If you’re anything like us then there are times when you don’t mind staying near the kitchen all day to simmer a batch of homemade soup on the stovetop—and there are other times when you really need from-scratch with less fuss. These are the recipes we reach for when we need a helping hand. By taking advantage of your slow cooker you can make everything from chicken soup to beef stew for hardly any effort at all.

One of our go-to recipes? This comforting classic. Slow-cook aromatic vegetables with chicken thighs to make a delicious broth. You can customize the soup by replacing noodles with your favorite cooked grains as well.