If you’re looking for a soul-warming meal that’s both hearty and vibrant, you have to try this Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of tender shredded chicken, wholesome beans, fresh spinach, and aromatic vegetables simmered to perfection all day in the slow cooker. Every spoonful carries the essence of rustic Tuscan kitchens infused with a comforting homemade touch, making it the perfect go-to for busy days or cozy nights. Trust me, once you’ve tasted this, it will quickly become one of your favorite soups to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together effortlessly. Each element adds a unique layer of flavor, color, and texture to make the soup truly special and nourishing.
- Shredded rotisserie chicken: Fully cooked and shredded for tenderness and a rich, savory base.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Provides a flavorful liquid foundation while keeping sodium levels in check.
- Water: Balances the broth to ensure the soup isn’t too concentrated.
- Garlic (minced): Adds a warm, aromatic punch that elevates the entire dish.
- Yellow onion (diced): Brings subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Carrots (peeled and diced): Contribute natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Celery (diced): Provides a light crunch and classic soup aroma.
- Great Northern beans (drained and rinsed): Offer creamy texture and protein-packed heartiness.
- Bay leaves: Infuse a mild herbal flavor that gently perfumes the soup.
- Baby spinach: Adds freshness and a gorgeous green color with nutritional benefits.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the flavors.
How to Make Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Step 1: Combine your hearty ingredients
Begin by placing the shredded rotisserie chicken, minced garlic, diced yellow onion, peeled and diced carrots, diced celery, drained Great Northern beans, and bay leaves into your slow cooker. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the mix to start layering in that beautiful seasoning right away. This hearty combination lays the foundation for rich, comforting flavor.
Step 2: Add the liquids and greens
Next, pour in the four cups of low-sodium chicken broth along with two cups of water. The broth brings warmth and savoriness while the water helps keep the soup light and balanced. Stir in the fresh baby spinach right at this stage so it wilts gently as the soup cooks, contributing vibrant color and a lovely nutrient boost.
Step 3: Set the slow cooker and let magic happen
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low heat for 7 to 8 hours or high heat for 3 to 4 hours if you’re short on time. This slow, steady cooking lets all those flavors meld beautifully while the chicken remains tender and the veggies soften just right. There’s something undeniably cozy about coming home to a kitchen filled with the aromatic promise of this soup simmering away.
Step 4: Serve immediately and enjoy
Once done, give the soup a gentle stir, discard the bay leaves, and ladle into bowls. This soup is at its peak freshness and flavor right off the crockpot, perfect for warming up any day.
How to Serve Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate the soup by adding a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese and a crack of black pepper on top. A drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil or a few torn fresh basil leaves also enhances the Tuscan vibes, making each spoonful irresistible.
Side Dishes
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe pairs beautifully with crusty artisan bread or warm garlic breadsticks, perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop. A simple mixed greens salad with a lemon vinaigrette also complements the soup’s richness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, serve the soup in rustic bread bowls for an eye-catching presentation that keeps the soup piping hot. Alternatively, layering some toasted pine nuts or crushed red pepper flakes on top adds an exciting textural contrast and a slight kick of flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making leftovers a delicious treat.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags, leaving room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months and enjoy a ready-made, nourishing meal anytime you need a quick comfort fix.
Reheating
When reheating, warm the soup gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup thickens too much after refrigeration or freezing, simply add a splash of broth or water to reach your preferred consistency.
FAQs
Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! You can use raw chicken breasts or thighs cooked in the slow cooker until tender, then shredded. However, using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds a lovely pre-seasoned flavor to the Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, just substitute the rotisserie chicken for hearty mushrooms or extra beans, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep the flavors rich and satisfying.
Can I add pasta or rice to this soup?
Definitely! Adding small pasta shapes or cooked rice can turn this into an even more filling meal. Just be mindful to add them toward the end of cooking or cook separately and add when serving to avoid them getting too mushy.
How spicy is this soup?
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe is mild and comforting in flavor. If you like a bit of heat, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes either while cooking or as a topping.
Do I need to soak the beans before adding them?
No soaking needed here because this recipe uses canned Great Northern beans that have already been cooked. Just make sure to drain and rinse them well before adding to reduce sodium and any canned flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe is a gem for those who appreciate food that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. With minimal effort and simple ingredients, you get a richly flavored, wholesome meal that’s perfect for any season. I encourage you to try making it soon — it’s comforting, nourishing, and shares the best of Tuscan-inspired home cooking with everyone around your table.
Print
Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Tuscan / Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This comforting Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Soup is a hearty and nutritious meal perfect for any day. Made with shredded rotisserie chicken, Great Northern beans, fresh vegetables, and baby spinach, all simmered slowly to meld the flavors, this soup is easy to prepare and warmingly delicious.
Ingredients
Protein and Beans
- 1½ pounds shredded rotisserie chicken (fully cooked)
- 30 ounces Great Northern beans (drained and rinsed, equivalent to 2 (15-ounce) cans)
Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 3 carrots (peeled and diced)
- 3 ribs celery (diced)
- 4 cups baby spinach
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place shredded rotisserie chicken, minced garlic, diced yellow onion, peeled and diced carrots, diced celery, drained and rinsed Great Northern beans, and bay leaves into a large slow cooker. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Add Liquids and Spinach: Pour in 4 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and 2 cups of water. Stir in 4 cups of baby spinach, mixing well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook the soup on low heat for 7 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop fully and the vegetables to soften.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and serve the soup immediately while warm and flavorful.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh chicken breast if you prefer, but using rotisserie chicken adds convenient flavor.
- If you want a thicker soup, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Fresh spinach can be added at the end of cooking if you prefer a slightly less wilted texture.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to suit your taste; sometimes additional salt or pepper may be needed after slow cooking.
- For a dairy-free version, this recipe works well as is without any modifications.
