Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup (Printable)

Comforting soup with tender chicken, vegetables, and bright lemon flavor, slowly simmered to perfection.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Broth & Liquid

06 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
08 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Grains

09 - 1/2 cup uncooked white rice or orzo (optional)

→ Herbs & Seasoning

10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
02 - Layer carrots, celery, onion, and garlic over the chicken.
03 - Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and add lemon zest to the pot.
04 - Stir in thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper until well combined.
05 - If using rice or orzo, add it now and stir to distribute evenly.
06 - Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
07 - Remove cooked chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the soup.
08 - Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed.
09 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while your house fills with the most incredible aroma
  • That hit of fresh lemon makes each spoonful feel like a warm hug from the inside out
  • Its one of those rare soups that actually tastes better the next day
02 -
  • The lemon flavor will mellow during cooking, so dont be alarmed by how bright it tastes at first
  • Rice will continue absorbing liquid as it sits, so add extra broth when reheating leftovers
  • Removing the bay leaf before serving saves someone from an unpleasant surprise
03 -
  • Toss in a parmesan cheese rind during cooking for incredible depth
  • Coconut milk stirred in at the end creates a velvety, creamy version
  • Use thighs instead of breasts for extra succulence

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