Lemony chicken and lentil soup

Hearty and filling, this soup involves minimal preparation before going into the slow cooker. Dry lentils, which don’t require soaking like dried beans, are a filling, healthy addition. A note for buying lentils: brown or green lentils hold their shape better and will give the soup more texture, while red, orange, or yellow lentils dissolve as they cook, creating a smoother soup. Choose whichever variety you like. The lemon, spinach, and dill are fresh last-minute additions that add color and a boost of flavor. To quickly thaw the spinach before adding it to the soup, remove it from the package, place it in a microwavable bowl, and microwave on high for about 3 minutes or until thawed. Then squeeze it dry before adding it to the slow cooker.