Ingredients:
1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup minute rice
6 cups chicken broth
1 diced onion
4 sliced carrots
4 sliced celery stalks
3 minced cloves of garlic
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons salted butter, cut into chunks
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Place the chicken, chicken broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried thyme, salt, pepper, and butter chunks into the slow cooker. Stir to blend the ingredients well.
Secure the lid and set the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. The goal is for the chicken to be thoroughly cooked and the rice perfectly tender.
Approximately 30 minutes before serving, remove the chicken to shred it, then return it to the cooker. Add the minute rice at this time as well. Continue cooking on high for another 30 minutes.
Once ready, serve the soup in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley.
Whether you’re seeking solace from the cold, recovery from illness, or simply a nourishing meal, this Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup stands as a testament to the power of simple ingredients to create something truly comforting and uplifting. Let this soup be your go-to for those times when your soul craves warmth, comfort, and a touch of zest, serving as a reminder of the bright, invigorating flavors life has to offer, even on the dreariest of days.