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Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

If you’re craving a warm hug in a bowl, you’re in for a treat with this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe. I absolutely love how effortlessly it comes together and how comforting it tastes after a long day. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, you’ll find this soup hits all the right notes — hearty, flavorful, and just pure home-cooked goodness.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Hands-Off Cooking: You literally dump everything into the crockpot and let it do its magic — perfect for busy days or lazy weekends.
  • Rich, Layered Flavor: Fresh thyme, garlic, and bay leaf infuse the broth with an irresistible aroma and depth.
  • Tender Chicken & Perfect Noodles: The slow cooker makes the chicken melt-in-your-mouth tender while the noodles cook to just the right texture.
  • Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this, especially on chilly evenings — plus, it freezes beautifully!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is how simple, fresh ingredients come together to create something truly heartwarming. Keep an eye out for fresh herbs if you can, and choose good-quality chicken stock—it makes a big difference.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped onion, peeled and chopped large carrots, chopped celery ribs, minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme sprigs, a single bay leaf, whole uncracked brown eggs, small white ceramic bowls containing salt and black pepper, small white ceramic bowl of chicken stock, a pile of fresh egg noodles, fresh parsley leaves, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup, slow cooker chicken noodle soup recipe, easy chicken noodle soup, comforting homemade chicken soup, hearty slow cooker soup
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: These cook up tender and shred easily, making for a perfect soup texture.
  • Chopped onion: Adds a subtle sweet and savory base flavor.
  • Carrots: Peel and chop for natural sweetness and color.
  • Celery ribs: Provides that classic soup crunch and freshness.
  • Minced garlic: Garlic heightens the depth—don’t skip it!
  • Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs: Thyme is my go-to, but rosemary adds a lovely piney twist (see note below).
  • Bay leaf: Brings subtle earthiness to the broth—just remember to remove it before serving.
  • Salt and black pepper: Essentials for balancing flavors.
  • Chicken stock or low sodium chicken broth: I prefer low sodium so I can control seasoning later.
  • Egg noodles: Adds comfort and heartiness—no instant versions, fresh or dried is best.
  • Fresh parsley (optional): Brightens the soup with a pop of green and freshness.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is — once you get the basics down, it’s easy to tweak based on what you have or your family’s preferences. Don’t be shy about making it your own!

  • Use Fresh Herbs: I switch thyme for rosemary sometimes, which gives the broth a lovely fragrant twist that my guests always comment on.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap egg noodles for gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies like zucchini for a lighter version.
  • Veggie Boost: Toss in diced potatoes or parsnips if you want extra heartiness.
  • Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce after cooking for subtle heat.

How to Make Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Step 1: Load Your Crockpot Just Right

First, place your chicken breasts right on the bottom of the crockpot. Then pile on the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Don’t forget the fresh thyme sprigs or rosemary, the bay leaf, and season everything lightly with salt and pepper. Pour in the chicken stock last — this layering really helps the flavors meld and the chicken to cook evenly without drying out.

Step 2: Slow Cook Low and Slow

Cover and set your slow cooker to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 if you’re short on time. Patience is key here—the extra time on low produces incredibly tender chicken and perfectly softened veggies. I always check the chicken with a quick temp read; it should hit 165°F in the center to be perfectly cooked and safe.

Step 3: Shred Chicken and Add Noodles

Once done, remove the bay leaf and herb stems (they’ve done their job!). Transfer chicken to a plate or bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes—this makes shredding easier and keeps the meat juicy. Shred with two forks, then stir the chicken back into the crockpot. Switch your crockpot to high, add the egg noodles, and cook for another 10 minutes or until tender but not mushy. I found that stirring once during this step helps prevent the noodles from clumping together.

Step 4: Taste and Finish

Give it a taste! This is the moment to adjust salt and pepper to your liking. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle on some fresh parsley for a bright herbal note. Serve hot and enjoy that cozy, homemade bliss!

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Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

  • Avoid Overcooking the Noodles: Add noodles towards the end and keep an eye on texture; too long and they get mushy.
  • Use Low Sodium Broth: I learned this the hard way—control your salt by starting low and seasoning later.
  • Shred Chicken While Warm: It’s so much easier and ensures the chicken soaks up more flavor when returned to the soup.
  • Don’t Skip Resting the Chicken: Resting keeps juices locked in — I used to shred immediately and noticed drier meat.

