Description

This Crockpot Hearty Chicken and Rice Soup is a comforting and nourishing recipe perfect for any day. Made with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and basmati rice, this soup is slow-cooked to develop deep flavors. It’s easy to prepare either in a crockpot for a hands-off cooking experience or on the stove for a quicker version. The addition of fresh spinach and lemon juice adds brightness and freshness to this fulfilling meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

6 tablespoons salted butter
1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 shallots, sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
8 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups dry basmati rice
3 cups chopped fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Herbs and Seasoning

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons chopped sage
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan rind (optional)

Instructions

Prepare ingredients in crockpot or pot: In the crockpot or Dutch oven, combine the butter, chicken breasts or thighs, chopped onion, sliced shallots, chopped celery, and chopped carrots. Pour in the low sodium chicken broth. Add fresh thyme leaves, chopped sage, chopped rosemary, a bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. If available, add a parmesan rind for extra depth of flavor.
Cook the soup: For crockpot method, cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours until the chicken is tender. For stovetop method, bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or up to a few hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken pieces and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.
Add rice and greens: About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the dry basmati rice, chopped fresh baby spinach, chopped parsley, and fresh lemon juice. Continue to cook for 15-20 minutes more until the rice is tender and fluffy.
Serve: Ladle the hearty chicken and rice soup into bowls and garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Notes

You can cook the rice separately and add it before serving if you prefer a different texture or want to control the rice cooking better.
Using chicken thighs will produce a richer flavor and more tender meat, but chicken breasts work fine as well.
Add a parmesan rind during cooking for a deeper savory flavor, but omit if you want a dairy-free option.
This soup freezes well — cool completely before storing in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Adjust cooking time in crockpot based on your appliance’s heat settings and size.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 hours (crockpot low) or 30 minutes (stovetop simmering)
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken soup, crockpot chicken soup, hearty chicken soup, chicken and rice soup, slow cooker soup, healthy chicken soup, basmati rice soup