Description
Creamy chicken parmesan soup delivers Italian comfort in a slow cooker bowl. Rich ingredients meld together, creating a hearty meal packed with classic flavors you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheeses:
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Liquid and Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces) chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Thickeners:
- 1 cup uncooked small pasta (ditalini)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Arrange chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour in chicken broth, creating a flavorful base with diced tomatoes and aromatic seasonings.
- Seal the lid and allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes perfectly tender.
- Carefully disintegrate the cooked chicken into delicate shreds using two forks, then return the meat to the slow cooker.
- Introduce rich dairy elements by gently folding in heavy cream and sprinkling Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
- For enhanced thickness, whisk cornstarch with water and incorporate into the soup, creating a luxurious texture.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the creamy liquid and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes until pasta reaches al dente consistency.
- Complete the dish by adorning with freshly chopped herbs, releasing vibrant green colors and aromatic notes before serving.
Notes
- Optimize chicken tenderness by choosing boneless, skinless chicken breasts with minimal fat for a smoother texture.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Reduce calories by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and selecting low-fat cheese options.
- Enhance flavor depth by adding a splash of white wine or a pinch of red pepper flakes during initial cooking for subtle complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg