Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup

Your favorite chicken Parmesan dish, reinvented into a loaded slow cooker soup with spicy mini chicken meatballs.

Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Winter break is finally over, but not before we got slammed with another snow storm. Of course, it ended up being a good thing in a way. I totally thought the kids were on break until today, having a full two weeks off. Only Wednesday night we received a call that there’d be no school Thursday due to the weather. Call me confused. I swear the previous calendar said no school all last week. Oops! So, good thing for the snow or I’d have accidentally kept the kids home and probably received a call wondering where they were. Of course that also means they’ll be getting out of school two days later than planned as of now. There’s still plenty of winter though, so we’ll see how many more snow days occur in the next few months.

Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

I hope you had a nice holiday and hopefully a nice break along with that! The changeover to a new year is always weird. It’ll take me at least six months to stop writing the previous year’s date on things. And of course then there’s the battle over healthy eating vs warm comforting food. So I think everyone will be satisfied with what is coming up in the coming weeks. Lots of comforting soups, that considering they’re loaded with good for you stuff… should be considered fairly healthy. It’s not like it’s a cheesecake in a bowl or anything crazy like that. ;)

Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

So it makes sense to get back into the swing of things with a truly comforting and easy soup recipe. As always, I opted to create this in the slow cooker because who really enjoys standing over the stovetop when you can let a small appliance do the work for you while you’re busy with life. Because this recipe requires a little more work with the meatballs, feel free to make those ahead and then toss them in with the veggies in the start of the cooking process. That way you can cook this while at work or off doing errands on the weekend and come back to a perfect lunch or dinner.

This soup encompasses your favorite flavors from a traditional chicken Parmesan dish, but has been reinvented into soup form and with spicy mini chicken meatballs. If you’re looking for a fun soup to try this season, be sure to add this to your list! Check below for some more of my favorites to try!

Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup Recipe from bakedbyrachel.com

Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup

Your favorite chicken Parmesan dish, reinvented into a loaded soup with spicy chicken meatballs.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time5 hours
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Slow cooker
Servings: 4 plus

Ingredients

Soup:

  • 3/4 C carrots chopped
  • 3/4 C onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 30 oz petite diced tomatoes drained
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 7 1/2 C chicken broth
  • 6 oz baby spinach
  • 3/4 C pasta

Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 C Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 C plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 large egg
  • Mozzarella freshly shredded

Instructions

  • To the bowl of a slow cooker, add carrots, onions, garlic, drained tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano and chicken broth. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
  • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine meatball ingredients. Using a small cookie scoop, shape mixture into small balls. Place on prepared baking sheet, bake for 10-15 minutes. Add meatballs to slow cooker, replace cover and continue cooking.
  • When 4 hours are up, gently stir in pasta and spinach. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Divide soup between oven safe bowls. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is fully melted. If using broiler safe containers, broiler may be used to brown cheese. Alternately a kitchen torch may be used, if desired.
  • Enjoy warm.

Notes

Recipe yields roughly 4-8.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

More slow cooker recipes to try:
Slow cooker two bean buffalo chicken chili
Garlic and Dijon slow cooker chicken
Slow cooker sausage and poblano chili
Slow cooker New England clam and corn chowder
Slow cooker loaded potato soup
Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup
Slow cooker white chicken chili
Slow cooker Italian wedding soup

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50 Responses to “Slow Cooker Chicken Parm Meatball Soup”

  1. #
    1
    Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent — January 6, 2014 at 6:57 am

    Here kids were suppose to go back today… but school was cancelled because of snow as well. These winter storms are really hitting us hard this year. The poor kids may go to school to July to make up for it :) This looks amazingly warm and comforting. Perfect for this crazy weather.

    • #
      1.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      Seriously! It’s scary thinking what might be coming since it’s still so early. We’ve got to get through 3 more months of this at least! Stay warm :)

  2. #
    2
    sally @ sallys baking addiction — January 6, 2014 at 7:54 am

    The winter storms are hitting us this quite heavily in 2014 here in Maryland! Low of -15 (with wind chill) tomorrow. Insane for us! My fiancé would love this soup, Rachel. And guess what? I just got a new slow cooker and cannot even wait to start using it for comforting recipes like this to warm us up on chilly days.

    • #
      2.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Brrr no thanks! Definitely get that slow cooker going and warm up with some soup :)

  3. #
    3
    Julie @ Table for Two — January 6, 2014 at 8:06 am

    oh my GOSH. that cheese on the top of this dish. to die for!!! this winter is starting to be brutal – although, you have it way worse than me so i definitely shouldn’t complain ;) i agree 100% that an appliance should do the cooking for you. i’ll be curled up on the couch binge watching one of my fav shows..hehe

    • #
      3.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      lol you’re allowed to complain. But I’m still allowed to tease you a little bit for it ;)

  4. #
    4
    Ali @ Inspiralized — January 6, 2014 at 8:06 am

    This looks like a delicious meal for a cold winter night! Thanks for sharing.

    • #
      4.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Thanks so much Ali!

  5. #
    5
    Rachel @ Bakerita — January 6, 2014 at 8:10 am

    This looks SO good, and just like the right thing to eat when there is a snowstorm raging outside. With some garlic bread, and I’d be in heaven! Pinned.

