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Slow Cooker Chicken Minestrone


  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes - 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Description

Enjoy a comforting bowl of slow cooker chicken minestrone, perfect for a light and satisfying meal. This easy crockpot soup recipe is packed with flavor and simple to prepare. It’s a hearty dish that comes together with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

  • Instructions

    1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Saute for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. This step helps build a deeper flavor base for your soup.

    2. Transfer the sauteed vegetables to your slow cooker. Add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, crushed tomatoes, rinsed and drained cannellini beans, rinsed and drained kidney beans, chicken broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

    3. Stir all the ingredients gently to combine. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and easily shreddable when done.

    4. Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

    5. Stir the small pasta into the soup. Continue to cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender to your liking. Keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

    6. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts, which usually takes just a couple of minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 2-6 hours
    • Category: main dish
    • Method: slow cooker
    • Cuisine: italian-american

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 bowl

    Keywords: minestrone, chicken, slow cooker, crockpot, soup, easy, comfort food, healthy, weeknight meal, meal prep