Name: Slow Cooker Chicken Sausage And Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 7 h
Total time: 7 h 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 onion, diced; 2 stalks celery, diced; 2 carrots, peeled and diced; ½ teaspoon minced garlic; 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed; 4 chicken apple sausage links, halved and sliced into 1 inch pieces; 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes in tomato sauce; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 (32 ounce) carton low sodium chicken broth

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Perfect for chilly weather, this easy Slow Cooker Chicken Sausage And Lentil Soup is a low-effort meal that’s hearty and packed with flavor. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that lets your slow cooker turn the lentils, sausage, veggies, and spices into a delicious soup that’s seasoned to perfection.

This is one of those slow cooker recipes where you just can’t mess it up if you tried. Except for the minimal prep of chopping the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic, it’s pretty much a dump-and-go recipe that you can set on low for up to 8 hours and forget about it. You’ll come back home to a magically cooked, fragrant, and filling meal. What could be better?

Why You’ll Love This Lentil Soup:

Simple pantry ingredients
Minimal prep
Great for meal planning and leftovers
Hearty and filling
Can make easy swaps of ingredients

Ingredients Needed

Vegetables – Onion, celery, and carrots add flavor, seasoning, and texture.

Garlic – Minced; to add flavor.

Dried Lentils – Use whichever color you like – green, yellow, red, or brown.

Chicken Apple Sausage Links – Sliced. The sausage adds protein and flavor to the soup.

Diced Tomatoes In Tomato Sauce – Adds substance, flavor, and texture.

Seasonings – Dried thyme, salt, and pepper

Chicken Broth – I use low sodium.

How To Make The Lentil Soup

STEP 1: Prep and then place all ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to combine.

STEP 2: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.

Variations

Swap out the chicken sausage and use kielbasa or andouille sausage for a spicier flavor
Swap out the chicken broth for beef or vegetable broth
Swap out the plain canned tomatoes for fire-roasted tomatoes
Swap out the carrots for cubed sweet potato
Add in chopped kale during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
I love spinach, but I don’t add it in if I’m planning on having leftovers because it won’t hold up well. If you’re not planning on leftovers, feel free to add freshly chopped spinach during the last 10 minutes of cooking. It will wilt quickly and not turn to mush.

What Are Lentils?

Lentils are part of the legume family. Because they’re high in protein and fiber, they’re considered a powerhouse of nutrition, making them perfect for soups and stews.

Do I Have To Soak Lentils Before Cooking Them?

No, you do not. I do rinse them, just to remove any dirt or residue before adding them to the slow cooker. Lentils absorb liquid quickly, so the broth that is added to this recipe will help cook and soften them. The lentils will absorb the flavors in the broth or any liquid base.

Which Type Of Lentil Should I Use?

You can use any type, but just know that split lentils, like red or yellow will become softer in texture as they cook and may lose their shape. Brown and green lentils tend to hold up better in shape and texture. I’ve tried different ones and they’re all delicious in the end!

What To Serve With This Lentil Soup

I love to serve cornbread with this soup. My go-to is my easy cornbread recipe. If I have a little more time, my broccoli cornbread is also a favorite.

If you love garlic, my cheesy garlic bread would be delicious.

And if you’re looking for something simple that you can just slather butter on and enjoy with this lentil stew, my easy bread in a bag is the way to go.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the cooled soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Store the cooled soup in a freezer-safe airtight container or Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. If storing in a bag, be sure and remove the excess air before sealing. It will store best if you lay it flat in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop.

More Slow Cooker Soups

Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

Slow Cooker Kielbasa Soup Recipe

Slow Cooker White Bean and Chicken Enchilada Soup

6 servings