Description
A creamy, comforting, and easy chicken Parmesan soup made in a crock pot, ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights with tender chicken, garlic, Parmesan, and pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 200g)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 100g)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 ounces uncooked small pasta shapes like orzo or ditalini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach
- Optional: 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Transfer sautéed onions and garlic to the crock pot. Add chicken breasts, chicken broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for about 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks.
- Return shredded chicken to the crock pot. Stir in uncooked pasta and heavy cream.
- Cover and cook on high for another 8-10 minutes until pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Remove lid and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- If using, stir in fresh spinach or sliced mushrooms and let wilt for 1-2 minutes.
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
[‘Do not rush the sauté step; it unlocks deeper flavors.’, ‘Use freshly grated Parmesan to avoid grainy texture.’, ‘Check pasta at 7 minutes to avoid mushiness.’, ‘If soup is too thick after adding cheese, thin with extra broth or milk.’, ‘Prep veggies and spices ahead to save time.’, ‘Adding a tablespoon of butter at the end adds richness and gloss.’, ‘For gluten-free, swap pasta with gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice.’, ‘To make soup ahead, cook without pasta and cream; add them when reheating.’, ‘Reheat gently with broth or milk to maintain creaminess.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximatel
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crock pot, chicken Parmesan, soup, creamy soup, easy dinner, slow cooker, comfort food, weeknight meal