Hearty Autumn Chicken & Fennel Soup
As the crisp autumn air sets in and winter approaches, there's nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of Hearty Autumn Chicken & Fennel Soup. This delicious and filling dish is perfect for cozy evenings at home, made effortlessly in your slow cooker. With a medley of wholesome vegetables, tender chicken thighs, and a hint of sweetness from tart apples and aromatic spices, this soup feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Let the gentle aromas fill your kitchen as it simmers slowly, thickening into a satisfying meal akin to a stew. Customize with your favorite veggies and serve alongside crusty bread for a delightful family dinner!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fennel bulb
1 (small, trimmed, quartered, thinly sliced)
Sweet onion
1 medium (coarsely chopped)
Carrots
2 (peeled, thinly sliced)
Parsnips
2 (peeled, thinly sliced)
Celery hearts
2 (thinly sliced)
Tart apple
1 (finely chopped)
Button mushrooms
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Skinless chicken thighs
8 (deboned, trimmed of fat and cut into 6 pieces)
Chicken broth
5 cups (measured)
Apple cider
2 cups (measured)
Cinnamon stick
1 (2-inch piece)
Great white beans
1/2 cup (canned, drained and rinsed)
Orzo pasta
1 cup (measured)
Baby spinach
2 1/2 cups (fresh)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (good quality, coarsely shredded)
Asiago cheese
1/8 cup (coarsely shredded)
Instructions
1
Lightly spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
Begin by layering the fennel, sweet onion, carrots, parsnips, celery hearts, apple, mushrooms, and minced garlic in the slow cooker. Mix well and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper, ensuring an even distribution across the bottom.
3
Cut each chicken thigh into six equal pieces and season with the remaining salt and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken chunks over the vegetable mixture, ensuring they are evenly spread out.
4
Pour the apple cider and chicken broth over the top of the chicken and vegetables. Cover the crock pot with its lid.
5
Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 1 hour. After the hour has passed, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for an additional 2 hours.
6
After 2 hours, add the cinnamon stick, orzo pasta, and drained beans to the pot, making sure to cover everything after adding.
7
Cook on low for 1.5 hours. After this time, remove the cinnamon stick and check the doneness of the orzo and chicken. If they are not tender yet, continue cooking for an additional 30 to 45 minutes.
8
Layer the baby spinach on top of the soup without stirring, then cover and let cook on low for another 10 to 15 minutes.
9
Once everything is ready, turn off the heat, add the parmesan cheese, and gently stir things together. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
10
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh asiago cheese, paired with hearty white bread and butter for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Autumn Chicken & Fennel Soup?
It is a comforting and filling slow cooker dish made with chicken thighs, fennel, root vegetables, and a hint of sweetness from apple cider and tart apples.
What cooking method is used for this recipe?
This recipe is designed specifically for a slow cooker or crock pot.
Which vegetables are included in this soup?
The soup contains fennel bulb, sweet onion, carrots, parsnips, celery hearts, button mushrooms, and baby spinach.
How should I prepare the fennel bulb?
The fennel should be small, trimmed, quartered, and then thinly sliced.
What type of chicken is best for this soup?
The recipe calls for eight skinless chicken thighs, deboned, trimmed of fat, and cut into six pieces each.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
While the recipe specifies thighs for their tenderness in slow cooking, you can use breasts, though they may be slightly drier.
Why is apple cider added to the soup?
Apple cider adds a subtle sweetness and depth that complements the savory fennel and chicken flavors.
What kind of apple is recommended?
One finely chopped tart apple is recommended to balance the savory ingredients.
How do I prevent the soup from sticking to the crock pot?
Lightly spray the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray before adding any ingredients.
What is the initial layering order for the slow cooker?
Start by layering the fennel, onion, carrots, parsnips, celery, apple, mushrooms, and garlic at the bottom.
How is the chicken seasoned in this recipe?
The chicken chunks are seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper before being placed over the vegetables.
What are the temperature settings for the slow cooker?
Cook on high for 1 hour, then reduce to low for the remainder of the cooking time.
When should I add the cinnamon stick?
Add the cinnamon stick after the initial 3 hours of cooking (1 hour on high and 2 hours on low).
What type of pasta is used in the soup?
One cup of orzo pasta is added toward the end of the cooking process.
Which beans are used in this hearty soup?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of canned Great White beans, drained and rinsed.
How long does the orzo pasta need to cook?
The orzo should cook on low for approximately 1.5 hours, or until tender.
When do I remove the cinnamon stick?
Remove the cinnamon stick after the 1.5-hour cooking period with the pasta and beans is complete.
How is the baby spinach added?
Layer the baby spinach on top of the soup without stirring, then cover and cook on low for another 10 to 15 minutes.
What should I do if the orzo or chicken aren't tender yet?
If they are not yet tender after the suggested time, continue cooking on low for an additional 30 to 45 minutes.
What cheeses are used to finish the dish?
Stir in 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese at the end and garnish each serving with coarsely shredded asiago cheese.
How much liquid is required for this soup?
The recipe requires 5 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of apple cider.
Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
The recipe specifies canned beans; if using dried, they would need to be soaked and pre-cooked before adding.
What is the purpose of the parsnips?
Parsnips provide an earthy, sweet flavor profile that fits the autumn theme of the soup.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe uses two minced garlic cloves.
Is this soup more like a broth or a stew?
The recipe describes it as a soup that thickens into a satisfying meal similar to a stew.
What is a good side dish for this soup?
It is best served with hearty white bread and butter.
How much baby spinach is used?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of fresh baby spinach.
Can I substitute the Great White beans?
Yes, other white beans like Cannellini or Navy beans would work well as substitutes.
What size cinnamon stick should I use?
A 2-inch piece of a cinnamon stick is sufficient for the recipe.
When do I adjust the final seasoning?
After turning off the heat and stirring in the parmesan cheese, taste the soup and add salt or pepper if necessary.