There’s something truly comforting about a bowl of warm soup that hugs you from the inside out. This Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe is one of those magic dishes — simple to make, packed with nourishing goodness, and brings out rich, cozy flavors that fill your home with pure comfort.

A black slow cooker filled with a thick stew made of small brown lentils, shredded light brown meat, and orange carrot pieces. The stew has a soft, slightly shiny texture with some green chopped herbs scattered on top. A wooden spoon is partly dipped into the stew from the upper right side, showing a smooth wooden texture. The slow cooker sits on a white marbled 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 soup more times than I can count, especially on chilly weekends when I want dinner waiting for me. It’s hearty without being heavy and has that perfect balance of spices and tender chicken that will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Super easy prep: You just toss everything into the slow cooker—no fancy kitchen skills required.
Nutritious and filling: Lentils add fiber and protein, while chicken brings in lean protein for a balanced meal.
Flavorful and aromatic: With turmeric, cumin, and sofrito, it’s packed with bold, comforting flavors.
Perfect for leftovers: The soup tastes even better the next day, making meal prep a breeze.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe plays a vital role. Lentils thicken the soup naturally while adding hearty texture. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, soaking up all those aromatic spices. Plus, the sofrito ties every flavor together with a punch of savory goodness.

Flat lay of green lentils spilling gently beside six raw boneless skinless chicken thighs with trimmed fat, diced fresh orange carrots, a small white bowl of vibrant red diced tomatoes, a small white bowl of golden turmeric powder, a small white bowl of light brown cumin powder, a small white bowl of reddish-brown Adobo seasoning, a small white bowl of coarse kosher salt and cracked black pepper, and two simple white ceramic bowls filled with clear golden chicken broth, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, 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: Choose green or brown for the best texture—they hold up nicely during slow cooking.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: I prefer thighs for their richness and tenderness; breast works too but may dry out.
Chicken broth: It’s the soup’s base, so use a good-quality broth for deeper flavor.
Rotel diced tomatoes: Adds a subtle zing and extra moisture.
Carrots: They provide sweetness and body—diced small so they cook perfectly.
Sofrito: This is my secret weapon; it infuses the soup with a vibrant, fragrant base.
Turmeric and cumin: Earthy spices that warm up the whole pot.
Adobo seasoning, kosher salt & pepper: For that well-rounded seasoning punch.

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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

One thing I love about this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to swap out spices or veggies depending on what you have on hand or what flavors you’re in the mood for.

Variation: I often add some chopped kale or spinach about 30 minutes before the soup finishes cooking to sneak in extra greens without overcooking them.
Spicy kick: Try stirring in a pinch of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Vegetarian swap: Leave out the chicken and add mushrooms or extra veggies along with vegetable broth for a meatless twist.
Make it chunkier: Hold back some lentils to add at the end if you like a chunkier texture in your soup.

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

Step 1: Toss Everything Into the Slow Cooker

No need to sweat the prep—just rinse your lentils and trim any excess fat off the chicken thighs. Then dump all your ingredients into a roomy 6-quart slow cooker, giving everything a quick stir to combine. This is where the magic starts—once your lid's on, you can totally forget about it.

Step 2: Let It Cook Low and Slow (or on High)

I usually let it cook on low for about 8 hours, so it’s ready for dinner when I walk in the door after work. But if you’re short on time, setting it to high for 4 hours works just as well. The key is the slow simmer that melds the flavors and makes the lentils tender without turning into mush.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken and Season to Taste

When the timer goes off, pull out the chicken thighs with a slotted spoon and shred them using two forks—so satisfying to do after the long cook! Return the chicken to the pot, then give it a taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed. Sometimes I throw in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving for brightness.

Top Tip

Having made this Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned that a few small tweaks make all the difference in getting the perfect flavor and texture.

Use fresh spices: Ground turmeric and cumin lose their punch after a year, so fresher spices mean richer flavor.
Trim chicken fat: Removing excess fat helps keep the soup from being greasy since the thighs release fat as they cook.
Don’t over-stir: Lentils break down with agitation, so stir gently to keep some nice texture.
Timing your add-ins: Add delicate ingredients like leafy greens or fresh herbs in the last 30 minutes for freshness and color.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe

Lentil Chicken Soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple—fresh chopped cilantro or parsley on top adds a fresh herbal note. Sometimes I sprinkle a little shredded Parmesan when I’m feeling indulgent or add a dollop of Greek yogurt if I want creaminess without heaviness.

Side Dishes

A warm chunk of crusty bread or buttery garlic toast is my go-to for soaking up the broth. If you want something lighter, a crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette complements the hearty soup beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this soup in mini bread bowls—super fun and rustic! You can also garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds or swirl in a bit of harissa paste for color and heat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. It keeps really well for 3-4 days. Before eating, give it a gentle stir as some lentils settle at the bottom.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully. I portion it into freezer-safe containers and it lasts for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.

Reheating

When reheating, add a splash of broth or water if it thickened too much in the fridge. Warm gently over medium heat to keep the chicken tender and prevent the lentils from breaking down further.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can! Just remember that chicken breasts tend to dry out more than thighs when cooked long. To keep them moist, consider adding them later in the cooking process or using low heat and checking tenderness often.

Do I need to soak the lentils before cooking?

No soaking necessary! Lentils cook relatively quickly and will soften nicely during the long cook in the slow cooker without any pre-soak. Just rinse them to remove any debris before adding.

Can I make this soup vegan or vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the chicken and substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth. You could add extra vegetables or mushrooms for heartiness and keep the delicious spices and sofrito for flavor.

How thick should this soup be?

It’s a medium-thick soup that’s hearty but still brothy—think satisfying spoonfuls with some liquid to slurp. If it thickens too much, just add a little more broth when reheating.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Lentil Chicken Soup Recipe is one of those meals that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s straightforward, nourishing, and endlessly comforting—just what I want after a busy day. I hope you find it as satisfying and easy as I do, and that it becomes one of those go-to dishes you lean on whenever you need a cozy, wholesome meal.