Key Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts: A lean and protein-rich piece, boneless, skinless chicken breasts become fork-tender and shred like you wouldn’t believe when cooked in the slow cooker. You can also substitute chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor.
Minute Rice: Minute rice cooks up fast and works great for slow cooker soups. If you’re using long-grain rice or brown rice, add it in at the beginning, as those take longer to cook.
Chicken Broth: This forms the base of the soup, providing flavor and depth. Choose low-sodium broth, so you can control the saltiness.
If you read through the list of ingredients in the first paragraph, you’ll probably have noticed a few things. One, lemon juice and lemon zest come together to add brightness and a tangy flavor to this kind of savory chicken and vegetables. Zest brightens the lemon flavor without pushing the soup into acidity overload.
Onion, Carrots, and Celery: Together, these veggies create the aromatic base for the soup. They cook down to lend flavor and nutrition to every bite.
Garlic: Garlic gives a gentle warmth and brings out the savory element in the soup.
Ground Thyme: A perfect partner to lemon and chicken, thyme adds a bit of earthy depth to the soup.
Salted Butter This recipe calls for a few tablespoons of butter that will melt in small chunks into the soup, smoothing it out and enveloping everything in a rich flavor.
Instructions:
Set Up Your Slow Cooker
Add Ingredients: Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of your slow cooker (boneless skinless). Add diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery and minced garlic, which will imbue the broth with rich flavors.
Add Lemon and Seasonings: Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon over the ingredients, and sprinkle with lemon zest and dried thyme. Scatter chunks of salted butter throughout for extra richness.
Add Broth and Season: Pour in chicken broth to cover, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently until combine all ingredients.
Cook
Cover: Put the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. The long cooking time helps the flavors penetrate, resulting in tender chicken and soft vegetables.
Shred and Simmer
Shred the Chicken: About 30 minutes prior to the soup’s finish, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred it with two forks on a cutting board and add to the soup.
Add Rice: Add minute rice to slow cooker. Cook on high for 30 minutes, letting the rice cook and absorb that delicious broth.
Garnish and Serve
Final Touches: When the rice is tender, spoon the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with the chopped fresh parsley, if using, for added color and flavor.
Serve piping hot: The Ultimate Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup: Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory vegetables in a cozy lemony broth. Ideal for cool, nippy evenings.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
This soup is excellent for leftovers and meal prep so you can keep eating it throughout the week!
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors will meld into each other, making it even more delicious on its second day.
Freezing
Allow the soup to cool completely before freezing, and then ladle it into freezer-friendly containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. To eat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or microwave it.
Reheating
To reheat, place in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. The soup may have thickened during storage, so add a little extra broth or water before serving it, to reach your desired consistency.
Recipe Variations to Try:
This lemony chicken soup is very versatile, so feel free to switch it up! Here are some variations:
Creamy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or a splash of coconut milk at the end for a creamy spin. This version is deliciously comforting and has a silky texture.
Earthy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Use orzo instead of the rice for a different-but-similar texture. Orzo pasta cooks quickly and provides a pillowy bite to the soup.
Lemony Chicken Soup with Vegetables
Use extra veggies like zucchini, baby spinach, and bell peppers. Stir in tender vegetables during the last hour of cooking for some added color and nutrition.
Lemon Chicken Soup With Greek-Inspired Flavors
Top with 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese and a sprinkle of fresh dill. The feta brings a savory creaminess and the dill deepens the lemony flavor.
Sopa De Arroz Con Pollo Picante Y Limón
If you like it spicy, stir in a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. The spice harmonizes with the lemon, and brings warmth.
Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup is one delicious way to warm up on chilly days. The tender chicken, buoyant rice and bright lemon merge to make a soup that’s light, restorative and deeply flavored. And using the slow cooker also gives you the ability to put everything in and keep it cooking while you go about your day, so dinner is a no-brainer.
So pull out your slow cooker, get your ingredients, and enjoy a big bowl of cozy comfort!
