If you’re craving something incredibly cozy and satisfying that you can basically set and forget, you need to try this Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe. It’s comfort in a bowl—rich, velvety, and packed with wholesome goodness. I absolutely love how this soup comes together with minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Whether it’s a chilly evening or a busy weeknight, this recipe always feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Keep reading — I’m going to share everything you need to nail this soup and impress everyone at the dinner table!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort Food: Toss everything in the slow cooker and come back to a creamy, flavorful soup.
- Rich, Creamy Texture: The heavy cream and flour create a luscious broth without needing separate roux steps.
- Hearty and Nourishing: Potatoes, chicken, and wholesome veggies make this a complete meal your family will adore.
- Customizable and Versatile: Easy to tweak with your favorite herbs or toppings to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe uses simple, familiar ingredients that blend beautifully for a rich, savory flavor. Pro tip: getting fresh, quality chicken and firm russet potatoes will really elevate your soup’s texture.
- Boneless chicken breast: I like skinless and trimmed to keep the soup light but juicy.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and a subtle depth of flavor when slow-cooked.
- Carrots: Their natural sweetness balances the savory broth perfectly.
- Celery: Offers that classic aromatic base for soups and stews.
- Garlic: Minced to release a gentle punch of flavor.
- Russet potatoes: These are sturdy and break down just enough for a pleasing chunky and creamy mix.
- Salt & ground black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring everything together.
- Dried thyme: Adds a lovely earthy note; fresh thyme would work too.
- Bay leaves: Infuse subtle herbaceous flavor while cooking.
- Chicken broth: Use low sodium if you want to control salt levels.
- Heavy cream: Key for that silky, creamy texture.
- All-purpose flour: I whisk it with the cream to thicken the soup smoothly—no lumps!
- Cheddar cheese: For topping, adds a sharp, melty finish.
- Chives: Fresh and bright, a perfect garnish.
Variations
I love how flexible this Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe is. I often play around with different herbs or veggies, so feel free to adjust according to what you have or what you’re craving!
- Use sweet potatoes instead of russets: I tried this during fall and it brought a lovely sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the savory broth.
- Add spinach or kale: Toss in your greens during the last 10 minutes for a boost of color and nutrition.
- Swap chicken breast for thighs: For juicier, more flavorful chicken, thighs work great but keep in mind they might need slightly less cooking time.
- Dairy-free option: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use a gluten-free flour blend to thicken it—still deliciously creamy!
How to Make Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe
Step 1: Load up the slow cooker with your hearty ingredients
Start by placing the raw chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker—the direct contact with heat helps them cook evenly and stay tender. Then, add the chopped onion, sliced carrots, celery, minced garlic, and the peeled, cubed russet potatoes. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, dried thyme, and pop in those aromatic bay leaves. Finally, pour in the chicken broth to cover everything just right. This layering sets you up for a rich, flavorful soup base.
Step 2: Slow cook until everything is tender and inviting
Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for about 4 hours or low for 8 hours—time depends on your schedule but either way, you’ll come back to perfectly cooked chicken and tender potatoes. The smell will fill your kitchen and make you so excited for the next steps. Resist the urge to peek too much; the slow cooker does its magic best undisturbed.
Step 3: Shred chicken and make the soup creamy
Once cooked, remove and discard the bay leaves, then gently lift the chicken breasts out. Shred them with two forks—that’s the easy part I love because the chicken is so tender it practically falls apart. Next, whisk the flour into the heavy cream until perfectly smooth—this little trick keeps your soup lump-free and luscious. Slowly pour this cream mixture into the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine. Finally, stir in your shredded chicken, cover, and let it cook another 30 minutes to thicken up and marry all those flavors.
Step 4: Serve with your favorite toppings
Dish out the soup piping hot, and this is where you can really bring the cozy vibes—top it with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese and sprinkle chopped chives on top. The melty cheese adds a wonderful richness while chives give a fresh pop of color and brightness. A quick crack of black pepper finishes the bowl beautifully.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe
- Uniform Potato Cubes: Cutting potatoes into evenly sized cubes ensures they cook through uniformly without turning mushy.
- Gradual Cream Addition: Whisk flour into heavy cream first to avoid lumps before adding it slowly to the soup.
- Don’t Skip Shredding: Shredding chicken results in better texture distribution and elevates every spoonful.
- Avoid Overcooking Cream: Add cream near the end and don’t boil it, which keeps the richness intact and prevents curdling.
