Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes for Busy Weeknights (Print Version)

Simple Crockpot Soup Recipes make dinner a breeze. Learn how to create hearty, fuss-free meals with my personal tips and kitchen stories.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Can be Gluten-Free (with rice/GF pasta)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients for Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
03 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted for extra flavor)
04 - 1/2 cup small pasta (like ditalini) or white rice

→ Flavor Boosters for Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes

05 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tsp dried thyme
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 bay leaf

→ Veggie Medley for Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes

10 - 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
11 - 2 stalks celery, diced

→ Finishing Touches for Easy Crockpot Soup Recipes

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get all your ingredients lined up on the counter. I always feel so organized when I do this, even if my kitchen quickly devolves into chaos. If you're using chicken thighs, give them a quick sear in a skillet on the stovetop with a touch of olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. This step, honestly, makes such a difference in flavor, adding a lovely depth you just can't get otherwise. I used to skip it to save time, and while it's still good, that browning gives our easy crockpot soup recipes a richer taste. You'll smell that delicious chicken browning, a little preview of what's to come!
02 - Now for the real magic of easy crockpot soup recipes! Into your trusty slow cooker, place the browned chicken (if you browned it), then add your diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. I always put the harder veggies on the bottom, thinking they get more direct heat, but who knows if that's actually true, lol. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, oregano, and toss in that bay leaf. This is where the foundation of all that comforting flavor starts to build, and you can practically smell the goodness already, even before cooking!
03 - Next, pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes. I typically don't drain the tomatoes because that liquid is packed with flavor and helps thin out our easy crockpot soup. Give everything a gentle stir, just to combine the seasonings a bit. Don't worry about it looking perfect right now; the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. I once overfilled my crockpot and had a little broth overflow onto the counter, which was a fun mess to clean up later. Learn from my mistakes!
04 - Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-3 hours. I usually go for low if I have the time; it just makes the chicken so incredibly tender and the flavors meld together beautifully for these easy crockpot soup recipes. This is your cue to walk away, go live your life, and let the crockpot do its thing. The house will start to smell amazing after a couple of hours, a truly wonderful perk of these easy crockpot soup recipes!
05 - Once the chicken is fall-apart tender (you'll know because it practically shreds itself with a fork!), carefully remove it from the crockpot. Shred it using two forks – honestly, it's so satisfying! Return the shredded chicken to the soup. Now, if you're adding rice or pasta, stir it in here. If it's pasta, cook until al dente, about 15-20 minutes on high. If it's rice, cook for about 30-45 minutes until tender. This is where I almost forgot to add the rice once, oops, had to cook it separately!
06 - Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings. This is crucial! Add more salt, pepper, or even a pinch of dried herbs if it needs a little something extra. I always feel like a pro chef at this stage. Stir in the fresh parsley right before serving. The vibrant green against the rich broth looks so inviting. Ladle out big, warm bowls of your easy crockpot soup and get ready for some serious comfort. It should look hearty, smell incredible, and taste like pure home!

# Notes:

01 - A little trick I learned: always sear your chicken before adding it to the crockpot; it adds so much depth of flavor to these easy crockpot soup recipes.
02 - Leftovers are even better the next day, and it freezes wonderfully in individual portions for quick lunches.
03 - If you don't have fresh parsley, a sprinkle of dried thyme or oregano at the end still gives a lovely aroma.
04 - Serve this hearty soup with a warm piece of crusty bread for dipping – it's a game-changer!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - 6-quart or larger crockpot/slow cooker
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - large skillet (optional for browning chicken)

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 25g