And this Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup is THE ultimate comfort dish combining tender shredded chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy rice in a bright lemony broth. The slow cooking melds all the ingredients beautifully, resulting in a warm, savory soup that’s as full of flavor as it is nourishing.
The lemon juice and zest bring a bright, tangy counterpoint that boosts the savory base of chicken broth and thyme. The minute rice, which you add toward the end, equally absorbs the rich broth quickly, making each bite satisfying and filling. Fresh parsley strewn on top adds a burst of color to each bowl, not to mention a bit of herbaceousness that rounds it out, pretty much visually and numerically as pleasing as you could ask.
Whether you’re meal prepping or simply looking for a cozy family dinner, this recipe brings warmth to your table with little effort. Every bite of tender chicken, wholesome rice, and colorful vegetables is so comforting!
Why You’re Going To Love This Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup:
Bright and Flavorful: Adding lemon juice and zest to the broth gives it an uplifting brightness that keeps the hearty soup feeling light and balanced.
Easy Slow Cooker Recipe: It all comes together in one pot and takes only 10 minutes of hands-on time, so you can get on with the rest of your life.
Nutritious and Hearty: With lean protein, lots of vegetables and rice packed in, this soup has it all: It’s soothing and filling, but also nourishing.
Meal Prep-able: This soup is such a great leftover / meal prep meal because it reheats so well.
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Key Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts: A lean and protein-rich piece, boneless, skinless chicken breasts become fork-tender and shred like you wouldn’t believe when cooked in the slow cooker. You can also substitute chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor.
Minute Rice: Minute rice cooks up fast and works great for slow cooker soups. If you’re using long-grain rice or brown rice, add it in at the beginning, as those take longer to cook.
Chicken Broth: This forms the base of the soup, providing flavor and depth. Choose low-sodium broth, so you can control the saltiness.
If you read through the list of ingredients in the first paragraph, you’ll probably have noticed a few things. One, lemon juice and lemon zest come together to add brightness and a tangy flavor to this kind of savory chicken and vegetables. Zest brightens the lemon flavor without pushing the soup into acidity overload.
Onion, Carrots, and Celery: Together, these veggies create the aromatic base for the soup. They cook down to lend flavor and nutrition to every bite.
Garlic: Garlic gives a gentle warmth and brings out the savory element in the soup.
Ground Thyme: A perfect partner to lemon and chicken, thyme adds a bit of earthy depth to the soup.
Salted Butter This recipe calls for a few tablespoons of butter that will melt in small chunks into the soup, smoothing it out and enveloping everything in a rich flavor.
Full ingredient quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page
Instructions:
Set Up Your Slow Cooker
Add Ingredients: Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of your slow cooker (boneless skinless). Add diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery and minced garlic, which will imbue the broth with rich flavors.
Add Lemon and Seasonings: Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon over the ingredients, and sprinkle with lemon zest and dried thyme. Scatter chunks of salted butter throughout for extra richness.
Add Broth and Season: Pour in chicken broth to cover, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently until combine all ingredients.
Cook
Cover: Put the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. The long cooking time helps the flavors penetrate, resulting in tender chicken and soft vegetables.
Shred and Simmer
Shred the Chicken: About 30 minutes prior to the soup’s finish, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred it with two forks on a cutting board and add to the soup.
Add Rice: Add minute rice to slow cooker. Cook on high for 30 minutes, letting the rice cook and absorb that delicious broth.
Garnish and Serve
Final Touches: When the rice is tender, spoon the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with the chopped fresh parsley, if using, for added color and flavor.
Serve piping hot: The Ultimate Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup: Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory vegetables in a cozy lemony broth. Ideal for cool, nippy evenings.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
This soup is excellent for leftovers and meal prep so you can keep eating it throughout the week!
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors will meld into each other, making it even more delicious on its second day.
Freezing
Allow the soup to cool completely before freezing, and then ladle it into freezer-friendly containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. To eat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or microwave it.
Reheating
To reheat, place in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. The soup may have thickened during storage, so add a little extra broth or water before serving it, to reach your desired consistency.
Recipe Variations to Try:
This lemony chicken soup is very versatile, so feel free to switch it up! Here are some variations:
Creamy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or a splash of coconut milk at the end for a creamy spin. This version is deliciously comforting and has a silky texture.
Earthy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Use orzo instead of the rice for a different-but-similar texture. Orzo pasta cooks quickly and provides a pillowy bite to the soup.
Lemony Chicken Soup with Vegetables
Use extra veggies like zucchini, baby spinach, and bell peppers. Stir in tender vegetables during the last hour of cooking for some added color and nutrition.
Lemon Chicken Soup With Greek-Inspired Flavors
Top with 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese and a sprinkle of fresh dill. The feta brings a savory creaminess and the dill deepens the lemony flavor.
Sopa De Arroz Con Pollo Picante Y Limón
If you like it spicy, stir in a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. The spice harmonizes with the lemon, and brings warmth.
Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup is one delicious way to warm up on chilly days. The tender chicken, buoyant rice and bright lemon merge to make a soup that’s light, restorative and deeply flavored. And using the slow cooker also gives you the ability to put everything in and keep it cooking while you go about your day, so dinner is a no-brainer.
So pull out your slow cooker, get your ingredients, and enjoy a big bowl of cozy comfort!
Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup minute rice
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4 whole carrots sliced
- 4 stalks celery sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 whole lemon juiced and zested
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp salted butter cut into chunks
- 1/8 tsp salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then add diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic. Squeeze lemon juice over ingredients, sprinkle with lemon zest, and add thyme. Distribute butter chunks, pour in chicken broth, and season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
- About 30 minutes before done, remove chicken breasts, shred, and return to the soup. Stir in the minute rice and cook on high for 30 more minutes.
- Once the rice is tender, ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the flavors of lemon-infused chicken and rice soup!