How to Serve Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I can’t recommend enough topping this soup with plenty of shredded sharp cheddar cheese—it melts beautifully into the warm broth for that irresistible stretch of cheese. Fresh chives add a mild onion flavor and a burst of green that livens the dish up visually. Sometimes, I add a dollop of sour cream or sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky twist.
Side Dishes
Serving this soup with a crusty baguette or warm garlic bread takes it to the next level. I’ve also paired it with a crisp green salad for a lighter contrast that balances the richness. For an indulgent meal, creamy mashed potatoes on the side or even roasted veggies add complementary textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve the soup in individual mini bread bowls—it feels extra cozy and fun to eat. Garnishing with finely chopped herbs like parsley or dill adds elegance. You can also layer it in a clear glass bowl to showcase the beautiful creamy color and colorful veggies beneath the cheese topping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge and it keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so sometimes the second-day soup tastes even better! Just make sure to cool the soup completely before refrigerating to maintain texture and freshness.
Freezing
This soup freezes well if you want to make it ahead. I recommend freezing it without the cream mixture added—freeze the broth, chicken, and veggies first, then stir in the cream after thawing and reheating on the stove. This method preserves that creamy texture without splitting.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring frequently. If it seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water. Avoid microwaving at high heat for long periods to prevent the cream from curdling. I always re-whisk a little cream with flour if needed to refresh the soup’s luscious consistency.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this soup?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but I recommend adding extra cooking time to ensure they cook through completely. It’s best to place the frozen chicken at the bottom and check tenderness before shredding.
-
Is it possible to make this soup dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a cashew cream for a dairy-free version. Use a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken instead of all-purpose flour.
-
How thick should the soup be?
The soup should be creamy and slightly thick, coating the back of a spoon. If it’s too runny, cook an extra 15-30 minutes with the slow cooker uncovered; if too thick, stir in a bit more broth before serving.
-
Can I prepare the soup the night before?
Yes! Make the soup the night before and refrigerate. Reheat gently the next day, adding toppings fresh. This is a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen and a favorite with my family—there’s something so heartwarming about digging into a bowl that’s creamy, hearty, and full of tender chicken and potatoes. I love that it’s so easy to prepare yet tastes like you spent hours crafting it. If you want a fuss-free meal that pleases the crowd and feeds your soul, you’ve got to try this recipe—I promise, you’ll find yourself making it again and again!
Print
Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Potato Soup is a hearty and comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken, russet potatoes, and a medley of vegetables simmered slowly in a flavorful broth. Enriched with a creamy blend of heavy cream and flour, this soup is perfect for a cozy meal any day of the week and topped with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh chives for an added burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless chicken breast
- 5 C russet potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 4 C chicken broth
- 1 1/2 C heavy cream
- 1/4 C all purpose flour
Vegetables
- 1 C yellow onion (chopped)
- 3/4 C carrots (sliced)
- 1/2 C celery (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Toppings
- Cheddar cheese (topping)
- Chives (topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker and Ingredients: In the bowl of a 5-6 quart slow cooker, place raw chicken breasts, chopped yellow onion, sliced carrots, chopped celery, minced garlic, peeled and cubed russet potatoes, salt, ground black pepper, dried thyme, bay leaves, and chicken broth. Mix gently to combine.
- Cook Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken and potatoes to become tender.
- Remove Bay Leaves and Shred Chicken: Once the initial cooking time has finished, discard the bay leaves carefully. Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them thoroughly using two forks.
- Make Cream Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and all-purpose flour until smooth and free of lumps to create a creamy thickener.
- Incorporate Cream and Chicken: Slowly pour the heavy cream and flour mixture into the slow cooker soup while stirring gently to avoid clumps. Stir in the shredded chicken evenly throughout the soup.
- Continue Cooking: Cover the slow cooker again and cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to allow the soup to thicken and flavors to fully combine.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the soup warm, garnished with freshly shredded cheddar cheese, chopped chives, and an extra sprinkle of ground black pepper for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- This creamy homemade slow cooker chicken and potato soup is perfect for a comforting meal on any day of the week.
- For a thicker soup, a little extra flour can be added to the cream mixture, but be sure to whisk well.
- You can substitute russet potatoes with Yukon Gold potatoes for a slightly creamier texture.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently to avoid curdling the cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 361
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1293 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg