If your week has been feeling like one long group text of obligations, Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup is about to be your edible deep breath. You toss everything in the slow cooker, go live your life, and come back to a pot of cozy, tomato-y, herby goodness that smells like you definitely had it together all day (even if you absolutely did not).
This is the kind of dinner that saves you on hectic weeknights, feeds a crowd without drama, and makes leftovers you’ll actually look forward to. And yes—there’s pasta. Because we’re here for comfort, not deprivation.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup
- Set-it-and-forget-it magic. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you do… literally anything else.
- Big cozy flavor, tiny effort. Italian seasoning + tomatoes + broth = “I cooked” vibes with minimal work.
- Family-friendly and picky-eater approved. It’s warm, familiar, and not “weird” (a very official kid review category).
- Leftovers get better. Like a good rom-com, it improves overnight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into your Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup (plus a few notes from my real-life kitchen):
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, chopped (the flavor starter—don’t skip if you can help it)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped (adds sweetness and color)
- 4 carrots, peeled and diced (cozy soup MVP)
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 bay leaf (small leaf, big influence)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 16 oz rotini pasta (rotini holds onto broth like it’s its job)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded (for topping) (non-negotiable in my house)
How to Make Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup
This is the part where you realize you can make dinner without using every pan you own.
Step 1: Load up the slow cooker
Add everything except the pasta and parmesan to a 6-quart crock pot:
- chicken breasts
- onion
- diced tomatoes
- red bell pepper
- carrots
- Italian seasoning
- garlic salt
- bay leaf
- salt and pepper
- chicken broth
Give it a quick stir so the seasonings aren’t just sitting on top like they’re waiting for a ride.
Step 2: Cook low and slow (or fast and furious)
- Low: 8–10 hours
- High: 4–5 hours
Your kitchen will smell like a cozy Italian café moved in and started paying rent.
Step 3: Shred the chicken
When the chicken is tender, remove it to a plate and shred it with two forks (or chop it if you’re not in the mood for shredding—no judgment). Return it to the crock pot.
Step 4: Add the pasta
Stir in the uncooked rotini, cover, and cook on High for 20–30 minutes, until the pasta is cooked through.
Tip: Give it a stir halfway through if you can, just to keep pasta from clumping up like it’s forming a little noodle alliance.
Step 5: Serve and add the cheesy joy
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded parmesan. Add as much as your heart says is right. (Your heart is correct.)
Cooking Tips for Maximum Cozy
- Don’t add the pasta too early. It will turn into “soft noodle soup” and nobody asked for that.
- Want a thicker soup? Let it sit uncovered for 10 minutes after the pasta cooks. It thickens up naturally. If it looks too thick, don’t panic—it’s just extra comfort waiting to happen.
- Taste at the end. Broths vary in saltiness, so a final pinch of salt or pepper can make everything pop.
- Bay leaf reminder: Fish it out before serving. It’s not a fun surprise bite (ask me how I know).
A Little Real-Life Story From My Kitchen
This Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup became my go-to during one of those weeks where everything needed me at the same time—work stuff, life stuff, “what’s for dinner?” stuff. I remember tossing ingredients into the crockpot in the morning with one eye half open, and by dinnertime the house smelled like I’d been calmly simmering something all day… which was hilarious, because I’d been sprinting through life like a contestant on a game show.
That’s the beauty of slow cooker meals. They make you look like you’ve got a plan, even when you’re winging it with confidence and caffeine.
FAQs About Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Absolutely. Rotini is great because it holds broth, but penne, shells, or bowties work too. Just keep an eye on cook time during that final 20–30 minutes.
How do I store leftovers?
Let the soup cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
One note: pasta keeps soaking up broth as it sits, so leftovers may thicken. Add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to bring it back to soup glory.
Can I freeze this soup?
You can, but for best texture, freeze it before adding the pasta. Cook the base, shred the chicken, cool completely, then freeze. When you’re ready to eat, reheat and add fresh pasta at the end.
Can I swap chicken breasts for thighs?
Yes! Boneless skinless thighs are a little richer and stay extra tender. Cook time stays about the same.
What if I only have regular salt instead of garlic salt?
Use 1 teaspoon salt (or start with ¾ teaspoon), and add ½–1 teaspoon garlic powder. Taste and adjust at the end.
Dinner That Feels Like a Warm Hug
Some recipes are flashy. This one is comforting, reliable, and shows up for you—like the friend who brings coffee and doesn’t ask you to explain your entire life story before you’ve had a sip. Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup is cozy, filling, and honestly kind of a weeknight superhero.
Make a pot, top it with a fluffy snowfall of parmesan, and enjoy the fact that dinner basically cooked itself. And if your family asks what’s in it, you can just smile and say, “Love. And pasta.”
More Cozy Dinners You’ll Want Next
If this Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup hit the spot and made dinner feel a little easier (and a lot cozier), don’t stop here—these reader-favorite comfort meals bring the same warm, homemade vibes to your table:
- Winter Minestrone Soup for Cozy Nights — another Italian-style, veggie-packed bowl that tastes like a soft blanket in soup form.
- Slow Cooker Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli — if you love pasta in your soup, this one is pure comfort (and yes, it’s as satisfying as the restaurant version).
- Creamy Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe — rich, creamy, and perfect when you want a “stay-in-your-PJs” kind of dinner.
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup — hearty, filling, and a lifesaver when you need something warm that will actually keep everyone full.
If you try this recipe (or any of these!), scroll down and leave a ★★★★★ review—your stars and comments help other home cooks find their next cozy favorite!
Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup is cozy, hearty, and full of slow-cooked comfort. Tender shredded chicken, pasta, and vegetables simmer in a flavorful Italian broth that practically cooks itself. Perfect for busy weeknights or chilly evenings when you want a warm, homemade meal without the fuss.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 red bell pepper, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 cups chicken broth
16 oz rotini pasta
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
Place all ingredients except the pasta and parmesan cheese in a 6-quart crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until the chicken is tender.
Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the crockpot.
Stir in the uncooked rotini pasta, cover, and cook on high for 20–30 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through.
Stir well, ladle into bowls, and top with shredded parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Pasta tip: Add pasta near the end to prevent it from getting mushy.
Thicker soup? Let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes before serving.
Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add a splash of broth when reheating.
Freezer-friendly: Freeze before adding pasta. Reheat and add pasta fresh when serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg