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Hearty Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken and White Bean Soup

A deeply flavorful, satisfying slow cooker soup with tender shredded chicken, creamy cannellini beans, and kale in a savory herb broth. Uses no-salt-added ingredients and modest cheese, and is inspired by DASH diet principles without making health claims.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Healthy Fusion, Mediterranean
Keyword Crock-Pot Chicken, Slow Cooker Soup
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 266kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cans 15 oz / 425 g each no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1½ lb 680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cups 950 mL no-salt-added chicken broth, divided
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots thinly sliced
  • 3 cups packed ~200 g chopped lacinato kale, tough stems removed
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp 15 mL fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup 28 g grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
  • 2 tbsp 30 mL extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary minced
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  • Create the creamy base: Add one can of beans to a 6-quart slow cooker with ½ cup (120 mL) broth and mash into a coarse paste.
  • Add aromatics and beans: Stir in the remaining two cans of beans, onion, carrots, garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
  • Layer and cook: Place chicken on top, add the bay leaf, and pour in the remaining 3½ cups (830 mL) broth. Cook on LOW 5 to 6 hours or HIGH 3 to 4 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F / 74°C.
  • Shred the chicken: Transfer chicken to a board and shred with two forks.
  • Wilt the kale: Stir kale into the hot soup, cover, and let wilt 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Finish: Return shredded chicken to the cooker. Stir in lemon juice and black pepper. Discard bay leaf.
  • Serve: Ladle into bowls. Drizzle about ¾ tsp olive oil per serving. Garnish with a light sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley.

Notes

  • Parmesan is optional; omitting or using a light sprinkle helps keep sodium modest.
  • For a looser texture, add up to ½ cup (120 mL) extra hot broth before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 of 8 servings (about 1.75 cups)
  • Calories: 266 kcal
  • Total Fat: 6.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Sodium: 157 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 23.8 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 6.0 g
  • Total Sugars: 3.1 g
  • Includes 0 g Added Sugars
  • Protein: 29.0 g