Description
A hearty and nutritious Slow Cooker Lentil and Chicken Soup featuring tender chicken thighs, wholesome lentils, and vibrant vegetables slow-cooked to perfection with aromatic spices. This comforting soup is easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making it ideal for busy days or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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 chicken broth (32 ounces each)
- 1 10-oz can Rotel diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups carrots (diced)
- 1/4 cup sofrito (homemade or store-bought)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the dried lentils, boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken broth, Rotel diced tomatoes, diced carrots, sofrito, turmeric, cumin, Adobo seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Cook the Soup: Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 4 hours or, alternatively, set it to low and cook for 8 hours until the lentils are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Shred the Chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker until it is broken into bite-sized pieces and well mixed with the soup.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavors before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if preferred.
- Sofrito adds depth of flavor; if unavailable, finely chopped onions, garlic, and bell peppers can be used.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and use vegetable broth instead.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Rinsing lentils before use can reduce cooking time slightly and remove dust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 245g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
