Description
A hearty and healthy Crockpot Chicken Minestrone soup packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta simmered in a flavorful Italian herb broth. Perfect for a comforting meal with minimal prep and slow cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Additions
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow)
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in crockpot: Add the diced chicken breasts, onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, diced tomatoes with juices, cannellini beans, kidney beans, chicken broth, dried basil, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper into the crockpot. Stir everything together to combine the flavors evenly.
- Slow cook the soup: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are fully cooked through.
- Add zucchini and pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the diced zucchini and the small pasta. Re-cover and continue cooking until the pasta becomes tender, absorbing the delicious broth.
- Finish with spinach and olive oil: Just prior to serving, stir in the chopped fresh spinach and drizzle the olive oil over the soup. Adjust seasoning by tasting and adding more salt or pepper as desired.
- Serve hot: Ladle the hearty minestrone into bowls and enjoy a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta or omit it for a low-carb version.
- Adding a parmesan rind during cooking enhances the broth’s depth of flavor; remove before serving.
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt content and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- The crushed red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted for a milder soup.
