Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup (Printable)

Tender chicken and vegetables simmered with zesty lemon in a slow cooker for a comforting, hearty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 carrots peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic minced

→ Broth & Liquid

06 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 2 lemons
08 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Grains

09 - 1/2 cup uncooked white rice or orzo optional

→ Herbs & Seasoning

10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt or to taste
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place chicken breasts or thighs into the crockpot as the foundation layer.
02 - Arrange carrots, celery, onion, and garlic evenly over the chicken.
03 - Add chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest to the pot.
04 - Stir in thyme, oregano, bay leaf, sea salt, and black pepper until well distributed.
05 - If using rice or orzo, add the uncooked grains to the mixture now.
06 - Cover and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, until chicken is fully cooked through and vegetables reach desired tenderness.
07 - Remove cooked chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks, then return the meat to the soup.
08 - Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed to enhance flavor.
09 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crockpot does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
  • Fresh lemon brings a surprising brightness that cuts through the richness
  • It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • If you're adding rice or orzo, it will continue soaking up liquid as it sits, so the soup thickens considerably overnight
  • The lemon flavor mellows during long cooking, so start with the full amount and add more at the end if needed
  • If using chicken breasts, check for doneness around the 5 hour mark to avoid drying them out
03 -
  • Toss in a parmesan rind during cooking for a subtle umami boost
  • For creamy variation, stir in coconut milk after shredding the chicken
  • If you want extra vegetables, add chopped kale during the last 30 minutes

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