Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Ravioli Soup

📝Shopping list

To make this amazing slow cooker soup you will need these simple ingredients available in any grocery store:

• boneless chicken breasts - boneless, skinless chicken thighs work too
• ravioli - fresh or frozen
• canned diced tomatoes -  with Italian spices, if available
• carrot - diced
• celery stalk - diced
• small onion - diced
• fresh baby spinach
• Italian dressing mix packet
• Italian seasoning
• chicken stock - or broth
• salt and pepper - to taste
• fresh parsley garnish - optional
• grated parmesan garnish - optional

🔪Instructions

This great recipe involves just a few simple steps:

Preparing your slow cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it in a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check the manual for your slow cooker if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

Cooking

🍗Place chicken into the bottom of the greased slow cooker.

🍗Add in all remaining ingredients, other than tortellini and spinach.

🍗Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours of cooking time.  

🍗About 15 minutes before serving, remove chicken and add ravioli* into the hot soup.  

🍗Shred chicken into bite sized pieces.  This can be done with two forks, a potato masher or even a hand held blender. 

🍗Stir shredded chicken back into your slow cooker.*

🍗Just before serving, stir in baby spinach leaves.  It may be difficult to add in all spinach at one time.  The spinach will shrink very quickly as it cooks (see hints section below for more information on spinach in this soup) 

🍗Top with shredded parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley (if desired) when serving.  

🍽Serving suggestions

The flavorful chicken broth in the hearty soup is wonderful soaked up by some crusty bread!  Just add a small side salad and you have a perfectly well-rounded meal.  

Some additional great accompaniments include:

• garlic bread
• bread sticks
• polenta
• mashed potatoes 
• mashed cauliflower 
• corn bread 
• vanilla maple carrots, and
• whole roasted cauliflower

🔁Substitution ideas

1. Pasta -This soup can easily be turned into slow cooker chicken tortellini soup by substituting cheese tortellini for ravioli. (As you can see in the pictures, I do this often!).
2. Meat - Use chicken thighs in place of breasts. Or, use bone-in chicken pieces for a richer tasting broth.
3. Vegetables -Frozen vegetables can be used in place of the fresh vegetables in this recipe.  Add fresh kale in place of fresh spinach for a different texture and nutrient boost.
4. Seasoning - trade oregano, thyme, and rosemary for Italian seasoning.
5. Broth - trade chicken broth for beef or vegetable broth

Storing

Store leftovers of your easy chicken ravioli soup in an airtight container or zip top bag. They will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Alternatively, you can freeze this hearty comfort food for 3-4 months. Just keep in mind that your pasta may change texture a bit upon defrosting. 

Store leftovers in meal-sized portions for easy, next day reheat-and-eat. One of the great things about this recipe is how much your whole family will love the delicious leftovers.

😉Hints & hacks*

1. To keep things extra lazy, purchase carrots, celery and onion already cut.  They are usually available in the fresh vegetable section of the market as well as the frozen section.  Both fresh vegetables and frozen work perfectly well in this delicious recipe. 
2. Using all the ravioli and all the shredded chicken in this soup will give it a stew-like consistency.  If your perfect meal contains more savory broth than the original recipe, use less pasta and/or less shredded chicken.
3. Leftover chicken from this recipe is perfect for making homemade chicken salad. 
4. The perfect way to store leftovers of this slow cooker recipe is in individual serving-sized containers.  This makes for easy grab-and-go meals on busy nights.
5. I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
6. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine.
7. Don't forget to plug your slow cooker in and turn it on! 😏