Chicken Lime Soup

Citrus meets savory in this mouthwatering Chicken Lime Soup. Light, tangy, and perfect for dinner, it’s made with vegetable or chicken broth, veggies, and herbs! And the lime is just the ticket for a simple soup that’s anything but bland! {Paleo} 

Spiriteds, I almost didn’t make this soup. Almost. I worried the lime wouldn’t cook well in a slow cooker. But I needn’t have worried. Chicken Lime Soup is refreshingly delicious. It’s simple, straightforward, light, and comforting. Citrus meets savory. And it’s well-suited to a slow cooker.

Even better? It doesn’t take long to simmer. Sometimes I LOVE slow cooker soups that take eight to 10 hours to make. They usually result in tender, juicy, succulent proteins with intense flavors. But sometimes I remember at noon that I have nothing prepared for dinner. Since I don’t want to eat that late and I may not have a lot of time to prep a meal at five, a slow cooker soup that only needs 4-6 hours to cook is just what I’m looking for.

We’re all safe at home right now, so we prepare this at lunchtime so it cooks throughout the afternoon. On Sundays, we’re in an online class that wraps up just as dinner is about to start. So, again, we prepare it during the early afternoon and dig in when class is over.

Even though the cook time is shorter than other slow cooker recipes, each bite is tender, succulent, and savory. What’s not to love?

If you’re in the market for a short slow cooker soup recipe, then let’s do this! Join us in our new Sunday night tradition!

CHICKEN LIME SOUP INGREDIENTS

Here are the tasty ingredients you’ll need to make your own Chicken Lime Soup!

• Chicken breasts. One pound, sliced or cubed.
• Onion. Cut into wedges.
• Coconut oil and sea salt. To sauté the chicken and onion prior to slow cooking the soup.
• Broth. Chicken or vegetable. If you don’t have enough to make three cups, water will also work.
• Vegetables. Baby carrots and cauliflower, I cook the carrots in the slow cooker from the start. I add the cauliflower florets with about an hour left of cooking time. That way they florets soften without becoming mushy.
• Bay leaves and fresh or dried thyme. These two ingredients add extra flavor to the soup without overpowering it.
• Lime juice. Fresh is great, but bottled will work, too.

Psst! Top your soup with tortilla chips. So good! 😍

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN LIME SOUP

You’ll notice in the steps below that I sauté the onion and then the chicken breasts prior to adding them to the slow cooker. And you may wonder if that’s really necessary. The quick answer is, technically, no, you don’t have to sauté them first. But let me tell you why I do. 

One, it adds a rich flavor to the onion and the chicken. And then that same rich flavor is transferred to the soup. SO YUMMO. Now that I’ve started doing this I can’t go back. Two, sautéing the chicken prior to slow cooking removes some of the film that often rises to the top in slow cooker chicken recipes. I sauté the chicken first and then, using a slotted spoon, transfer it to the slow cooker. 

So you do you!

1. In a slow cooker, combine the broth, carrots, bay leaves, fresh or dried thyme, and lime juice. In a skillet, combine the coconut oil (enough to cover the pan) and sea salt. Then add the onion wedges and sauté over a MEDIUM heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the onion wedges are translucent. Transfer the onion wedges to the slow cooker. In the same skillet add the chicken breasts and add, if necessary, more coconut oil and sea salt. Sauté the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, or until the outer portion starts to turn white. Using a slotted spoon transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
2. Set the slow cooker to LOW, about 4 to 6 hours. With about an hour of cook time remaining, add the chopped cauliflower florets.
3. Once the soup is cooked, garnish with green onion, chopped cashews, or tortilla chips, if desired.

MORE COMFORT SOUP RECIPES!

When I want great flavor and comfort food vibes, these are the soups I turn to!

• Dairy-Free Scallop Chowder
• Paleo Rustic Chicken Stew
• Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Soup
• Creamy Roasted Garlic and Onion Soup
• Paleo Chicken Fajita Soup

Take care of yourselves, friends! I’m glad you’re here! ❤️

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