Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup: The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Comfort Food
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If you’re a devoted fan of the classic Italian-American dish, chicken parmigiana, prepare to have your culinary world transformed by this incredible **Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup**. It encapsulates all the beloved flavors of traditional chicken parmesan – rich tomato, tender chicken, and gooey cheese – but reimagined in a comforting, soul-warming soup form that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Imagine a bowl filled with perfectly al dente pasta, swimming in a luxurious, creamy tomato broth, studded with succulent pieces of slow-cooked chicken. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a complete meal meticulously crafted in the convenience of your slow cooker, making it ideal for busy weeknights and chilly evenings alike. The deep, savory flavors meld together beautifully over hours, creating a dish that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, when in reality, your slow cooker did most of the work.
As soup season truly kicks into full swing, this **slow cooker chicken parmesan soup** is destined to become a staple in your meal rotation. Its simple preparation using only a handful of readily available ingredients, combined with its intensely satisfying flavor profile, makes it a perfect choice for those days when you crave something wholesome and delicious without the fuss. It’s the kind of flavorful soup that brings comfort and warmth to the dinner table, especially as the temperatures drop.
This recipe transforms a beloved classic into an accessible and convenient one-pot wonder. The slow cooker method ensures that the chicken becomes incredibly tender, almost melting into the rich tomato base, while the pasta cooks directly in the flavorful broth, absorbing all the deliciousness. Topped with a golden, buttery breadcrumb mixture and melty mozzarella, each spoonful is an ode to its Italian-American namesake, providing a delightful textural contrast and an explosion of taste.
Why You’ll Adore This Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup
There are countless reasons why this particular chicken parmesan soup recipe stands out and will quickly become a family favorite. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience:
- Unbeatable Flavor: It captures the iconic taste of chicken parm in a hearty soup format. The blend of rich tomatoes, aromatic garlic, Italian herbs, and savory Parmesan cheese creates an unforgettable flavor profile.
- Effortless Preparation: The magic of the slow cooker means minimal hands-on time. Simply dump the ingredients, set it, and forget it until dinnertime. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal without being tied to the kitchen.
- Hearty and Filling: Packed with tender chicken, pasta, and a rich broth, this soup is incredibly satisfying and comforting, making it a complete meal on its own.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Both kids and adults alike will enjoy this soup. It’s a fantastic way to introduce classic flavors in a new and exciting way.
- Meal Prep Friendly: It makes excellent leftovers, and can even be frozen, making future meals a breeze.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Soup:
Crafting this sensational soup requires a selection of simple, wholesome ingredients that, when combined, create a symphony of flavors reminiscent of your favorite Italian restaurant. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need:
- Chicken: For optimal tenderness and ease of shredding, we recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor. If you’re short on time, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can be shredded and added towards the end of the cooking process for a super speedy version.
- Seasoning: Aromatic essentials include finely minced garlic for depth, salt and black pepper to taste, and a generous amount of Italian seasoning to bring that classic herbacious profile characteristic of Italian dishes. Feel free to adjust these to your personal preference.
- Tomatoes: The robust base of this soup comes from a combination of crushed tomatoes, which provide a chunky texture and concentrated tomato flavor, and tomato sauce, which contributes to the smooth, creamy consistency of the broth. Using both ensures a well-balanced tomato foundation.
- Broth: To infuse the soup with even more savory goodness, use either high-quality chicken broth or chicken stock. This liquid gold is crucial for developing a rich and flavorful base that the chicken and pasta will cook in.
- Cheese: No Chicken Parmesan would be complete without cheese! Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is stirred into the soup at the end, melting into the broth and adding a salty, umami kick that is simply irresistible. Save some for garnishing individual bowls too!
- Cream: A touch of heavy cream is stirred in at the end to achieve a luxurious, velvety texture and to balance the acidity of the tomatoes with a subtle sweetness and richness. It’s what gives this soup its wonderfully creamy characteristic.
- Pasta: We love using elbow pasta in this dish because its small size and shape are perfect for soaking up the broth and creating a truly comforting experience. Other small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or orecchiette would also work beautifully.
- Topping: The crunchy, cheesy topping is a non-negotiable for that authentic chicken parm experience. You will need Italian-style breadcrumbs for their seasoned flavor, unsalted butter for browning them to golden perfection, and shredded mozzarella cheese for that iconic melty, cheesy finish.
How to make Chicken Parmesan Soup:
Creating this delicious slow cooker chicken parmesan soup is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-tasting meal with minimal effort. Follow these simple steps for a truly rewarding culinary experience:
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients. Begin by adding your boneless, skinless chicken breasts, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to a large slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are well-submerged and mixed.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection. Cover your slow cooker and let the flavors meld and the chicken tenderize. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. The longer, slower cooking time on low often yields the most tender results and deepest flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken. Carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker to a clean plate. Using two forks, shred the chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can chop it into cubes if preferred.