    • #
      5.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Yesss, definitely garlic bread! :)

  6. #
    6
    Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness — January 6, 2014 at 8:13 am

    I don’t have a winter storm in Florida, but I still want to make this soup! That cheese….those meat balls…and all in the slow cooker? Girl, your are genius!

    • #
      6.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      Crank up the ac and pretend its frigid along with the rest of us ;)

  7. #
    7
    Marie @ Little Kitchie — January 6, 2014 at 8:23 am

    This is so fabulous! Will definitely be making this one!

    • #
      7.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      I hope you do! Thanks so much Marie :)

  8. #
    8
    Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg — January 6, 2014 at 8:23 am

    We’re getting hit heavily here in VA as Sally says. MD and VA share the same weather patterns. This soup would be great on a day like tomorrow where the temp will be 9. Ouch! Pinning.

    • #
      8.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      Ouch indeed! Better get some soup going to warm up with :)

  9. #
    9
    Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — January 6, 2014 at 9:20 am

    Kids SHOULD have the full two weeks off! Thank goodness for that nutso storm! This sounds so amazing..chicken parm is one of my hubs’ favorites..he’s going to love this. SO am I…that cheeesee..ooh and I love all things from a slow cooker!

    • #
      9.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      It just seemed weird to be going back for a day or two, you know? Just wait and start a full week from scratch. I guess mother nature agreed with me :)

  10. #
    10
    Jess @ Gas Stove Girl — January 6, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Wow – talk about inventive. I love the idea behind this! I am so obsessed with soups. Absolutely giving this a try before this long, Boston winter is finished.

    • #
      10.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      I hope you enjoy it! :) Stay warm this winter!

  11. #
    11
    Layla @ Brunch Time Baker — January 6, 2014 at 10:59 am

    This recipe looks so delicious and cheesy! I love the fact that it’s a slow cooker meal!! Pinned! :)

    • #
      11.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks so much Layla!

  12. #
    12
    Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough — January 6, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    That cheese pull… *SWOON* I envision myself making this many, many times this winter.

    • #
      12.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Haha! I hope you do and I hope you enjoy it Stephanie! :)

  13. #
    13
    Meagan @ A Zesty Bite — January 6, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Oh my gosh this is right up my alley. The cheese, the meatballs, the soup!!!! Holy smokes I need it.

    • #
      13.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Ha! Thanks Meagan :)

  14. #
    14
    Laurie {Simply Scratch} — January 6, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    It’s definitely soup weather here! Brrr! Ps… those cheese strings are ridiculous!

    • #
      14.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Agreed! And thank you so much Laurie :)

  15. #
    15
    Jennifer @ Mother Thyme — January 6, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    Yum! I love this!

    • #
      15.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! :)

  16. #
    16
    Chrissy — January 6, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    This looks fabulous! We’re expecting a snowmagedon here in western PA….they’ve already cancelled school for tomorrow. Too bad hospitals don’t close and I”ll still be needed at work!

    • #
      16.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Oh boo. A shame you can’t have a day off too. Definitely plan some soup to stay warm with!

  17. #
    17
    Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health — January 6, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    i could take a whole pot of this..love love love this idea of soup.

    • #
      17.1
      Rachel — January 6, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Thanks so much!! :)

  18. #
    18
    Kaitlin Weiler — January 6, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Ooh, this looks so comforting. It would be great on a super chilly day like today!

    • #
      18.1
      Rachel — January 7, 2014 at 7:22 am

      Absolutely!! :)

  19. #
    19
    Emily @ Life on Food — January 6, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    little meatballs in soup always have a special place in my heart. this soup looks fabulous. perfect for all of this cold weather taking over.

    • #
      19.1
      Rachel — January 7, 2014 at 7:22 am

      I fully agree! Thank you :)

  20. #
    20
    carrie@bakeaholicmama — January 6, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    Holy crap. This looks good… that cheese! Your pics are making me hungry.

    • #
      20.1
      Rachel — January 7, 2014 at 7:21 am

      Thanks Carrie! :)

  21. #
    21
    Tieghan — January 7, 2014 at 12:12 am

    Oh my gosh!! That cheese on top looks to die for. What a easy and super cozy soup!

    • #
      21.1
      Rachel — January 7, 2014 at 7:23 am

      Haha thanks so much Tieghan :)

  22. #
    22
    Stephanie @ Velez Delights — January 7, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Happy New Year! Loving this post :)

    • #
      22.1
      Rachel — January 8, 2014 at 7:25 am

      Thanks Stephanie! :)

  23. #
    23
    Wendy | Around My Family Table — January 9, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    I love my slow cooker…and I love this recipe! Can’t wait to try it out! Happy New Year!

    • #
      23.1
      Rachel — January 9, 2014 at 7:26 pm

      Thanks Wendy :)

  24. #
    24
    Brenna — January 11, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Excited to make this! Just wondering when to add the meatballs to the slow cooker? About 30-60 minutes after the broth??

    • #
      24.1
      Rachel — January 12, 2014 at 8:32 am

      Whenever they are done in the oven :) No big rush as the majority of cooking will have been done prior to being added to the slow cooker.

  25. #
    25
    Barbara H — January 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm

    This looks fabulous, can’t wait to try it. One question though – does the pasta go into the slow cooker cooked or uncooked?

    • #
      25.1
      Rachel — January 20, 2014 at 8:01 pm

      It goes in uncooked. I hope you enjoy it! :)

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