How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

The image shows two white bowls filled with chicken noodle soup placed on a white marbled surface. Each bowl contains clear broth with three main layers: beige spiral egg noodles at the bottom, mixed with orange carrot pieces and light green celery cubes in the middle, and topped with white shredded chicken pieces and small green herb sprigs like parsley and rosemary. Next to the bowls, there are three white slices of toasted bread with a golden crust, and some parsley leaves are scattered around for decoration. A blue and white striped cloth is partially visible under one bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup, slow cooker chicken noodle soup recipe, easy chicken noodle soup, comforting homemade chicken soup, hearty slow cooker soup

Garnishes

I usually go with a simple sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and brightness, but sometimes I add a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper or even a tiny squeeze of lemon juice to cut through the richness. A little drizzle of good olive oil works wonders too if you want to fancy it up.

Side Dishes

When my family and I dive into this soup, I love pairing it with crispy garlic bread or warm crusty rolls for dipping. A light side salad with a tangy vinaigrette also complements the soup’s warmth beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a cozy dinner party, I serve this soup in rustic bread bowls — it’s a real crowd-pleaser and super fun! Another time, I layered the soup in clear glass mugs with a little sprinkle of cheese on top for a cute presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I separate the noodles if I expect to keep it for longer because they soak up broth and get soggy. This trick really helps keep everything tasting fresh.

Freezing

Freezing is totally doable and I highly recommend it! I freeze the soup without noodles and add fresh ones when reheating. This keeps the noodles from becoming mushy and preserves the texture beautifully.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the soup gently on the stove over medium heat until simmering. If frozen, add fresh egg noodles and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so noodles cook evenly. Microwave’s great for quick meals but stirring often is key to avoid hotspots.

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe?

    Yes, you can start with frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Just keep in mind that it might extend the cooking time slightly — make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before shredding to be safe.

  2. What type of noodles work best in this recipe?

    Egg noodles are my go-to for this soup because they cook quickly and have that comforting bite. However, you can swap in any pasta you like, just adjust cooking time accordingly, and consider adding them at the end to avoid mushiness.

  3. Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

    You could swap the chicken for hearty vegetables or plant-based proteins and use vegetable broth instead. Just note the cooking times and textures may vary. This recipe is designed around chicken, so expect a different flavor profile.

  4. How can I prevent the noodles from getting mushy?

    Add the noodles just during the last 10 minutes of cooking on high, and don’t overcook. Alternatively, cook noodles separately and stir them in when serving for perfect texture every time.

  5. Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh?

    Absolutely! Use about one-third of the amount if substituting dried herbs for fresh since dried are more concentrated. For this soup, one teaspoon dried thyme works well.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe truly feels like a warm embrace on a chilly day—the kind you want to come back to again and again. I’ve found it’s the perfect balance of simple ingredients, easy prep, and delicious results, which always makes my family smile. If you haven’t tried making soup in the crockpot before, this recipe is a foolproof way to start. Trust me, once you make this, it will become your go-to comfort food staple in no time!

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Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 149 reviews
  • Author: Jaden
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

A comforting and easy-to-make Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, and hearty egg noodles simmered to perfection in chicken broth. Perfect for busy days, this dump-and-go slow cooker recipe yields a warm, satisfying meal that’s ideal for chilly evenings.


Ingredients

Chicken and Broth

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 cups chicken stock or low sodium chicken broth

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 3 ribs celery, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Noodles and Garnish

  • 7 ounces egg noodles (about 3 cups)
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for serving)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, thyme sprigs, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and pour in the chicken stock or broth.
  2. Cook on Low or High: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (internal temperature should reach at least 165°F) and the vegetables have softened.
  3. Remove Herbs: Take out the bay leaf and thyme stems from the soup and discard them. Many thyme leaves will fall into the soup and add flavor.
  4. Shred the Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl or cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then shred the chicken into small pieces using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.
  5. Cook the Noodles: If the slow cooker is not already on high, switch it to the high setting. Stir in the egg noodles, cover, and cook on high for about 10 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
  6. Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • This recipe is a convenient dump-and-go slow cooker meal, perfect for busy schedules.
  • Using fresh rosemary as a substitute for thyme will impart a slightly different aromatic flavor.
  • For a lower sodium option, use low sodium chicken broth and adjust salt accordingly.
  • Letting the chicken rest before shredding helps retain juices and enhances texture.
  • Adding fresh parsley at the end brightens the flavor and presentation.
  • The soup is best served fresh but can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 269 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 582 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 64 mg

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