Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Soup

This Whole Chicken Soup in a Slow Cooker is hearty, comforting, and simple to make. It's great for cold days or when you want a quick and easy meal that will warm you up. The slow cooker does all the work and adds delicious flavors to the soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken about 4 pounds, giblets removed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup uncooked rice or pasta optional
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

Place the whole chicken in the slow cooker

Add chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic on top of the chicken

Pour in the chicken broth

Add bay leaves, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender

If using rice or pasta, stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred the meat using two forks

Discard bones and skin

Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed

Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley