Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup
Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup is a rich and comforting slow-cooked soup that blends tender chicken, savory crushed tomatoes, creamy Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs into a hearty and flavorful meal. Perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights, this easy-to-make soup delivers warmth, nutrition, and satisfying textures in every bowl.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
Liquids & Dairy
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 1/2 cup finely minced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Prepare the ingredients: Chop the onion and garlic finely, measure out dried basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and any optional crushed red pepper flakes. Grate the Parmesan cheese fresh to ensure better melting and flavor.
- Layer ingredients in the crock pot: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot. Pour the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth over the chicken. Add the minced garlic, onion, dried basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes evenly on top. This layering promotes even flavor distribution during cooking.
- Slow cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily.
- Shred the chicken and add cream: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the crock pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and the grated Parmesan cheese gradually to create a smooth, creamy consistency without clumps.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Let the soup simmer in the crock pot for an additional 10-15 minutes to thicken slightly, then serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese for superior flavor and melting quality.
- Don’t skip shredding the chicken; it ensures tenderness and even distribution in the soup.
- Layer ingredients and season in stages for deeper, more complex flavors.
- Cooking on low heat for a longer period yields the best taste and texture.
- Add Parmesan cheese slowly to avoid clumping and maintain a creamy texture.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast, keeping in mind flavor changes.
- Freeze soup without cream and cheese; add fresh when reheating to retain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan soup, creamy chicken soup, crock pot chicken soup, slow cooker soup, Italian chicken soup, comfort food, gluten free soup