Published: Apr 5, 2019 · Modified: Apr 4, 2022 · By Susan

Lazy Slow Cooker Chicken Soup Recipe

Name: Lazy Slow Cooker Chicken Soup Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 495 min
Ingredients: 2 Pieces chicken breast (I like the breast, but other chicken parts work as well. ); 2 Carrots (Cut in large pieces); 2 Celery stalks (Cut in large pieces); 2 Turnips (Cut in large pieces); 2 Parsnips (Cut in large pieces); 4 - 5 Roasted garlic cloves; 1 Small Onion chopped; 1 Sprig Fresh dill; 1 Sprig Fresh Rosemary; 10 Cups chicken stock; Salt and pepper to taste

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This slow cooker chicken soup is like a delicious hug in a bowl. Warm, filling, and wonderful, it is the original comfort food!

Finished chicken soup in a black bowl with some chicken pieces on a spoon

Sometimes, it's a lot of work to be lazy. The best way to be truly lazy is to be well prepared. For example, keeping a well-stocked freezer is the easiest way to plan a last-minute meal requiring minimal effort.

This theory can apply to entertaining as well. Watching your guests mingle about with a glass of wine while you run around like Cinderella is not fun. The devil is in the last-minute details.

chicken soup in a round turquoise bowl with two matzo balls, carrots and parsnips

BUT - sitting back and enjoying time with your guests while your crock pot does all the slow cooking: that is next-level lazy!

Family holidays are a perfect example of how I use my desire to be lazy. I cook all large meals in stages leading up to the big day.

Cook and freeze, cook and freeze, cook and freeze. A different menu item each day- starting with this homemade chicken noodle soup!

📝Shopping list

Jump to the recipe card below for exact quantities

To make this classic chicken soup, you will need the following:

Chicken pieces - I often use boneless skinless chicken breasts because they are easy and inexpensive. I buy them in club pack sizes, so there are always some in my freezer. However, you can use any chicken parts you choose. Chicken pieces with bones will definitely produce a better flavor!
Carrots
Celery
Turnips
Parsnips
Garlic - minced or powder
Onion - yellow onion is preferred
Dill - fresh sprig
Rosemary - fresh sprig
Chicken stock - or broth
Salt and black pepper (optional - to taste)

🥣Assembly

This slow cooker recipe is as easy as adding all your ingredients into your slow cooker and just letting it work its magic! Yes, really - that's it!

Close up of all chicken soup ingredients prior to cooking

Fresh herbs can be laid right on top (as shown in the picture above). They will impart plenty of flavor into the broth and can be easily removed after cooking.

After fully cooked, you can decide how much of the chicken/veggies you want to keep in your soup. If you are just looking for broth, you can strain everything else out. I prefer to keep all the veggies and about one-half of the chicken in the soup

Pull out the cooked chicken, remove any bones and then shred chicken using two forks. Return some shredded chicken to the soup (and make delicious chicken salad with the rest).

Added bonus: This great recipe will make your house smell amazing!

Close up of veggies cut up in the slow cooker on top of raw chicken pieces

🍽Serving suggestions

To turn your soup into slow cooker chicken noodle soup, just add uncooked noodles 15-30 minutes prior to serving. Fine egg noodles are great in chicken soup and will only take about 15 minutes. Larger noodles will take a bit longer and soak up more of the broth.

Looking down on a bowl of soup filled with veggies and chicken

Adding cooked rice is also an amazing way to turn this soup into a more substantial one-bowl meal.

You can serve this easy chicken soup alongside everything from a casual Sloppy Taco Joe sandwich to a full steak dinner. Crackers or tortilla chips are also a great addition!

Storing leftovers

Most of our holiday meals start with this easy recipe. There is almost always a container or two (or 6!) stored in my freezer for a busy weeknight meal. I love eating leftover soup any time of year.

three storage containers with chicken soup ready on a counter top. ready for the freezer

Leftovers of this slow cooker chicken soup recipe are best stored in an airtight container or bag. It will last for 3-5 days in the refrigerator and 4-6 months in the freezer.

It is great to be able to pull out single servings of this soup to reheat on chilly days.

😉Hints & hacks

I am a big fan of slow cooker liners....because, well, I am lazy. Buying them in bulk is a great way to take advantage of better pricing.
I always have frozen veggies and frozen chicken breasts tucked in my freezer for later use. This lets me avoid extra trips to the store.
You don't have to use chicken breasts to make chicken slow cooker soup! Just about any bone-in or boneless pieces of chicken will work. Including bone-in pieces adds some extra flavor.
I like to make an extra-large batch and freeze my homemade chicken soup in deli containers. They are the perfect size for quick defrosting.
Looking to make crockpot chicken noodle soup? Just add dry pasta noodles about 15 - 30 minutes before you plan to serve. I prefer fine egg noodles, they cook through very quickly. Wide egg noodles are also a great option
I use a chicken soup base when I make this recipe.
Although fresh herbs add a great flavor to this soup, dried can be substituted.

Soup veggies cut up in a bag ready for the freezer

Some other amazing crockpot chicken soup recipes I love are chicken tortilla soup, chicken and corn soup, and Lemon chicken & rice soup. I am also a fan of just sipping on some hot broth😉.

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