorporate salt and black pepper to enhance the depth and complexity of the seasoning.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low heat, allowing the ingredients to slowly simmer and meld together for several hours.
- Periodically stir the soup to ensure even distribution of flavors and prevent ingredients from sticking to the bottom.
- As the chicken cooks, it will become tender and easily shred, creating a hearty and satisfying texture.
- In the final hour of cooking, gently break down the chicken using a fork to create smaller, more manageable pieces.
- Once the soup reaches a rich, cohesive consistency, it is ready to be served hot with optional garnishes like fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure tender, easy-to-shred meat that absorbs the rich, savory flavors of the soup.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your spice tolerance, starting with a pinch and adding more for extra heat if desired.
- For a lighter version, use low-sodium broth and reduce the salt, making it heart-healthy without compromising taste.
- Enhance the protein content by adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese just before serving, creating a creamy and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) / 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg