This Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup is the ultimate comfort dish, combining tender shredded chicken, hearty vegetables, and fluffy rice in a refreshing, lemony broth. The slow cooking allows all the ingredients to meld beautifully, creating a warm, savory soup that’s both flavorful and nourishing.
The addition of lemon juice and zest adds a bright, tangy contrast that enhances the savory base of chicken broth and thyme. The minute rice, added towards the end, quickly absorbs the rich broth, making each bite satisfying and filling. Fresh parsley sprinkled on top gives each bowl a touch of color and a subtle herbaceous finish, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
This recipe is perfect for meal prep or a cozy family dinner, bringing warmth to your table with minimal effort. Enjoy each spoonful of tender chicken, wholesome rice, and vibrant vegetables—comfort food at its finest!
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup:
Bright and Flavorful: The lemon juice and zest add a refreshing brightness that elevates the savory broth, making this soup feel light and balanced.
Easy Slow Cooker Recipe: With everything cooked in one pot, this soup requires minimal hands-on time, leaving you free to tackle other things.
Nutritious and Hearty: Packed with lean protein, vegetables, and rice, this soup is a complete meal that’s both comforting and nourishing.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup reheats well, making it great for leftovers or meal prepping for the week ahead.
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Key Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts: Lean and protein-packed, boneless, skinless chicken breasts become tender and shred easily after slow cooking. You can also use chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor.
Minute Rice: Minute rice cooks quickly and is perfect for slow cooker soups. If using long-grain or brown rice, add it in at the start, as these take longer to cook.
Chicken Broth: The base of the soup, chicken broth adds flavor and depth. Opt for low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness.
Lemon Juice and Zest: The juice and zest of fresh lemon add a bright, tangy flavor that complements the savory chicken and vegetables. Lemon zest intensifies the lemon flavor without making the soup too acidic.
Onion, Carrots, and Celery: These veggies form the aromatic base for the soup. They cook down to add flavor and nutrition to each bite.
Garlic: Garlic adds a subtle warmth and enhances the overall savory profile of the soup.
Dried Thyme: Thyme pairs wonderfully with lemon and chicken, adding an earthy depth to the soup.
Salted Butter: Small chunks of butter melt into the soup, creating a rich, smooth texture and rounding out the flavors.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions:
1. Set Up Your Slow Cooker
Add Ingredients: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Layer in diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and minced garlic, which will infuse the broth with rich flavors.
Add Lemon and Seasonings: Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the ingredients, sprinkle with lemon zest, and add dried thyme. Distribute chunks of salted butter throughout for added richness.
Pour in Broth and Season: Add chicken broth to cover, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
2. Cook
Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. The extended cooking time allows flavors to meld, resulting in tender chicken and soft vegetables.
3. Shred and Simmer
Shred the Chicken: About 30 minutes before the soup is done, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred them with two forks on a cutting board and return to the soup.
Add Rice: Stir in minute rice to the slow cooker. Continue cooking on high for 30 minutes, allowing the rice to cook and absorb the flavorful broth.
4. Garnish and Serve
Final Touches: Once the rice is tender, ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
Serve Hot: Enjoy the comforting combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory vegetables in a lemon-infused broth. Perfect for cozy, chilly nights.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
This soup is great for leftovers and meal prep, so you can enjoy it all week long!
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even more delicious the next day.
Freezing
To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. If the soup has thickened after storage, add a bit of extra broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Recipe Variations to Try:
This lemony chicken soup is versatile, so don’t be afraid to mix things up! Here are some variations:
1. Creamy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a splash of coconut milk at the end for a creamy twist. This version is deliciously comforting with a silky texture.
2. Herb & Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Substitute orzo for the rice for a slightly different texture. Orzo pasta cooks quickly and adds a delicate bite to the soup.
3. Vegetable-Packed Lemon Chicken Soup
Add extra vegetables like zucchini, baby spinach, or bell peppers. Stir in tender veggies during the last hour of cooking for added color and nutrition.
4. Greek-Inspired Lemon Chicken Soup
Add 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese as a garnish and include a sprinkle of fresh dill. The feta adds a savory creaminess, while the dill complements the lemon flavor.
5. Spicy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
For a kick of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. The spice balances the lemon and adds warmth.
Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup is a delightful way to warm up on cool days. The tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vibrant lemon flavor come together to create a soup that’s light, nourishing, and incredibly flavorful. Plus, with the convenience of the slow cooker, you can set it up and let it cook while you go about your day, making dinnertime a breeze.
So grab your slow cooker, gather 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!