Hearty Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe for Comfort

Slow cooker magic creates comfort in a bowl, promising warmth and nourishment with minimal kitchen effort.

Bright citrus notes dance through this hearty soup, cutting through rich flavors with unexpected zest.

Home cooks seeking simple yet satisfying meals will adore this foolproof recipe that practically prepares itself.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients merge in a gentle, slow-simmered symphony of tender chicken and fluffy rice.

Fragrant herbs complement the delicate lemon undertones, building layers of complex yet approachable flavor.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques make this soup accessible for busy households craving something delicious and nutritious.

Imagine walking into a kitchen filled with savory aromas that promise pure culinary satisfaction.

One spoonful will transport you to a cozy dining experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup: Bright & Comforting

• This slow cooker soup transforms basic ingredients into a hearty meal with minimal hands-on preparation, making it perfect for busy home cooks who crave delicious comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• The vibrant lemon juice and zest add a refreshing, tangy twist that cuts through the richness of the chicken, creating a bright and uplifting flavor profile that awakens your taste buds.
• Slow cooking ensures incredibly tender chicken that falls apart easily, while the soft vegetables and perfectly cooked rice create a luxurious, satisfying texture that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
• This versatile recipe allows easy modifications like swapping herbs, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting spice levels, making it a flexible go-to meal that adapts to your personal taste and pantry ingredients.

What Goes Into Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that forms the hearty protein of the soup, choose boneless and skinless for easy shredding.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base vegetables that add depth and nutrition, fresh and crisp produce works best.
• Garlic: Provides robust flavor and aromatic base for the soup, fresh minced is more flavorful than pre-chopped.

• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright citrus notes that add freshness and tanginess to the soup, use fresh lemons for best flavor.
• Thyme: Herbal complement that brings earthy undertones, dried or fresh both work well.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and elevate the overall taste, adjust to personal preference.

• Chicken Broth: Foundational liquid that creates the soup's body, low-sodium versions allow better control of saltiness.
• Butter: Adds richness and subtle creaminess, unsalted recommended for flavor control.
• Minute Rice: Quick-cooking rice that helps thicken the soup, white rice works best for smooth texture.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb that adds color and fresh finish, chop finely before sprinkling.

Easy Instructions for Crockpot Chicken & Rice Soup

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker Base

• Chicken breasts
• Onion (diced)
• Carrots (sliced)
• Celery (sliced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Fresh lemon
• Thyme sprigs
• Butter
• Chicken broth
• Salt
• Black pepper

Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Add chopped vegetables around the meat. Zest the entire lemon over the ingredients, then squeeze its juice generously. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves across the top. Drop small butter chunks evenly throughout the mixture. Pour chicken broth to cover everything. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Gently mix ingredients to distribute flavors.

Step 2: Slow Cook The Soup

Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 4-6 hours. This slow cooking process helps blend flavors and soften vegetables perfectly.

Step 3: Shred And Add Rice

Thirty minutes before serving, carefully remove chicken breasts. Shred the meat using two forks, then return chicken pieces back into the soup. Add minute rice and switch slow cooker to high. Cook for an additional 30 minutes until rice becomes tender and absorbs delicious broth flavors.

Step 4: Serve And Garnish

Ladle the steaming soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and extra flavor. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this comforting, zesty chicken rice soup.

Best Tips for Rich and Tangy Chicken Soup

• Maximize Flavor Depth: Let the slow cooker work its magic by allowing ingredients to simmer slowly, which helps develop rich, complex taste profiles and tenderizes the chicken perfectly.
• Perfect Chicken Shredding Technique: Use two forks to pull chicken apart when it's cooked, ensuring uniform, tender shreds that blend seamlessly into the soup.
• Rice Timing is Critical: Add minute rice only in the final 30 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain a fluffy, soft texture that doesn't become mushy.
• Zest Boost: Reserve some fresh lemon zest to sprinkle on top just before serving, which adds a bright, fresh citrus punch and enhances the overall aromatic experience.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Chop parsley right before garnishing to preserve its vibrant green color and release maximum flavor when added to the hot soup.

