Description
This Slow Cooker Lentil and Chicken Soup is a hearty, nutritious meal perfect for cozy days. Combining tender chicken thighs, green or brown lentils, vegetables, and warm spices, it simmers slowly to develop deep flavors with minimal hands-on time. It’s an effortless and comforting dish that’s ideal for meal prep or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 1 pound dried lentils (green or brown)
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 24 ounces), all fat trimmed (or use chicken breast)
- 2 cartons (32 ounces each) chicken broth
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, diced
- 1/4 cup sofrito (see recipe link or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Place all the ingredients—lentils, chicken thighs, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, carrots, sofrito, turmeric, cumin, Adobo seasoning, salt, and black pepper—directly into a 6-quart slow cooker. Give it a gentle stir to combine everything evenly.
- Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the high setting for 4 hours or on the low setting for 8 hours. This slow simmer allows the lentils and chicken to become tender and infuse the broth with rich flavor.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken thighs and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to distribute the meat throughout the soup.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or Adobo seasoning if desired to suit your preferences. Stir to incorporate the seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. This soup pairs well with warm crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the spices.
- Use chicken breasts for a leaner option, but chicken thighs provide more tenderness and flavor.
- Rinse lentils thoroughly before adding to remove any debris.
- Sofrito can be homemade or store-bought; it adds depth and aromatic flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Adjust liquid amounts if you prefer a thicker or thinner soup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
