If you love Chicken Parmesan, but want a cozy twist on this classic, then you’ve got to try this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup! It’s everything you love about Chicken Parmesan—cheesy, saucy, and comforting— but in soup form. The best part? You don’t have to worry about frying chicken or standing over the stove. Just toss everything into your crockpot, let it simmer away, and in a few hours, you’ll have a hearty, delicious soup that’s perfect for any day of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup is the ultimate comfort food for busy days. It combines all the flavors of your favorite Chicken Parmesan dish in an easy-to-make soup form. With tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s like a warm, cozy hug in a bowl. Plus, the crockpot does all the work, so you can set it and forget it! It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or serving at a casual get-together.
Ingredients
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts (or thighs if you prefer dark meat)
- Marinara sauce
- Chicken broth
- Onion
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper
- Pasta (like spaghetti or rotini, your choice)
(Full list of ingredients and measurements will be provided below)
Directions
Step 1: Add the Chicken and Broth
Start by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. Pour in the chicken broth and add the marinara sauce along with the crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Add the Seasonings and Veggies
To the crockpot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good stir to make sure the chicken is covered with the broth and sauce mixture.
Step 3: Let It Cook
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will become tender and shred easily with a fork.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the soup and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the soup and stir everything together.
Step 5: Add the Pasta
Add your pasta to the soup and stir. If you want the pasta to cook in the soup, cover and cook on high for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the pasta is tender. Alternatively, you can cook the pasta separately and stir it in just before serving.
Step 6: Add the Cheese
Once the pasta is ready, stir in the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella. Let the soup sit for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the cheesy, comforting goodness!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- For Extra Flavor: If you want a little extra depth of flavor, you can sauté the onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil before adding them to the crockpot. This will enhance their sweetness and fragrance.
- Thicker Soup: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little water at the end of the cooking time. Stir it in and let it cook for another 10 minutes to thicken up.
- Cheese Lovers: Feel free to add more mozzarella on top of the soup just before serving for that extra cheesy layer. You can even broil it for a minute or two to get that melted golden cheese crust.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs work perfectly in this recipe. They stay juicy and tender, and will add more flavor to the soup.
- Dairy-Free Version: For a dairy-free version, simply skip the mozzarella and Parmesan and use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Coconut milk can also be used to replace the creaminess of the dairy.
- Vegetarian: If you want to make this soup vegetarian, you can replace the chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it fully plant-based.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup is a meal all on its own, but here are a few sides to round out the meal:
- Garlic Bread: You can’t go wrong with a warm, crispy garlic bread to dip into the cheesy soup.
- Salad: A fresh side salad with a simple balsamic vinaigrette is a great way to balance out the richness of the soup.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or carrots make a great healthy side that complements the cheesy goodness of the soup.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This soup stores really well! Simply place the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave. If you find that the soup has thickened too much as it sits, you can always add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up.
If you want to store it longer, this soup freezes wonderfully! Just let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It will last up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove.
4 FAQs
- Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just make sure to cook it on high for a longer time (around 4-5 hours), and be sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before shredding. - Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Any small pasta shape like rotini, penne, or even orzo works great in this soup. - Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Just store it in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready to eat. - Is this recipe spicy?
No, this recipe is not spicy. However, if you like some heat, you can easily add red pepper flakes to the soup or stir in some hot sauce when serving.
Conclusion
This Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup is the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and packed with all the cheesy goodness you love. Whether you’re feeding a family on a busy weeknight or prepping for a cozy weekend meal, this soup will satisfy everyone’s cravings. The best part? It’s all made in the crockpot, so you can enjoy a rich, delicious meal without any hassle. Give it a try, and I promise it will become a new favorite in your recipe rotation!
Print
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (on low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (on high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: Italian, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy twist on Chicken Parmesan, this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup combines tender chicken, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, all simmered in your crockpot for an easy, comforting meal. No frying or fuss required!
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Marinara sauce: 24 oz (about 3 cups)
- Chicken broth: 4 cups
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Italian seasoning: 2 teaspoons
- Parmesan cheese: 1 cup, grated
- Mozzarella cheese: 1 1/2 cups, shredded
- Crushed tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 oz)
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (to taste)
- Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
- Pasta: 2 cups (spaghetti, rotini, or your choice)
Instructions
- Add the Chicken and Broth: Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Add chicken broth, marinara sauce, and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Add the Seasonings and Veggies: Add chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together.
- Let It Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the soup, shred it with two forks, and return it to the soup.
- Add the Pasta: Add pasta and cook on high for 30-40 minutes or until tender (alternatively, cook pasta separately and stir it in).
- Add the Cheese: Stir in grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella. Let sit until the cheese melts.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Extra Flavor: Sauté the onion and garlic before adding to the crockpot for extra depth of flavor.
- Thicker Soup: For a thicker soup, add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water toward the end of cooking and stir.
- Cheese Lovers: Add more mozzarella on top or broil for a crispy cheese layer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg