Crock Pot Chicken Minestrone Soup

This Crock Pot Chicken Minestrone Soup is a hearty and flavorful recipe, which includes shredded chicken and Cannelini beans. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 6 hours and 35 minutes.

Crock Pot Chicken Minestrone Soup Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 100 grams bacon, diced
• 1 leek (white parts only), washed and thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 large zucchini, diced
• 1 large potato, peeled and diced
• 790 grams crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 1 litre chicken stock
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 parmesan rind
• 400 grams Cannelini beans (canned)
• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup small gluten-free pasta

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Minestrone Soup

1. Sauté bacon and leeks: Turn the slow cooker to the sear function. Heat olive oil and cook the diced bacon until it begins to brown. Add the leeks and sauté until tender.
2. Add garlic and veggies: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Then add the diced carrots and celery, sautéing for another minute.
3. Incorporate seasoning and tomato paste: Add oregano, thyme, and tomato paste. Stir to combine and briefly sauté.
4. Add main ingredients: Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, and add the zucchini, potato, parmesan rind, beans, and chicken breasts. Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 6 hours.
5. Shred chicken and add pasta: At 5 hours and 30 minutes, remove the chicken breasts, shred them with two forks, and return them to the pot along with the pasta. Stir and cook for another 20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
6. Finish and serve: Season with salt and pepper. Remove the parmesan rind and serve hot, topped with shaved parmesan if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Can I make this without bacon?
  Yes, you can skip the bacon for a lighter version or replace it with turkey bacon or pancetta.
• What kind of pasta works best?
  Use small-shaped gluten-free pasta like ditalini or small shells for even cooking and texture.
• How to keep pasta from getting mushy:
  Add the pasta only in the last 20 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking.
• Can I use rotisserie chicken?
  Yes, add shredded rotisserie chicken during the last 20 minutes with the pasta.
• Is this soup freezer-friendly?
  Yes, but consider freezing it without the pasta for better texture when reheating.

What To Serve With Chicken Minestrone Soup

This hearty soup pairs well with simple sides like:

• Crusty garlic bread
• A green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Parmesan crisps

How To Store Chicken Minestrone Soup

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Freeze without the pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Add freshly cooked pasta when reheating.

Chicken Minestrone Soup Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 526
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 741mg
• Fiber: 9g
• Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?
Yes, vegetable stock works great if you want to make this soup slightly lighter or meat-free (excluding chicken and bacon).

Why is my soup too thick?
If the soup thickens too much, simply stir in extra chicken stock or water to reach your desired consistency.

Can I skip the parmesan rind?
Yes, but adding the rind enhances the soup’s flavor with a rich, umami depth.

Is this soup gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free pasta and double-check labels on canned ingredients.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Chicken Liver With Mushrooms
• Crock Pot Chicken Legs With Gravy
• Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Pasta