Get ready to revolutionize your mealtime with a soul-warming soup that's not just a dish, but an experience! This Crockpot Butternut Squash Chicken and Quinoa Soup is the ultimate one-pot wonder that combines hearty chicken, creamy butternut squash, and nutritious quinoa into a meal that will have your family begging for seconds. Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with rich, aromatic flavors that require minimal effort but deliver maximum satisfaction – this recipe is about to become your new cold-weather obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup quinoa
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Peel and cube the butternut squash into roughly 1-inch pieces, ensuring even sizing for consistent cooking.
- Chop the onion into fine, uniform pieces to distribute flavor evenly throughout the soup.
- Mince the garlic cloves finely to release their aromatic properties and enhance the overall taste profile.
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot as the first layer, which will help them cook evenly and retain moisture.
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic directly over the chicken breasts to infuse flavor during slow cooking.
- Sprinkle the cubed butternut squash on top of the onions and garlic, creating an even layer.
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove any bitter coating before adding it to the crockpot.
- Pour the chicken broth over all ingredients, ensuring everything is mostly submerged.
- Season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme, distributing the spices evenly across the surface.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low heat for 6 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and chicken to become tender.
- After 6 hours, remove chicken breasts and shred them using two forks, then return to the soup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving hot.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, consider searing the chicken breasts briefly before placing them in the crockpot to enhance their depth of taste.
- Use fresh thyme if possible, as it will provide a more vibrant and aromatic flavor compared to dried herbs.
- If your butternut squash is particularly large, you might want to measure out approximately 4-5 cups of cubed squash to ensure the right balance in your soup.
- To make the soup even creamier, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend some of the squash after cooking, creating a more luxurious texture.
- For added nutrition and crunch, consider garnishing with toasted pumpkin seeds or a dollop of Greek yogurt when serving.
- If you prefer a thicker soup, you can remove the lid during the last hour of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and often taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 65mg
