Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Pizza Soup Recipe

Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless, this is the main protein of the dish.

Bbq sauce: Adds a tangy, sweet flavor to the soup.

Pizza sauce: Provides a rich, tomato-based depth to the soup.

Chicken broth: Forms the base of the soup, adding savory notes.

Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into the soup, giving it a creamy, cheesy texture.

Bell peppers: Adds a sweet and slightly crunchy element.

Onions: Provides a savory and aromatic base.

Garlic powder: Enhances the overall flavor with a hint of garlic.

Dried oregano: Adds a classic pizza herb flavor.

Dried basil: Complements the oregano and adds a fresh, herbal note.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the soup.

Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor profile.

To enhance the flavor of your chicken breast, consider searing it in a hot pan for a few minutes on each side before placing it in the slow cooker. This will create a nice caramelized crust, adding depth to the overall taste of the soup. Additionally, for a richer texture, you can sauté the diced onions and bell peppers in a bit of olive oil until they are slightly softened before adding them to the slow cooker. This step will help to release their natural sweetness and improve the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• boneless, skinless chicken breast - Substitute with boneless, skinless turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative.

• bbq sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor, which can complement the other ingredients in a unique way.

• pizza sauce - Substitute with marinara sauce: Marinara sauce has a similar tomato base and seasoning, making it a good alternative for pizza sauce.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar depth of flavor while keeping the dish suitable for vegetarians.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the soup.

• diced bell peppers - Substitute with diced zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and can add a different but pleasant flavor to the soup.

• diced onions - Substitute with diced shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.

• garlic powder - Substitute with minced fresh garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more robust and aromatic flavor.

• dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Thyme has a slightly different but complementary herbal flavor that works well in soups.

• dried basil - Substitute with dried parsley: Parsley offers a fresh and slightly peppery flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the soup.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the depth of the soup.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• Allow the soup to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the container, which can dilute the flavors.
• Transfer the BBQ chicken pizza soup to airtight containers. For convenience, use individual portion-sized containers for easy reheating.
• Label each container with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the soup has been stored.
• Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. This keeps the chicken and vegetables fresh.
• For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
• When ready to eat, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This ensures even thawing and maintains the quality of the ingredients.
• Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every minute to ensure even heating.
• If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
• Garnish with additional shredded mozzarella cheese or fresh herbs like basil or oregano before serving to enhance the flavors.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the leftover soup into a pot.
  2. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  3. Once the soup is hot and cheese is melted, serve immediately.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Ensure the soup is heated evenly and the cheese is melted before serving.

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Pour the leftover soup back into the slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to low and heat for 1-2 hours.
  3. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
  4. Once the soup is hot and the cheese is melted, serve directly from the slow cooker.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Transfer the soup to an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover with foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Heat in the oven for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Ensure the soup is hot and the cheese is melted before serving.

• Slow cooker: Used to cook the soup slowly over a period of time, ensuring all flavors meld together perfectly.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and clean surface to dice the bell peppers and onions.

• Chef's knife: Essential for dicing the bell peppers and onions with precision.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the bbq sauce, pizza sauce, and chicken broth accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the garlic powder, oregano, and basil.

• Mixing spoon: Used to stir the ingredients together in the slow cooker.

• Tongs: Handy for removing the chicken breasts from the slow cooker for shredding.

• Forks: Used to shred the cooked chicken breast before returning it to the slow cooker.

• Cheese grater: If not using pre-shredded mozzarella, this tool will help you grate the cheese.

• Serving ladle: Used to serve the hot soup into bowls.

Pre-cut vegetables: Dice the bell peppers and onions the night before to save time in the morning.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to skip the grating step.

Instant pot option: If you have an Instant Pot, use it to cook the chicken faster by setting it to the poultry setting for 15 minutes.

Batch cook chicken: Cook and shred extra chicken breast in advance, then freeze portions for future use.

Store-bought sauces: Use store-bought BBQ sauce and pizza sauce to cut down on prep time.