Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe

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Are you looking for a meal that offers all the comforting, hearty flavours of a classic Italian favourite without needing to spend hours in the kitchen? Picture the delightful combination of rich tomato sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese from a traditional Chicken Parmesan, cleverly transformed into a soul-warming soup that practically prepares itself. If so, your search is over. We are thrilled to share how you can create the most wonderful Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup, a recipe we’re confident will become a staple in your meal plan and a firm favourite with the whole family.

More than just a simple soup, this is a complete and deeply satisfying meal in a bowl. It serves as the perfect solution for those hectic weeknights when you yearn for something wholesome and delicious but simply don’t have the time or energy for a complex cooking session. It’s one of those fantastic easy family dinner ideas that feels like a genuine treat. If you appreciate set-and-forget meals that deliver impressive flavour, you might also want to try our Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe, which is another family-friendly twist on a classic.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavour: We adore recipes where the slow cooker handles the bulk of the work. With just a small amount of preparation, you can return home to the wonderful aroma of an Italian kitchen and a dinner that’s all set to be enjoyed.
  • A Comfort Food Mash-Up: This dish perfectly blends the best elements of two cherished classics—the heartiness of a traditional soup and the iconic, cheesy delight of Chicken Parmesan. It is the ultimate comfort in a bowl.
  • Incredibly Family-Friendly: It’s hard to imagine anyone resisting tender chicken, a savoury tomato broth, pasta, and a generous topping of melted cheese. This is a meal that will have children and adults alike asking for more.
  • Perfectly Cheesy & Satisfying: This is by no means a light, brothy soup. It’s a rich, substantial, and wonderfully cheesy chicken soup that eats like a full meal. The blend of Parmesan and gooey mozzarella is simply heavenly.
  • Great for Meal Prep: This soup tastes even more delicious the following day, as the flavours have had more time to meld and deepen. For the best leftovers, just be sure to store the soup and pasta in separate containers.

Ingredients

  • 900g (approx. 2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes
  • 1.2 litres (approx. 5 cups) chicken broth or stock
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
  • 120g (approx. 4 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 200g (approx. 2 cups) small pasta, such as ditalini, shells, or macaroni
  • 100g (approx. 1 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • 150g (approx. 1.5 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

How to Make the Perfect Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup

Putting together this delicious masterpiece is remarkably easy. We’ve outlined the process in a few simple-to-follow steps to guarantee flawless results every single time. It’s time to let your slow cooker work its magic!

  1. Build the Flavour Base: Begin by adding the diced onion, minced garlic, chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and the optional sugar to your slow cooker pot. Give everything a thorough stir to combine. These ingredients create the rich, aromatic foundation for the soup.
  2. Add the Chicken: Gently place the chicken breasts into the tomato and broth mixture, making sure they are mostly covered by the liquid. This ensures the chicken cooks slowly and evenly, becoming incredibly tender while soaking up all those beautiful Italian flavours.
  3. Let the Slow Cooker Work: Secure the lid on your crockpot and select your cooking time. You can cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. We find that the low and slow approach produces the most tender chicken, making it one of our favourite italian crockpot meals.
  4. Shred and Enrich: Once the cooking is complete, carefully lift the chicken breasts out and place them onto a cutting board. Use two forks to pull the meat apart into shreds—it should be very tender. While the chicken is out, find and discard the bay leaf. Add the softened cream cheese to the crockpot and whisk it into the hot liquid until it has melted completely and the soup is lovely and creamy. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir to combine.
  5. Cook the Pasta: Around 20 minutes before serving, cook your chosen pasta in a separate pot of salted, boiling water, following the package instructions until it’s al dente. We really recommend cooking the pasta separately to stop it from going soggy and absorbing too much of the lovely soup broth. A top-notch slow cooker pasta soup is all about achieving the perfect texture!
  6. Assemble and Serve: To serve, drain the pasta and add a portion to the bottom of each serving bowl. Ladle the hot chicken soup over the pasta. Now for the most exciting part: top it all off with a generous sprinkle of both grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella. Finish with a little chopped fresh basil or parsley for a burst of colour and freshness.

Expert Tips for the Best Soup Ever

If you want to elevate your soup from simply great to truly unforgettable, here are a handful of our best tips and tricks.

Why Separate the Pasta?

