Description
This Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts, a creamy blend of cheeses, savory Italian seasonings, and hearty pasta. Slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot, this soup delivers rich and indulgent flavors with minimal effort, making it an ideal meal for busy days or cozy nights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Liquids & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups chicken broth
Seasonings & Pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant to enhance the flavors.
- Prepare Crock Pot Base: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic mixture into the crock pot, spreading evenly to form the flavor base for the soup.
- Add Chicken and Liquids: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the onion and garlic mixture in the crock pot. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken, ensuring it is partially submerged. Then add the heavy cream and gently stir to combine.
- Add Cheeses and Tomatoes: Cube the cream cheese and add it to the crock pot. Stir well to help the cream cheese dissolve while cooking. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese, then pour the undrained diced tomatoes into the mix. Stir everything together thoroughly.
- Season the Soup: Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the crock pot. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the soup mixture.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. This slow cooking will tenderize the chicken and blend all the flavors beautifully.
- Shred Chicken: After cooking, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return the shredded chicken to the crock pot. Stir to incorporate the meat evenly.
- Cook Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the crock pot and mix it well to ensure even distribution. Cover again and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes on high or until the pasta is tender and fully cooked.
- Final Stir and Garnish: Once the pasta is cooked, give the soup a good stir to combine everything evenly. Garnish with freshly chopped basil right before serving.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- You can use any small pasta shapes like penne or rotini; avoid large or stuffed pastas as they may not cook evenly in the crock pot.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the chicken broth to 3 cups and increase the cream slightly.
- To make this recipe lower in fat, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use reduced-fat cheeses, but the texture will be less rich.
- For added vegetables, consider adding sliced mushrooms or spinach about 30 minutes before the pasta step.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup, Crock Pot Chicken Soup, Slow Cooker Soup, Italian Chicken Soup, Comfort Food Soup
