Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Best Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Cozy Family Nights

Comfort arrives with this hearty crockpot chicken noodle soup that promises warmth in every spoonful.

Slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a magical meal bursting with flavor.

Cold days call for something special, and this recipe answers that need perfectly.

Tender chicken, soft noodles, and rich broth blend together like culinary poetry.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction when you let your crockpot work its magic.

Veggies and herbs dance together, creating a symphony of taste that feels like a hug from the kitchen.

We bet you’ll want seconds – maybe even thirds – of this soul-soothing classic.

Chicken Noodle Soup In A Crockpot Makes Healing Delicious

  • Time-Saving Comfort: Minimal hands-on time allows you to walk away while the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, nourishing meal that's ready when you are.
  • Versatile Family Pleaser: Packed with tender chicken, soft vegetables, and comforting noodles, this soup appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution.
  • Customizable Nutrition: Easily adapt the recipe by switching vegetables, using different seasonings, or adding extra protein to suit dietary preferences and keeping meals interesting.

Chicken Noodle Soup Slow Cooker Mix

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides the main protein for the soup, choose boneless and skinless for easier preparation.
Vegetables:
  • Carrots, Celery, Onion: Classic soup vegetables that add flavor, texture, and nutrition, with carrots bringing sweetness, celery offering a subtle crunch, and onions providing depth.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall savory profile of the soup.
Liquid and Seasonings:
  • Chicken Broth: Foundational liquid that creates the soup's base, provides rich flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
  • Egg Noodles: Classic soup noodles that add heartiness and comfort to the dish.
  • Thyme, Bay Leaf, Parsley: Herbs that bring layers of aromatic flavors, with thyme offering earthiness, bay leaf adding subtle complexity, and parsley providing a fresh finish.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the soup's overall taste, helping to highlight the other ingredients.

Chicken Noodle Soup In Crockpot Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Protein and Produce

Toss whole chicken breasts or thighs into your crockpot.

Chop up these fresh ingredients:
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Onions
  • Minced garlic

Pour chicken broth over the ingredients and sprinkle in dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Base

Cover the crockpot and let everything simmer.

Choose your cooking time based on your schedule:
  • Low setting: 6-7 hours
  • High setting: 3-4 hours

The chicken will become incredibly tender and infuse the broth with rich flavor.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the crockpot.

Using two forks, gently pull the meat apart into bite-sized shreds.

Return the shredded chicken back to the pot.

Step 4: Add Noodles for Comfort

Drop in your favorite egg noodles or pasta.

Let them cook and absorb the delicious broth for 20-30 minutes until they reach perfect tenderness.

Step 5: Final Touches and Serving

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a bright finish.

Ladle into bowls and enjoy your homemade comfort meal.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup – Tips For Tender Chicken

  • Sauté onions and garlic before adding to crockpot for a richer, more complex taste profile.
  • Use egg noodles or fresh pasta for the best texture and prevent mushiness during slow cooking.
  • Place chicken breasts on top of vegetables to keep meat moist and tender throughout cooking process.
  • Swap regular noodles with gluten-free alternatives or zucchini noodles for low-carb version.
  • Add extra vegetables like kale or spinach during last 30 minutes of cooking for increased vitamins and minerals.

Chicken Noodle Soup in the Crockpot: Reheat and Store Tips

  • Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
  • Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick, restoring its original consistency.
  • Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a pot. Stir frequently and add extra broth if needed to maintain the soup's creamy texture.

Perfect Matches for Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Enhance Comfort with Red Wine: Select a light-bodied Pinot Noir to complement the soup's savory chicken and vegetable flavors, cutting through the richness while adding subtle fruity notes.
  • Boost Warmth with Crusty Bread: Serve a rustic sourdough or garlic-herb focaccia alongside the soup, perfect for dipping and soaking up the flavorful broth.
  • Elevate with Fresh Herb Salad: Prepare a crisp side salad with mixed greens, fresh parsley, and a light lemon vinaigrette to provide a bright, refreshing contrast to the hearty soup.
  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Choose a Sauvignon Blanc with its zesty acidity and herbal undertones to match the soup's delicate seasonings and cleanse the palate.

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Served in New Ways

  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace regular noodles with rice noodles or zucchini spirals for a celiac-safe version that maintains the soup's hearty texture.
  • Low-Carb Option: Swap pasta with cauliflower rice or use miracle noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the protein-rich chicken base.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Ensure all broth and seasonings are dairy-free, which is naturally possible with this recipe's simple ingredient list.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth and increasing vegetable variety for a protein-packed meat-free soup.

FAQs

  • Why use a crockpot for chicken noodle soup?

Crockpots allow ingredients to slow cook, developing deeper flavors and making chicken incredibly tender without constant monitoring.

  • Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can add frozen chicken directly to the crockpot. Just increase cooking time by 1-2 hours to ensure it cooks thoroughly and reaches safe internal temperature.

  • What type of noodles work best for this soup?

Wide egg noodles are classic and hold up well during cooking. You can also use whole wheat or gluten-free noodles depending on dietary preferences.

  • How can I make the soup more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like carrots, celery, or spinach. Consider using bone broth instead of regular chicken broth for additional nutrients and richer flavor.

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Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe


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4.5 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty “Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup” brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, warming souls with its rich, homemade goodness. Tender chicken, golden noodles, and garden-fresh vegetables merge into a soul-soothing bowl you’ll want to savor slowly.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 3 chicken breasts or thighs

Vegetables:

  • 3 carrots
  • 3 celery stalks
  • 1 onion
  • 3 garlic cloves

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquid:

  • 6 cups (48 fluid ounces) chicken broth

Pasta:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles

Instructions

  1. Nestle whole chicken pieces into the crockpot, creating a hearty base layer with a mix of chopped carrots, celery, and diced onions.
  2. Crush fresh garlic cloves and sprinkle throughout the mixture, then pour chicken broth to generously cover the ingredients.
  3. Infuse the liquid with dried thyme, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to enhance the soup’s aromatic profile.
  4. Cover and slow cook on low temperature for approximately 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender and easily separable.
  5. Carefully extract chicken pieces using tongs, gently shred the meat with two forks, and return the pulled meat back into the simmering broth.
  6. Introduce uncooked egg noodles directly into the hot liquid, stirring gently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  7. Continue cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes until noodles reach perfect al dente texture, absorbing the rich, savory broth.
  8. Taste and fine-tune seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
  9. Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a generous mix of tender chicken, soft noodles, and colorful vegetables.

Notes

  • Swap chicken breasts with bone-in thighs for richer, more tender meat that falls apart easily during slow cooking.
  • Skip egg noodles and use gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or rice noodles for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or diced carrots during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Enhance flavor depth by sautéing onions and garlic before adding to the crockpot, which releases more complex, caramelized notes.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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