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
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)
Instructions
- Nestle whole chicken breasts into the slow cooker basin, creating a foundation for the soup’s robust flavor profile.
- Scatter a medley of crisp diced onions, slender carrot slices, delicate celery strips, and aromatic minced garlic around the chicken.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thirty minutes before serving, extract the chicken breasts and shred them meticulously using two forks, then return the tender meat to the simmering liquid.
- 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.
- 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