Crockpot Lemon Chicken Soup (Printable)

Tender chicken and vegetables in a zesty lemon broth, slow-cooked to perfection 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

09 - 1/2 cup uncooked white rice or orzo (optional)

→ 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 make it:

01 - Place chicken breasts or thighs at 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 cooker.
04 - Stir in thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper until combined.
05 - If using rice or orzo, add it to the mixture now.
06 - 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.
07 - Remove chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks, then return to the soup.
08 - Taste the soup and add more salt or pepper if needed.
09 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The lemon transforms an ordinary chicken soup into something bright and soul warming
  • Your slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day
  • Its naturally gluten free and dairy free without sacrificing flavor
02 -
  • The rice will continue absorbing liquid if you leave it in the cooker. If making this ahead cook the rice separately and add it when reheating.
  • Fresh lemon juice is non negotiable here. Bottled juice has a weird aftertaste that ruins the soup.
03 -
  • Use kitchen shears to shred the chicken right in the crockpot. Its faster and makes less mess than forks.
  • Zest your lemon before squeezing it. Much easier to handle a whole lemon than a squeezed one.

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