Chicken Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

I love this crockpot twist on chicken soup combining tender shredded chicken, sweet potatoes, and quinoa. The veggies with thyme and cumin bring an enticing, balanced flavor perfect for those busy days when healthy eats matter. Every spoonful is comfort wrapped in nourishing goodness that warms both body and soul.

I love making this Chicken Sweet Potato Soup in my crock pot because it’s super healthy and so filling. I think the combination of 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts and 2 diced medium sweet potatoes really give the soup its heartiness.

The low sodium chicken broth and 1 cup quinoa, rinsed really good, make it a perfect balance between protein and whole grains. I also add a diced medium yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 peeled chopped carrots for extra flavor and nutrition.

The 2 diced celery stalks, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp ground cumin tie everything together without overwhelming the natural taste of the ingredients. I usually season it with salt and pepper to taste and sometimes toss in an optional bay leaf for more depth.

This slow cooker sweet potato recipe is loaded with vitamins and minerals while keeping it satisfying and ideal for a healthy lifestyle.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it fills me up with healthy, hearty flavors and its super easy to make. The mix of sweet potatoes and quinoa gives it a great balance of natural sweetness and nuttiness that always pleases my taste buds. Plus i really appreciate how I can just toss everything in the crockpot without too much fuss and come back to a hot, savory meal after a long day. Lastly it’s awesome how the aroma fills up the whole house and instantly makes me feel comforted and at home.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: Lean protein that help muscle growth and aid in healing.
• Sweet potatoes: Natural sweetness with healthy carbohydrates and fiber for energy.
• Quinoa: A complete protein with fiber and good carbs that sustains energy.
• Carrots: Provide vitamins and add a mild sweetness which boost soup flavour.
• Celery: Offers a crunchy texture with vitamins and minerals for overall health.
• Onion: Adds aromatic flavor and beneficial antioxidants for a lively broth.
• Garlic: Boosts flavor and supports health through its active compounds and aroma.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed really good
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 bay leaf

How to Make this

1. First, place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot and season them with a bit of salt and pepper.

2. Add in the diced medium yellow onion, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and diced celery.

3. Next, toss in the peeled and diced sweet potatoes along with the rinsed quinoa.

4. Pour in the 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth over everything so all the flavors can mix together.

5. Sprinkle the dried thyme and ground cumin evenly across the ingredients.

6. If you’re using the bay leaf, drop that in too.

7. Give everything a gentle stir so nothing sticks to the bottom of the crockpot.

8. Set the crockpot on low and let the soup cook for about 6 to 8 hours.

9. After the cooking time, remove the bay leaf, and then take out the chicken breasts to shred them with two forks.

10. Mix the shredded chicken back into the soup, stir well, and adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving. Enjoy your super healthy soup!

Equipment Needed

1. Crockpot
2. Chef’s knife
3. Cutting board
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Stirring spoon
7. Two forks for shredding the chicken

FAQ

• Q: Can I swap out the quinoa for another grain?
  A: Sure, you can use rice or barley but quinoa gives it a cool nutty flavor and cooks faster which is pretty neat.
• Q: How long should I cook the chicken in the soup?
  A: The chicken usually takes about 20 – 25 minutes to be fully cooked so you can shred it after that. Just make sure it’s not overdone.
• Q: Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?
  A: Absolutely, you can dice the veggies and rinse the quinoa earlier. Just be careful not to add too much salt if you do extra prep.
• Q: What should I do if the soup is too thick?
  A: If it gets too thick, simply add a bit more broth or water. Adjusting the seasoning after that is a good idea too.
• Q: Is this recipe freezer friendly?
  A: Yes, it generally freezes well. However, the quinoa might change texture a bit so you might wanna cook it fresh when reheating.

Chicken Sweet Potato Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you cant find chicken broth thats low sodium you could use veggie broth instead its a good one!
• If you dont have quinoa try using brown rice its a cool swap and still gives you a hearty meal.
• Instead of chicken breasts you could use turkey breasts they cook in a similar way and taste yummy.
• If you are out of dried thyme then dried rosemary can work as a substitute for a slightly different flavor.
• When you dont find ground cumin you might use a pinch of chili powder to get that warm, spicy vibe.

Pro Tips

1) If you got a few extra minutes, try searing the chicken in a pan before tossing it in the crockpot. It really boosts the flavor and helps lock in the juices.

2) Make sure you rinse the quinoa really well – sometimes if you dont, it can leave a bitter taste in the soup.

3) Keep an eye on the liquid towards the end of cooking. If it starts to look too thick, a splash more broth or water can help keep everything smooth.

4) When its time to shred the chicken, be careful not to overmix everything. You wanna keep some nice chunks so you got different textures in your bowl.