Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Sausage Soup
Cozy up with a bowl of Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Sausage Soup, a wholesome and flavor-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. This comforting soup combines the bold savoriness of fully cooked chicken sausage with nutrient-rich vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and baby spinach, all simmered in a robust, herb-infused chicken broth. A touch of quinoa or orzo adds a satisfying texture, while aromatic garlic and a hint of lemon juice elevate the dish to gourmet levels. With minimal prep and the ease of a slow cooker, this recipe is an effortless way to enjoy a healthy, hearty dinner. Serve it steaming hot with Parmesan cheese and crusty bread for an irresistible finish! Keywords: slow cooker soup, chicken sausage recipe, hearty soup, easy dinner idea, healthy comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 links chicken sausage, fully cooked and sliced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 0.5 cup uncooked quinoa or orzo
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional, for serving)
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Add the sliced chicken sausage, diced carrots, celery, zucchini, and canned diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir to combine.
Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker. Add the dried oregano, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours, or on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours.
30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, add the uncooked quinoa (or orzo) and roughly chopped baby spinach to the slow cooker. Stir well and cover again.
Once the cooking time is done, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Discard the bay leaf before serving. Optionally, add a splash of lemon juice to each bowl for a bright finish and top with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy your hearty chicken sausage soup!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1596 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 80.9 g | 104% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.0 g | 130% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 287 mg | 96% | |
| Sodium | 6481 mg | 282% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 123.3 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.0 g | 82% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.5 g | ||
| Protein | 104.7 g | 209% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1104 mg | 85% | |
| Iron | 10.5 mg | 58% | |
| Potassium | 3875 mg | 82% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
