🍲 Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup 🥄🍞
A warm, comforting soup that brings the flavors of a classic chicken pot pie into a creamy, hearty bowl. With tender chicken, potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a velvety smooth broth, this Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup is the perfect dish for chilly evenings or when you’re craving a delicious, homey meal without much fuss. The best part? You can throw everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work for you.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6-8):
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 🍗
2 cups red potatoes, cubed 🥔
16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, and green beans work great) 🌽🥕
2 ½ cups water 💧
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon paste 🍗
1 ½ cups whole milk 🥛
¾ cup all-purpose flour 🌾
½ teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
½ teaspoon onion powder 🧅
1 teaspoon dried thyme 🌿 (optional, but adds extra flavor)
Salt and pepper, to taste 🧂
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Slow Cooker:
Add the Chicken: Begin by adding the cubed chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker. You can use fresh or frozen chicken, but if using frozen, make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Add the Vegetables: Pour in the cubed red potatoes and the frozen mixed vegetables. The potatoes add heartiness, while the vegetables bring a lovely sweetness and color to the soup.
2. Mix the Broth:
Water and Bouillon: In a separate bowl, combine the water and chicken bouillon paste. Stir until the paste is dissolved completely. This will form the base of your soup’s savory broth.
Seasoning: Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme (if using). Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Pour Over the Ingredients: Pour the seasoned broth mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Stir everything to combine, ensuring that all ingredients are submerged in the broth.
3. Slow Cook the Soup:
Set the Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be tender, and the vegetables should be cooked through.
Shred the Chicken: Once the soup has finished cooking, remove the chicken breasts and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. You can return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker or leave it out if you prefer to serve it separately.
4. Make the Creamy Base:
Prepare the Roux: In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter (or use oil if you prefer). Once melted, whisk in the ¾ cup of flour to create a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste.
Add the Milk: Slowly pour in the whole milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook and whisk for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
Incorporate the Creamy Base into the Soup: Slowly add the creamy mixture to the slow cooker, stirring it in to combine. The soup should become rich and velvety at this point.
5. Final Seasoning:
Taste and Adjust: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper to your liking. If you prefer a thicker soup, you can let it cook for another 15-20 minutes with the lid off to allow it to reduce slightly.
6. Serve:
Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme if desired for an extra touch of color and flavor.
Serve with a Side: This soup pairs wonderfully with warm biscuits or crusty bread to soak up all the creamy goodness. Alternatively, serve with a light salad to balance out the richness.
🍴 Serving Suggestions:
For a Hearty Meal: This soup is a meal in itself, but it can be paired with a side of garlic bread or roasted vegetables for added texture and flavor.
For a Creamier Option: If you love extra creaminess, add a few extra splashes of heavy cream or half-and-half when finishing off the soup for a richer consistency.
Kids’ Favorite: This soup is a great option for picky eaters, as it’s mild, comforting, and packed with familiar flavors. They’ll love dipping their bread into the creamy soup.
🌟 Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup:
Comfort in a Bowl: This soup captures all the comforting flavors of a chicken pot pie but in a much easier, more convenient format. It’s the perfect dish for cozy evenings or when you’re craving something warm and filling.
Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: With just a little prep time and the help of your slow cooker, you can have a rich, flavorful soup simmering away with minimal effort.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences. Use different vegetables like peas, corn, or green beans or even swap out the chicken for turkey for a festive twist. Want to make it a bit heartier? Add some biscuits or crusty bread to the soup for a complete meal.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup makes excellent leftovers. In fact, it gets even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together. Store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Simply reheat and enjoy!
🧑🍳 Tips for Success:
For the Best Flavor: If you have time, consider browning the chicken breasts in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. This will add an extra layer of flavor to your soup, but it’s not necessary for a delicious meal.
Make It Gluten-Free: If you’re looking for a gluten-free version, simply swap the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour or cornstarch. You may need to adjust the amount slightly to achieve the desired thickness.
Veggie Additions: Feel free to add any extra vegetables you love! Try adding celery, parsnips, or butternut squash for a variation on the classic recipe.
Control the Creaminess: For a lighter version, reduce the amount of flour and milk used. Alternatively, use half-and-half or light cream instead of whole milk to reduce the richness.
Freezer-Friendly: This soup is also freezer-friendly! To freeze, cool the soup completely and store it in an airtight container. When ready to serve, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.
🍽️ Final Thoughts:
This Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup is the perfect blend of ease and comfort. It’s everything you love about chicken pot pie but without the hassle of pie crusts. The creamy broth, tender chicken, and hearty potatoes make it a cozy, satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. Plus, with minimal prep and the convenience of the slow cooker, it’s a win for both busy nights and relaxing weekends. Enjoy! 😋