Keep Soup Delicious with Storage Advice

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For stovetop, gently heat in a pot over medium-low, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent rice from sticking and maintain soup's creamy consistency.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Side Pairings for Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the bright, zesty lemon flavors with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which will enhance the soup's citrusy notes and cut through its richness.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Add a warm, crusty sourdough or rustic baguette on the side to soak up the flavorful broth and provide a delightful textural contrast to the soft soup.
• Match with Fresh Herb Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with fresh dill, parsley, and a tangy vinaigrette to echo the soup's herbal undertones and provide a refreshing accompaniment.
• Finish with Lemon Sorbet: End the meal with a small scoop of lemon sorbet to amplify the citrus theme and cleanse the palate with a cool, bright finish.

Lemon Chicken Soup Variations for Your Taste

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace thyme with oregano and add diced kalamata olives. Stir in crumbled feta cheese before serving for a Greek-inspired version with tangy Mediterranean flair.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Incorporate diced green chiles, swap minute rice for quinoa, and sprinkle ground cumin. Top with cilantro and a dash of cayenne pepper for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Creamy Herbal Fusion: Stir in heavy cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Add fresh dill and chives for an herbal, velvety texture that transforms the soup into a rich, comforting meal.
• Ginger Wellness Boost: Include fresh grated ginger and sliced shiitake mushrooms for an immune-boosting variation. Finish with a splash of low-sodium soy sauce to enhance the umami profile and add depth to the broth.

Warm Answers to Cold Weather Soup FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add about 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked and tender.

• How can I make this soup gluten-free?

Simply use gluten-free chicken broth and minute rice to make this recipe completely gluten-free. Double-check all ingredient labels to be sure.

• What if I don't have fresh thyme?

No worries! You can substitute dried thyme. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried thyme instead of fresh. The flavor will still be delicious and aromatic.

• Can I store leftovers of this soup?

Absolutely! Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When reheating, you might need to add a little extra broth since the rice tends to absorb liquid.

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comfort meets zesty freshness in this hearty slow cooker lemon chicken & rice soup, where tender chicken, bright herbs, and tangy citrus dance together. Mediterranean-inspired flavors fill each spoonful, inviting you to savor a soul-warming meal that effortlessly blends simplicity and deliciousness.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 4 whole carrots (sliced)
• 4 stalks celery (sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Other Ingredients:

• 1 cup minute rice
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
• 1 whole lemon (juiced and zested)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons salted butter (cut into chunks)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Nestle whole chicken breasts into the slow cooker basin, creating a foundation for the soup’s robust flavor profile.
2. Scatter a medley of crisp diced onions, slender carrot slices, delicate celery strips, and aromatic minced garlic around the chicken.
3. Lavishly drizzle fresh lemon juice across the ingredients, then sprinkle vibrant lemon zest to enhance the citrusy essence. Delicately distribute fragrant thyme leaves throughout the mixture.
4. Dot the surface with butter chunks to infuse richness, then carefully pour chicken broth over the ingredients. Season generously with salt and pepper, gently stirring to ensure even distribution.
5. Secure the lid and allow the slow cooker to transform the ingredients, simmering on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until vegetables soften and flavors harmonize.
6. Thirty minutes before serving, extract the chicken breasts and shred them meticulously using two forks, then return the tender meat to the simmering liquid.
7. Introduce minute rice into the soup, switching the cooker to high and allowing it to cook for an additional 30 minutes until the rice reaches perfect tenderness.
8. Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls, crowning each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch. Serve immediately and savor the comforting blend of lemony chicken and rice.

Notes

• Slow cooking allows deep flavor infusion, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting, aromatic meal with minimal hands-on preparation.
• Shredding chicken directly in the slow cooker keeps meat tender and absorbs surrounding seasonings for maximum taste.
• Using minute rice ensures quick cooking and prevents overcooking, maintaining a perfect texture without becoming mushy.
• Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the entire dish, cutting through rich broth and adding a vibrant, citrusy dimension.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a hassle-free meal that’s ready when you are.
• Garnishing with fresh parsley adds a pop of color and brings a light, herbal freshness to the hearty soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 75mg