Today my husband (Mr. Loaves and Dishes) and I are on day eight of what started as “a cold” and has turned into what I jokingly call “THE snotty coughing death.” I had plans for new recipes this week — a springy pizza and a different spaghetti — but I only had the energy to make this comforting Crockpot Cheesy Potato and Chicken Soup. I hope you’ll forgive the short intro and that next week I’ll be back to my usual kitchen-playing self. In the meantime, I hope you don’t catch this bug. My husband came down with it last week and by Tuesday I was feeling it too. The bright side: I improvised a new crockpot recipe based on what I had in the pantry and it turned out great.
You’ll know the crud is upon you when you start sneezing and think it’s spring allergies — hint: it’s probably not. It escalates quickly, so instead of the gory details I’ll just share my bowl of soup. Honestly, though, you should make your own bowl; sharing dinnerware while sick is not ideal. This soup is perfect for a cold or rainy day, and really — when is cheese, potatoes, and chicken not perfect? It’s especially lovely when you come home to a finished crockpot meal and only need to add a few things before eating. Below is the recipe up front; if you want to chat, meet me after the recipe and photos and we’ll talk.
THE RECIPE FOR CROCKPOT CHEESY POTATO AND CHICKEN SOUP
Crockpot Cheesy Potato and Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 3 large baking potatoes (Russets work well; peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 large bone-in chicken breast (skin on)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup water
- 1 block cream cheese (8 oz, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 4 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon season-all salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Garnish: green onion (optional: bacon bits or shredded cheddar)
Instructions
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Place the potatoes, chicken breast, cream of chicken soup, water, cream cheese cubes, bouillon cubes, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle flakes, season-all salt, black pepper, cumin, and thyme in the crockpot. Cook on High for 4–5 hours or on Low for 6–8 hours. When done, remove the chicken, shred it with a fork, and discard the bones and skin.
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Before serving, stir in the heavy cream, whole milk, and Parmesan cheese. You may need to let the soup sit about 20 minutes so everything warms through.
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Garnish with green onion, bacon bits, or shredded cheddar, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CROCKPOT CHEESY POTATO AND CHICKEN SOUP
- If your chicken breast was frozen and you thawed it in the microwave, cut it into large chunks so it finishes cooking through within the shorter crockpot time.
- For extra depth, you can sauté onions, garlic, and bacon, then sear the chicken before adding everything to the crockpot. Deglaze the pan with the water and scrape the browned bits into the crockpot. This adds about 10 minutes of work but gives a richer flavor. I usually avoid extra prep for crockpot recipes because one of the crockpot’s main advantages for me is simplicity — toss in ingredients in the morning and come home to dinner.
- If you have chicken broth on hand, substitute it for the water and bouillon cubes for a cleaner flavor.
- The chipotle flakes add a pleasant smoky heat. Reduce or omit them if you prefer a milder soup, or swap in red pepper flakes if you want straightforward heat without smoke.
- You can use dark meat instead of white — thighs or a combination will be delicious and may be even more flavorful.
- Serve this soup with a crisp green salad or a grilled cheese sandwich for a satisfying meal.
- You might also enjoy related recipes on the original site for freezing soup or an Amish-style potato soup.
OTHER STUFF BESIDES CROCKPOT CHEESY POTATO AND CHICKEN SOUP
Which crockpot tribe are you in? I belong to the group that wants true dump-and-go crockpot recipes — toss ingredients in the morning and come home to dinner. As a busy working mom for many years, my crockpot felt like a caring helper that filled the house with good smells while we were gone. I get impatient with recipes that require extensive prep or last-minute cooking after the crockpot is done. If you find a crockpot recipe on Loaves and Dishes, chances are it’s designed to be simple and mostly hands-off. Tell me which tribe you belong to in the comments — I love hearing from readers!
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ~ John 1:4