Our weather really took a turn today. Unlike the rest of the US, up here in the mountains, some of our leaves are already gone and the temps have turned bitter cold. Yesterday we went from sunny and 64 during the day, to snow and 20 at night. It’s supposed to snow all day today with a high of 30…and a low of 4. Whew, I am definitely NOT ready for that! As I type out this post, I’m sitting in front of my personal space heater with it blasting. Soo, it’s safe to say that it’s back to the usual over here… Me, always being cold. Point here? It’s chilly, and it’s soup weather. And that’s where this crockpot chicken soup comes in. It’s everything you’d want out of chicken soup, but with so much more going on. The truth is, sometimes I can find chicken soup to be a little boring. This is an updated version. It’s a little creamier, a touch cheesy, but still on the healthy side. Plus, it has the best topping of sweet parmesan roasted delicata squash. I could not love this bowl of soup more. It warms your bones, and as cheesy as this will sound, it gives a warm and cozy feeling inside too. Bonus? This soup is relatively healthy, as it’s filled with plenty of chicken and vegetables. But at the same time, it’s also super cozy.
Making this delicious crockpot chicken soup is easy…
Are you ready for this? Add everything to your crockpot, slow cook all day…come home to a house that smells of hearty chicken soup. PS. this is my favorite slow cooker, I’ve been using it for years and years. Just before you’re ready to eat, switch the oven on, and roast the in-season delicata squash with herbs and parmesan cheese. Yes, this is an extra step, but you should do it. And while the squash is roasting, boil some pasta. Any cut will do, but I really love a short-cut pasta like orzo. OR go the egg noodle route and use something like these delicious old school style egg noodles. Either one is great, but don’t skip the noodles. Every chicken soup NEEDS noodles. And then? Finish with plenty of fresh parmesan cheese – delicious. Serious Question: do you say crockpot or do you say slow cooker? I like crockpot best, but I go back and forth. Today it’s crockpot!
So the flavors you ask?
Well, they are the classic chicken soup flavors, just amped up a little. The base of the soup is made with a good amount of shallots, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. The other KEY ingredient is the parmesan. I love incorporating parmesan rinds into my recipes because they add so much flavor to any sauce or soup. Simmering the rind in the soup allows it to slowly break down and infuse the soup with parmesan flavor. Then there’s the basic chicken broth. But me being me, I also like to add in a splash of wine for even more flavor. Towards the end of cooking, white beans and kale are also added to the broth for another hearty layer. And that’s the soup. It’s simple, but yet so full of flavor. Next comes the squash, which I know might seem like an unnecessary step, but please, please, hear me out. The roasted squash is a must. It’s herby, salty, and turns crunchy in the oven. It ends up kind of like a crispy, cheesy, herby, “fried” squash that sits atop your cheesy bowl of soup. It’s GOOD.
And then? Just add the pasta…oh, and maybe a side of beer bread…OK, and maybe a glass of wine too. You guys know how I like to cook, go all in and leave nothing out. Especially this time of year when meals are meant to be relaxing, enjoyable, and most importantly, delicious. That’s this soup. OH, and lastly, since I know not everyone owns a crockpot, I’ve also included stove-top and instant pot cooking directions. I really wanted to make sure everyone could make this soup!
If you make this crockpot parmesan white bean chicken soup with roasted delicata squash, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
