If you love the comforting flavors of classic Italian dishes but want something cozy and effortlessly delicious, this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe is your new go-to. Imagine tender chicken simmered with savory tomatoes, Italian herbs, and creamy cheese in a warming broth, all coming together slowly in your crockpot for an irresistible meal that tastes like it took all day but actually requires minimal hands-on time. It’s the perfect dish to cozy up with on cooler days or anytime you crave that familiar Chicken Parmesan flavor in a comforting, slurpy soup form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work together beautifully to create a rich, hearty soup. Each component plays a vital role to bring out the classic Italian essence and satisfying textures.
- Chicken breasts: The star protein that becomes tender and juicy after slow cooking.
- Minced garlic: Adds aromatic depth and a punch of savory flavor.
- Crushed tomatoes: Provides a robust, slightly chunky tomato base.
- Tomato sauce: Smoothens the tomato flavor and creates a luscious broth.
- Salt and ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all other flavors.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that delivers that unmistakable Italian taste.
- Chicken broth: Builds a flavorful liquid backbone for the soup.
- Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty, salty richness.
- Heavy whipping cream: Brings luxurious creaminess to balance the acidity of tomatoes.
- Rotini pasta: Provides delightful bite and holds onto the broth beautifully.
- Bread crumbs: Sautéed to crispy perfection for a crunchy topping.
- Butter: Used to brown the bread crumbs, boosting flavor and texture.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts atop each serving for cheesy indulgence.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe
Step 1: Combine Your Ingredients in the Crockpot
Start by placing the chicken breasts, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth into your crockpot. Give everything a good stir to blend the flavors. This combination creates the foundation for the soup, with each ingredient contributing to a rich and savory base.
Step 2: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover the crockpot and set to low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking melts the flavors together and ensures the chicken becomes incredibly tender and juicy. The aroma that fills your kitchen here is seriously hard to beat.
Step 3: Shred the Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it directly in the crockpot. This step is key for distributing that delicious protein evenly throughout the soup, ensuring every bite has that satisfying meaty texture.
Step 4: Add Cheese, Cream, and Pasta
Stir in the freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and uncooked rotini pasta. The cream adds decadence, while the Parmesan deepens the cheesy flavor. Cover the crockpot and continue cooking on low for 30 minutes or on high for 15 minutes until the pasta is perfectly tender.
Step 5: Make the Crispy Bread Crumb Topping
While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and sauté, stirring often, until golden and crispy—about 3 to 4 minutes. This topping adds a wonderful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy soup.
Step 6: Serve and Top
Ladle the soup into bowls and generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over each serving. Finish with a handful of those golden crispy bread crumbs for an irresistible, cheesy crunch.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Besides the mozzarella and crispy bread crumbs, fresh basil leaves or a light drizzle of balsamic glaze can brighten the soup beautifully. A grating of extra Parmesan on top instantly elevates the presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
This soup is hearty enough on its own but pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or warm garlic bread. The bread is perfect for dipping, soaking up all those amazing flavors at the bottom of your bowl.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the soup in rustic bread bowls to bring a fun, casual vibe to the meal, or ladle it over cooked pasta in a large serving dish for a family-style dinner. Individual ramekins with melted mozzarella on top make a charming appetizer or party offering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the soup has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even better the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze this soup, but leave out the pasta if possible before freezing to avoid mushiness. Store the soup without pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and adding fresh pasta.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the soup has thickened too much. If reheating leftovers with pasta, keep an eye to avoid overcooking the noodles.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add extra moisture and rich flavor to your Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe. Adjust cooking time slightly if needed, but they work wonderfully.
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream, and use vegan cheeses or omit them altogether. The soup will still be fantastic but with a different twist on its richness.
Can I prepare this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe in an Instant Pot?
You can adapt it for the Instant Pot by using the sauté function for the initial steps and then pressure cooking the chicken and broth mixture. Pasta should be added later and cooked separately to avoid mushiness.
What type of pasta works best in this soup?
Rotini is perfect because its spiral shape holds the soup well, but small shapes like ditalini, orzo, or even mini shells can work beautifully, too.
How can I make the soup spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the crockpot along with the Italian seasoning, or serve with a drizzle of spicy chili oil on top for some heat that complements the rich, creamy flavors.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe. It brings all the heartwarming flavors of classic Chicken Parmesan in a cozy, satisfying soup that’s easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to some comfort food magic, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to come back to time and time again. So grab your crockpot and get ready to make some soup memories!
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Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high) plus an additional 15-30 minutes for pasta cooking
- Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes (low) or 3 hours 40 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Description
This comforting Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Soup combines tender chicken, rich tomato broth, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta for a hearty meal. Slow-cooked to meld flavors, topped with crispy buttery breadcrumbs and melted mozzarella, it’s an easy, family-friendly recipe perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 4 cups chicken broth
Cheese and Dairy
- 1 cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Pasta and Toppings
- 8 oz rotini pasta (uncooked)
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Crockpot: Place the chicken breasts, minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and chicken broth into the crockpot. Stir everything together gently to combine the flavors.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the lid and shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks, mixing the shredded chicken into the broth mixture.
- Add Cheese, Cream, and Pasta: Stir in the freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and uncooked rotini pasta. Cover and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes or on high for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the bread crumbs and sauté, stirring frequently, until they are golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Serve the Soup: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and top each serving with shredded mozzarella cheese and a generous sprinkle of the crispy buttered breadcrumbs for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly shaved Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melting texture.
- Adjust the seasoning as per your taste by adding more Italian seasoning or garlic if desired.
- You can substitute rotini pasta with any small pasta shape like elbow macaroni or penne.
- For a thicker soup, use less chicken broth or cook pasta a little longer to absorb more liquid.
- Ensure you shred the chicken well for even distribution in the soup.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
