Description
A nourishing and colorful slow cooker soup packed with tender homemade chicken meatballs, vibrant vegetables, and small pasta shells. A healthy, hearty meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Soup:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup carrots, sliced rounds
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, chopped (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup small pasta (ditalini or shells)
- 1 Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Make Meatballs: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Roll into small bite-sized balls. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet for 10-12 minutes until set (they do not need to be fully cooked).
- Combine: Place the baked meatballs, carrots, celery, and onion into a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Add the Parmesan rind and oregano.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Add Pasta & Veggies: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the zucchini, green beans, and uncooked pasta. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20-30 minutes until pasta and veggies are tender.
- Finish: Remove the Parmesan rind. Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt for 2 minutes.
- Serve: Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Shortcut: Use frozen pre-cooked chicken or turkey meatballs to skip the baking step.
Low Carb: Omit the pasta and double the vegetables for a lighter version.
Flavor Tip: The Parmesan rind adds a rich, savory depth to the broth. Don’t skip it if you have one!
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 7 hrs
- Category: Dinner, Soup
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg