Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup | Easy & Homemade Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Crockpot chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort dish, blending tender chicken, flavorful broth, and perfectly cooked noodles into a bowl of warmth and nourishment. What makes this dish special is its simplicity combined with the depth of flavor that develops over slow cooking. Using a crockpot allows the ingredients to meld together naturally, producing rich, hearty broth and tender chicken that melts in your mouth.

Home cooks love crockpot chicken noodle soup because it’s forgiving, easy to prepare, and provides consistent results every time. Unlike stovetop versions, the slow cooker ensures flavors intensify gradually, while the noodles remain tender when added at the right moment. Each spoonful delivers a harmonious balance of savory broth, aromatic vegetables, and hearty protein, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, cozy meals, or when you need a soothing bowl of homemade soup.

This dish is more than just a soup; it’s a culinary staple for families, a nurturing meal for the sick or tired, and a showcase of how slow-cooked comfort food can transform simple ingredients into an unforgettable experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crockpot chicken noodle soup stands out for several reasons:

  • Time-Saving Convenience: Using a crockpot allows you to set it and forget it while flavors develop, freeing up time for other tasks.
  • Deep, Layered Flavor: Slow cooking enhances the taste of vegetables, herbs, and chicken, producing a rich, savory broth that tastes like it simmered for hours.
  • Tender Chicken: The crockpot ensures chicken breasts or thighs remain juicy, shredding easily for perfect texture in every bite.
  • Customizable Ingredients: You can adjust vegetables, seasonings, or noodle types to suit your family’s preferences without compromising flavor.
  • Versatile Meal: Perfect as a light lunch, comforting dinner, or meal prep for the week. It pairs beautifully with fresh bread or a side salad.

Preparation and Cooking Time

  • Preparation Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 4–6 hours on low, or 2–3 hours on high
  • Total Time: 4–6 hours 15 minutes
  • Servings: 6–8

Ingredients

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Base

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
  • 2 cups egg noodles or pasta of choice
  • Optional: 1/4 cup heavy cream for a creamy twist

Substitution Notes:

  • Chicken thighs can replace breasts for extra flavor.
  • Gluten-free pasta can replace traditional noodles.
  • Fresh herbs can replace dried herbs; add towards the end of cooking.
  • Use frozen chicken if desired, adjusting cooking time slightly.
Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Step-by-Step Instructions

noodle

Step 1: Prepare Vegetables and Garlic

Wash, peel, and slice carrots and celery. Dice the onion finely and mince garlic cloves. Prepare all vegetables in advance to streamline the crockpot cooking process.

noodle

Step 2: Layer Ingredients in Crockpot

Place chicken at the bottom of the crockpot. Add sliced carrots, celery, diced onion, and minced garlic on top. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is submerged. Sprinkle thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, and black pepper evenly over the ingredients.

noodle

Step 3: Slow Cook the Soup

Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. During this time, flavors meld, and the chicken becomes tender.

noodle

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the soup. This step ensures perfectly tender pieces distributed throughout the broth.

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Step 5: Add Noodles

Add egg noodles or your preferred pasta to the crockpot. Cook for an additional 15–20 minutes on high, or until noodles are tender. If adding heavy cream, stir it in at this stage to create a richer, creamier broth.

noodle

Step 6: Adjust Seasoning and Serve

Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Stir well and serve hot, ensuring each bowl has a balanced mix of chicken, vegetables, and noodles.

How to Serve

Serve crockpot chicken noodle soup in deep bowls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. Pair it with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or a light side salad for a complete meal. For extra flair, add a dash of grated Parmesan or a few drops of lemon juice to brighten flavors. For family-style presentation, serve directly from the crockpot with ladle, allowing guests to portion their servings.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Additional Tips

  • Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and enhance overall flavor.
  • Avoid overcooking noodles by adding them toward the end of cooking.
  • For more aromatic depth, sauté onion and garlic briefly before adding to crockpot.
  • Taste periodically and adjust seasoning; slow-cooked soups can intensify in flavor.
  • For a creamy version, add heavy cream at the end rather than during the entire cooking process to prevent curdling.

Recipe Variations

  • Creamy Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a richer broth.
  • Vegetable-Packed Version: Add diced potatoes, zucchini, or green beans for extra nutrition and heartiness.
  • Herb-Infused Soup: Use fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley for a more fragrant, gourmet flavor.
  • Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne for subtle heat.

Freezing and Storage

  • To Store: Refrigerate soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • To Freeze: Remove noodles before freezing; freeze the broth, chicken, and vegetables in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Add fresh noodles during reheating for best texture.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

  • Calories: 250
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Sodium: 600mg

Final Words

Crockpot chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort dish that combines ease, flavor, and nourishment. By letting ingredients slowly meld together, you achieve tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a savory, flavorful broth without constant attention. This recipe is ideal for busy home cooks who want a homemade soup that tastes like it simmered for hours. Whether enjoyed as a cozy weeknight dinner, a soothing meal when feeling under the weather, or a wholesome family lunch, crockpot chicken noodle soup is a timeless favorite worth making and sharing.

FAQ’s

Yes, frozen chicken works well. Increase cooking time slightly to ensure chicken is fully cooked.

Yes, add 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half toward the end of cooking for a richer broth.

Add noodles in the last 15–20 minutes of cooking. For freezing, omit noodles and add fresh ones when reheating.

Absolutely. Prepare up to the point before adding noodles and refrigerate. Add noodles when reheating.

Yes, it freezes well (without noodles) and can be portioned for lunches or dinners.

Yes, carrots, celery, zucchini, peas, or potatoes all work well to enhance nutrition and flavor.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup | Easy & Homemade Recipe

Recipe by Bella SkyeCourse: Soup Recipes
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

4

hours 
Calories

250

kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

  • 2 celery stalks, sliced

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste

  • 2 cups egg noodles or pasta of choice

  • Optional: 1/4 cup heavy cream for a creamy twist

Directions

  • Wash, peel, and slice carrots and celery. Dice the onion finely and mince garlic cloves. Prepare all vegetables in advance to streamline the crockpot cooking process.
  • Place chicken at the bottom of the crockpot. Add sliced carrots, celery, diced onion, and minced garlic on top. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is submerged. Sprinkle thyme, parsley, rosemary, salt, and black pepper evenly over the ingredients.
  • Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low for 4–6 hours or on high for 2–3 hours. During this time, flavors meld, and the chicken becomes tender.
  • Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the soup. This step ensures perfectly tender pieces distributed throughout the broth.
  • Add egg noodles or your preferred pasta to the crockpot. Cook for an additional 15–20 minutes on high, or until noodles are tender. If adding heavy cream, stir it in at this stage to create a richer, creamier broth.
  • Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, or herbs as needed. Stir well and serve hot, ensuring each bowl has a balanced mix of chicken, vegetables, and noodles.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and enhance overall flavor.
  • Avoid overcooking noodles by adding them toward the end of cooking.
  • For more aromatic depth, sauté onion and garlic briefly before adding to crockpot.
  • Taste periodically and adjust seasoning; slow-cooked soups can intensify in flavor.
  • For a creamy version, add heavy cream at the end rather than during the entire cooking process to prevent curdling.

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