Step 4: Incorporate Chicken, Cheese, Cream, and Pasta. Return the shredded or chopped chicken back into the slow cooker, stirring it gently into the rich tomato broth. Now, add the Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and the elbow pasta. Give it a good stir to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta. Cover the slow cooker once more and continue to cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pasta reaches your desired tenderness (al dente is usually preferred for soups to prevent mushiness). Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
Step 6: Prepare the Crispy Topping. While the pasta is cooking, it’s time to prepare the irresistible breadcrumb mixture. In a medium pan on the stovetop, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the Italian-style breadcrumbs and cook, stirring frequently, until they turn a beautiful, deep golden brown color and become fragrant and crispy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Once golden, remove the pan from the heat immediately to prevent burning.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy. Once the pasta is tender and the soup is piping hot, ladle generous portions into individual serving bowls. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of the crispy breadcrumb mixture and a generous handful of shredded mozzarella cheese. Serve immediately and savor every comforting spoonful!
How to store leftovers of this parmesan recipe:
This **slow cooker chicken parmesan soup** is just as delicious, if not more so, the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week. Proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and flavor:
Fridge: Allow the leftover soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of extra chicken broth or water if the soup has thickened too much.
Freezer: For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Once cooled, pour the soup into freezer-safe bags (removing as much air as possible) or airtight containers, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 90 days. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note: pasta can sometimes become a bit softer after freezing and thawing, but the flavor remains excellent. If you anticipate freezing, you might consider cooking the pasta separately or undercooking it slightly.
Tips and tricks for making this easy soup recipe:
Elevate your **chicken parm soup** experience with these helpful tips and tricks:
Toppings for chicken tomato soup:
While the breadcrumb and mozzarella topping is classic, don’t hesitate to get creative with additional garnishes to enhance both flavor and presentation:
- Extra Crispy Bread Crumbs or Croutons: Don’t skimp on the golden, buttery breadcrumbs! For an even richer flavor, you can toast them with a pinch of garlic powder. Store-bought croutons also make a quick and easy substitute.
- Fresh Basil: A sprinkle of fresh, torn basil leaves adds a vibrant burst of color and a fragrant, herbaceous note that complements the tomato base perfectly.
- Freshly Shaved Parmesan Cheese: While Parmesan is mixed into the soup, a final flourish of freshly shaved or grated Parmesan over each bowl adds another layer of nutty, salty flavor and a beautiful visual appeal.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick to your bowl.
- Drizzle of Olive Oil: A finishing drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil can add a lovely richness and aroma.
When to add the pasta to the hot soup:
Timing the pasta addition is crucial for perfectly cooked noodles. The general rule is to add the pasta towards the end of the cooking process. Specifically, after the chicken has finished cooking and has been shredded and returned to the pot, then it’s the ideal moment to stir in the dry pasta to the delicious, simmering soup. This ensures that the pasta cooks evenly and absorbs the fantastic flavors of the broth without becoming mushy.
Avoid adding the pasta at the very beginning of the slow cooking process. Doing so will inevitably lead to overcooked, soggy pasta that will lose its desirable texture and could even break apart, altering the overall consistency of your hearty soup.
Chicken to use:
While boneless, skinless chicken breasts are our go-to for their lean protein and ease of shredding, you have several excellent options when making this recipe:
- Chicken Breasts: As recommended, they cook tenderly and are easy to shred.
- Chicken Tenders: A great alternative to full breasts, they cook quickly and are equally easy to shred or chop.
- Chicken Thighs: For a richer, more intensely flavored soup, consider using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They tend to stay incredibly moist during the slow cooking process.
- Rotisserie Chicken: If you’re looking for a shortcut, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is an absolute lifesaver. Simply shred the meat and add it to the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes, when you add the pasta, as it only needs to heat through. This saves several hours of cooking time!
What to serve with easy chicken parm soup:
This **easy chicken parm soup** is a meal in itself, but a few simple accompaniments can round out the dining experience beautifully:
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy soup.
- Crusty Garlic Bread: Perfect for dipping into the flavorful broth, a warm, crusty garlic bread is an absolute must-have. You can also serve plain crusty bread or breadsticks.
- Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini can add extra nutrients and a different texture to your meal.
More slow cooker recipes to explore:
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and delicious results of slow cooker cooking, you’re in luck! We have a treasure trove of other fantastic slow cooker recipes that are perfect for easy weeknight dinners and meal prep. Dive into these delightful options:
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: A sticky, sweet, and savory chicken dish that’s incredibly versatile.
- Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli: Enjoy your favorite takeout classic made healthier at home.
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos: Easy, flavorful chicken perfect for building customizable tacos.
- Slow Cooker Creamy Macaroni and Cheese: The ultimate comfort food, made effortlessly creamy.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup: A vibrant and zesty soup packed with Mexican-inspired flavors.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Pasta: A fusion dish combining the best of enchiladas and pasta in one easy pot.
Chicken Parmesan Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz elbow pasta
Topping:
- ½ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- To a large slow cooker add in the chicken breast, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and chicken broth to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and shred or chop into smaller pieces.
- Add the chicken back into the slow cooker.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese, heavy cream and elbow pasta. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes or until the pasta is tender
- While the pasta is cooking start cooking the breadcrumb mixture
- Add the butter and breadcrumbs to a pan on the stove and cook on medium heat until a deeper golden brown color forms. Remove from the heat
- Once the pasta is tender, top each bowl with the breadcrumb mixture and mozzarella cheese.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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