There’s something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of homemade soup, especially when it’s packed with wholesome ingredients and slow-cooked to perfection. This Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe is one of those gems that feels like a big, cozy hug in a bowl—easy to make, deeply flavorful, and unbelievably satisfying.

A close-up view of a black slow cooker filled with thick, brownish-orange lentil stew mixed with shredded light brown meat and small bright orange carrot pieces. The stew has some green chopped herbs sprinkled on top, adding brightness. A wooden spoon with a long handle is partly submerged on the right side, stirring the stew. The slow cooker is placed on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe countless times when I needed something nourishing with minimal effort. It’s perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends, and once everything hits the slow cooker, you can just walk away and let it work its magic.

Effortless Prep: Just dump your ingredients in the slow cooker and forget it—the slow cooker does all the work for you.
Comforting and Hearty: The combination of tender chicken, earthy lentils, and warm spices creates a cozy, filling meal.
Flexible Ingredients: You can swap chicken thighs for breast or use whatever veggies you have on hand to make it your own.
Great for Meal Prep: Makes a big batch that tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.

Two white bowls filled with a thick, brownish lentil stew that has visible layers of green lentils, small orange carrot chunks, and shredded light brown chicken pieces, all mixed in a slightly oily, golden broth. The stew is topped with small green parsley leaves scattered throughout. The bowls have a subtle speckled pattern around the rim. They sit on a white marbled surface with some loose parsley leaves nearby. Next to the bottom bowl are two old-fashioned silver spoons resting on a folded light gray cloth. The lighting is bright and natural, emphasizing the rich texture and warmth of the stew, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe has a role to play, contributing layers of flavor and nutrition. From the protein-packed lentils to the silky chicken and vibrant sofrito, they all come together to create a balanced, delicious dish.

Flat lay of dried green lentils in a small pile, raw boneless skinless chicken thighs arranged neatly, diced fresh orange carrots in a small white bowl, a small white bowl filled with bright red diced tomatoes, a small white bowl holding golden yellow turmeric powder, another small white bowl with light brown ground cumin, a small white bowl containing coarse kosher salt and black peppercorns mixed, and a small white bowl of greenish sofrito sauce, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Dried lentils: They soak up broth beautifully and give the soup body and fiber, plus they don’t need pre-soaking.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: I love thighs here because they stay juicy during the long cook, but chicken breast works if you prefer leaner meat.
Chicken broth: Using cartons with good flavor sets the soup’s base—homemade broth works too if you have it.
Rotel diced tomatoes: Brings a bit of brightness and gentle acidity to balance the earthiness of the lentils.
Carrots: Add sweetness and texture; diced small so they cook evenly.
Sofrito: My homemade sofrito blend energizes the soup with garlic, onions, peppers, and herbs—feel free to use store-bought too.
Turmeric: Not just for color; it adds subtle warmth and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Cumin: Deepens the earthiness with a bit of smokiness, pairing perfectly with the lentils and chicken.
Adobo seasoning: A classic seasoning that brings a nice savory kick without overwhelming.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Always important for balancing flavors—season in stages to get it just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing with this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe to suit whatever mood I’m in or what’s in the pantry. It’s super adaptable, so you won’t feel locked in if you want to mix things up!

Variation: I once swapped the lentils for split peas when I ran out—and it still turned out wonderfully creamy and comforting.
Spicier Twist: Add a diced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne pepper if you want a little heat to warm you up even more.
Veggie Boost: Toss in some chopped kale or spinach during the last 30 minutes for extra greens that don’t lose their texture.
Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot: I’ve tried this in my Instant Pot too; it speeds things up nicely if you’re short on time but still want that rich, slow-cooked flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Prep Everything

I like to have my ingredients measured and ready before I start—there’s nothing worse than scrambling when you're in the middle of cooking. Rinse the lentils under cold water and make sure your chicken thighs are trimmed of excess fat. Dice the carrots and get your sofrito handy.

Step 2: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Simply dump the rinsed lentils, chicken thighs, chicken broth, Rotel tomatoes, carrots, sofrito, and spices into your slow cooker. No need to stir much at this point, just make sure everything is evenly distributed so it cooks uniformly.

Step 3: Set It and Forget It

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting here. You’ll want to avoid removing the lid too often since this affects cooking time and temperature.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken and Final Seasoning

Once cooking time is up, remove the chicken thighs carefully and shred them with two forks—this step is so satisfying! Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, then taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the soup feels too thick, add a splash of water or broth.

Top Tip

Through countless batches, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe even better and foolproof every time.

Rinse Lentils Thoroughly: Lentils can have dust or debris; rinsing also helps avoid foaming which can overflow your slow cooker.
Trim Chicken Fat: Chicken thighs have great flavor but trimming excess fat keeps the soup from getting greasy.
Don’t Skip the Sofrito: It’s the secret ingredient that adds depth and brightness; homemade is best but store-bought works in a pinch.
Shred Chicken Off Heat: Taking it out to shred prevents overcooking and keeps meat tender instead of stringy.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe

slow cooker lentil soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime on top—it adds freshness and a little zing that brightens every bite. Sometimes, I'll add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for creaminess, especially when serving on chillier days.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with some crusty bread or warm pita to soak up the broth. For a lighter touch, I love serving it with a simple green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the soup in mini bread bowls—it's fun and keeps things casual but impressive. Another idea is layering the soup with a sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds on top for a crunchy contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers often taste even better. Just give it a good stir before reheating.

Freezing

This soup freezes wonderfully. I portion it out into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags. When it’s time to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer gently warming it in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Adding a splash of broth or water helps loosen it up if it's thickened too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work fine, but they can dry out more easily during slow cooking, so I recommend shredding them as soon as the soup is done to keep the texture tender.

Do I need to soak the lentils before cooking?

No soaking is required for green or brown lentils. Just rinse them well to remove any debris, and they’ll cook perfectly in the slow cooker over the 4-8 hour period.

Can I make this soup in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can! Use the sauté function to combine the sofrito and spices, add all ingredients, then cook on high pressure for about 20-25 minutes followed by a natural release. It’s a fantastic shortcut without sacrificing flavor.

How thick should the soup be?

This soup is hearty but still brothy. If it thickens too much as it cools, feel free to add a bit more broth or water while reheating to reach your preferred consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe feels like one of those timeless family favorites I keep coming back to, especially when life gets busy or the weather turns chilly. It’s an easy, reliable way to nourish yourself and the people you care about without fuss or stress. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—your kitchen will smell amazing, and your bowl will be filled with cozy goodness every time.