A chilly day calls for a warm supper, like this slow cooker chicken noodle soup. This soup is full of taste and nutrients and is made with tender chicken, nutritious veggies, and whole wheat pasta. The preparation is made simple by the slow cooker, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice gives it a zesty, tart finish. Try it, then savor a bowl of this delectable soup as you warm up.
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Ingredients
1 cup sliced celery
4 carrots, sliced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds uncooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 2″ pieces (note that breast meat tends to get dryer than thigh meat when cooked in the slow cooker)
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
3 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, fat free preferred
1 bay leaf
Add when done
8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti, broken into small pieces
1/4 cup fresh, chopped, Italian parsley, to serve
1-2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, to taste
Directions
- Add the vegetables and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker, and the chicken on top, sprinkle in the thyme, oregano, chili flakes, and salt and pepper.
- Pour in the stock and add in the bay leaf. Cook for 6-8 hours on low in the slow cooker, or until carrots are tender. If necessary, skim off any foam that has floated to the top of the soup and discard.
- Around 15 minutes before ready to serve, cook the broken up pasta separately on the stovetop according to package directions and drain.
- Stir in the noodles and chopped parsley just before serving. Then stir in one tablespoon of the lemon juice last. Taste and add in more lemon juice, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 338 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 66mg |
| Sodium | 738mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 32g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Protein | 29g |