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Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Perfect for busy weeknights, this Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup is bursting with flavor and packed with nutrients.

Slow cooker Italian chicken soup.

Looking for a new slow cooker recipe? This slow cooker dish is naturally gluten-free, full of protein, and extremely satisfying. My Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup is actually a twist on one of my long time favorites: Slow Cooked Tuscan Chicken and Beans. Like most slow cooker meals, it is perfect for a busy mom who may only have a few moments to think about dinner, but needs a hearty and healthy meal more than anyone!

How to Make Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup

Start your Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup by preparing all the produce. Dice your onion, zucchini, and red pepper, and chop your kale.

Then drain and rinse your cannellini beans, and add them to your slow cooker.

Followed by the can of diced tomatoes, not drained.

Then add the diced red bell pepper.

And the diced zucchini.

Next add cubed chicken breast, and season with salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and garlic powder.

Then for a bit of spice, add red chili flakes. Add more or less depending on your heat preference.

Stir it all together to help it cook evenly.

Then place the chopped kale on top, and season with additional salt and pepper.

Finish with the chicken broth before placing the lid on the pot.

Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Slow cooker Italian chicken soup.

Serve garnished with fresh parsley, and enjoy your Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup!

Easy Substitutions

  • Make it vegetarian or vegan. Instead of chicken, use a hearty, meaty vegetable like mushrooms or butternut squash.
  • Switch out the greens. Use what you have! Spinach, chard, or whatever you like.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can frozen vegetables be substituted for fresh?

For some ingredients, yes you could. It would be okay to use frozen kale and onion, but would only use fresh zucchini and red pepper.

Can you make this soup in a pressure cooker?

Yes! To make this soup in something like an Instant Pot, follow the instructions of adding all ingredients to the pot. Then seal the lid, press pressure cook on high pressure, and set the time for 25 minutes.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker?

Yes! Chicken can be added in raw; it will cook in the slow cooker with the rest of the soup.

How do you store leftovers?

Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Slow cooker Italian chicken soup.

More Slow Cooker Meals

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

Did you try this soup? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

Liz eating Slow Cooker Italian chicken soup.

One last tip for my Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup – or whenever you slow cook food – I recommend garnishing with fresh herbs before serving. It brightens up the dish and adds a much needed fresh flavor to round out the meal.

Your spoon is waiting.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup

4.48 stars average
Perfect for busy weeknights, this Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup is bursting with flavor and packed with nutrients.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Serves6
CourseSoup
Calories189

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 zucchini diced
  • 1 red pepper seeded and diced
  • 15 ounces cannellini beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounces diced tomatoes low sodium
  • 2 cups kale chopped
  • 6 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes or black pepper
  • fresh parsley optional garnish

Instructions
 

  1. Place all ingredients except for the fresh parsley in a slow cooker and heat on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 20.9gProtein: 23gFat: 1.8gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.7gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 647mgFiber: 5.6gSugar: 5.1g

Liz’s Notes

Can Fresh Kale be substituted for frozen?

Yes. To use fresh kale instead of frozen simply add it 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time. Alternatively, Swiss chard or spinach would work well too.

Do you cook the chicken first or let it cook in the slow cooker?

Nope, it cooks in the slow cooker!! You can use raw. 

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.48 from 23 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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39 responses to “Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup”

  1. Wancharida Avatar
    Wancharida

    Love baked spaghetti. The addition of the ranch dressing mix sounds perfect and no twisting with this pasta! ??

  2. CW Avatar
    CW

    Nice recipe. Extremely easy to make which is fantastic. Flavor is fine but not mind blowing, it tastes very nice with a slice of buttered toast. I added a bit of extra salt and pepper at the end.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

  3. NYPete Avatar
    NYPete

    This soup sounds DELICIOUS, but I do have a stupid question, do you cook the chicken first or let it cook in the slow cooker?
    I have a GREAT fear of under-cooked chicken as I’ve encountered it more than once in restaurants!
    Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Nope it cooks in the slow cooker!! You can use raw. :)

  4. Ann P. Avatar
    Ann P.

    Had friends over for dinner last night, and we made this soup. We did it on the stovetop instead of using the slow cooker – worked great, and the soup was delicious! Have some leftovers to continue enjoying. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I’m so glad you liked it!!!

  5. JulieD Avatar
    JulieD

    I love this soup, Liz!! And in the slow cooker…love it!! Thanks so much for joining in on our celebration for Katie!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you, once again, for hosting!! You’re the best!!

  6. Christine (Cook the Story) Avatar
    Christine (Cook the Story)

    I hear you! The slow cooker is a huge help when you’ve got little ones to care for. I love the fresh herbs added at the end. Great idea for taking a slow cooker recipe to a bright fresh level. Thanks for joining with us to celebrate Katie!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I always try to add fresh herbs at the end!! Thanks for hosting a great shower!

  7. leslie Avatar
    leslie

    Ohh Liz..I want to burry my face in a big bowl of this!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you do Leslie!! So good and healthy!

  8. Paula – bell’alimento Avatar
    Paula – bell’alimento

    Should I not mention that even non “new” moms only have a few moments to think about dinner too? lol I must try this soup soon for my busy days of taxi driving the kids around.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      That is the absolute truth!! I never had time even before I had kids – who am I kidding. ;)

  9. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    This soup sounds delicious! Love soups at this time of year especially. May I ask what you use/recommend for calculating nutritional information for a recipe?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I hope you like it!! I use MyFoodDiary.com! :)

  10. Caroline @ chocolate & carrots Avatar
    Caroline @ chocolate & carrots

    Slow cooker meals are the best! So many great flavors in this one!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Thank you so much Caroline!!