We understand the temptation to cook the pasta directly in the crockpot, but we strongly advise against it. Pasta that is slow-cooked for a long time will become overly soft and mushy. By cooking it separately and adding it to individual bowls upon serving, you guarantee that every bite has the ideal texture. It also ensures that any leftovers will be just as good, as the pasta won’t continue to soak up liquid in the stored soup.

Get That Authentic “Parm” Topping

For an experience that truly echoes a classic Chicken Parmesan, that golden, bubbling cheese topping is a must. If your bowls are oven-safe, ladle in the soup and pasta, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and pop them under a hot grill for a minute or two until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Do keep a very close eye on them, as they can catch quickly!

Fun Variations to Try

While this recipe is wonderful just as it is, we encourage you to make it your own!

  • Add Some Veggies: Finely chopped carrots and celery can be included with the onions at the start for additional flavour and nutrients. You could also stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach right at the end, allowing it just enough time to wilt.
  • A Hint of Spice: For those who enjoy a little bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the other dried herbs will provide a gentle warmth.
  • For a Crispier Texture: If you find yourself missing the traditional breaded chicken, you can pan-fry breaded chicken cutlets until golden, slice them, and arrange them over the soup before you add the cheese. If you enjoy playing with chicken recipes, our Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are another brilliant option.

Storing and Reheating Your Soup

One of the brilliant aspects of this soup is how well it stores. To save it for later, allow the soup base to cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store any leftover cooked pasta in a separate container. To reheat, just warm the soup gently on the hob or in the microwave. Add the pasta to your bowl right before serving to keep its texture perfect. For food safety, always ensure chicken is reheated until it is piping hot. You can find reliable advice on reheating food from the UK Food Standards Agency.

FAQ

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Of course! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a wonderful substitute in this recipe. They have a slightly higher fat content, which makes them exceptionally tender and flavourful, and they hold up very well to slow cooking.

Q: How can I make this soup gluten-free?
A: Adapting this recipe to be gluten-free is very straightforward. You just need to substitute the standard pasta with your preferred gluten-free alternative. It’s also wise to check that your chicken broth is certified gluten-free, as some brands can contain hidden gluten.

Q: Can I freeze this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup?
A: Yes, this soup freezes beautifully, which makes it an excellent meal to have ready for a busy day. We suggest freezing the soup base by itself, without the pasta or any cheese topping. Let it cool fully, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge, reheat thoroughly, and enjoy with freshly cooked pasta and cheese.

Q: Can I prepare any of the ingredients in advance?
A: Absolutely. To get a head start on a busy morning, you can chop your onion and mince the garlic the night before, storing them in a sealed container in the fridge. You can also pre-measure all your dried herbs and spices into a small dish so they are ready to be added straight into the crockpot.

A New Family Favourite Awaits

This Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup really does offer the best of everything: it’s incredibly simple to prepare, filled with the nostalgic flavours of a beloved classic, and provides a warm, comforting meal that everyone around the dinner table will love. This recipe is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice flavour on your most hectic days. It’s the ideal way to gather the family for a delicious and stress-free meal.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out your slow cooker, gather your ingredients, and prepare to enjoy a bowl of pure, unadulterated comfort. If you give this recipe a go, we’d be delighted if you left a comment and rating below to let us know how you got on. We always love to hear from our readers!

Meta Description: Create the ultimate cosy meal with our incredible Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup! An easy and flavourful slow cooker recipe, this cheesy chicken soup makes the perfect family dinner. Enjoy tender chicken in a rich tomato base with a gorgeous melted cheese topping.

Recipe Card


Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup


Pin Recipe
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 3-4 hours (High) or 6-8 hours (Low)
Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 900g (approx. 2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes
  • 1.2 litres (approx. 5 cups) chicken broth or stock
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
  • 120g (approx. 4 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 200g (approx. 2 cups) small pasta, such as ditalini or shells
  • 100g (approx. 1 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 150g (approx. 1.5 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add diced onion, minced garlic, chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, oregano, basil, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and optional sugar to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  2. Place the chicken breasts into the mixture, ensuring they are mostly submerged.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
  4. Carefully remove the chicken and shred it using two forks. Discard the bay leaf from the pot.
  5. Whisk the softened cream cheese into the hot broth until smooth and creamy. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir.
  6. Cook pasta in a separate pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  7. To serve, place a portion of pasta into each bowl, ladle the hot soup over it, and top generously with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 472,
Carbs: 24 g,
Protein: 52 g,
Fat: 15 g

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