Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup (Printable version)

Tender chicken and fresh vegetables simmered slowly with zesty lemon and aromatic herbs for ultimate comfort.

# 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 (optional)

09 - 1/2 cup uncooked white rice or orzo

→ 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 Prepare:

01 - Place chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the crockpot.
02 - Layer carrots, celery, onion, and garlic over the chicken.
03 - Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the crockpot.
04 - Stir in thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Add rice or orzo if using.
05 - 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.
06 - Remove cooked chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the soup.
07 - Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed.
08 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The lemon makes it taste bright and fresh instead of heavy like so many chicken soups
  • It cooks itself while you go about your day, coming together almost magically
  • The shredded chicken stays impossibly tender and absorbs all those herby flavors
02 -
  • Adding the rice too early can make it mushy, so check your package directions and time it right
  • The lemon flavor mingles during cooking, so do not be tempted to add more until the end when you can taste it
  • If the soup seems too thick, just add another cup of broth or water to reach your preferred consistency
03 -
  • Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the brightest, most authentic flavor
  • If you have time, sear the chicken in a pan before adding it to the crockpot for extra depth

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