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.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:360 mins

Total Time:380 mins

Servings: 6

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker. Add the dried oregano, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.

Step 4

Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours, or on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Once the cooking time is done, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy your hearty chicken sausage soup!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2877.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1596.1

Total Fat 80.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 287.4mg	0%
Sodium 6480.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.0g	0%
Total Sugars 32.5g
Protein 104.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1104.0mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 3875.3mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.4%

Protein: 25.5%

Carbs: 30.1%