Soothing Homemade Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe for Cold Days

When comfort calls, nothing beats a hearty homemade crockpot chicken noodle soup that warms you from the inside out.

Tender chicken, soft noodles, and rich broth blend together in a slow-cooked symphony of flavors.

Each spoonful carries memories of grandma’s kitchen and cozy winter afternoons.

The aroma fills your home with a welcoming embrace that promises pure deliciousness.

Fresh vegetables and perfectly seasoned broth create a nutritious meal that feels like a warm hug.

Simple ingredients transform into a soul-soothing dish that everyone at the table will adore.

This recipe offers an easy path to comfort food bliss that you won’t want to miss.

Why This Chicken Noodle Soup Stands Out

• Create a hearty, comforting meal with minimal hands-on preparation, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients, adjusting seasonings, or adding extra vegetables to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Deliver a classic, soul-warming dish that appeals to all ages, making it an ideal option for family dinners, potlucks, or when you need a reliable crowd-pleaser.
• Leverage the slow cooker's magic to transform simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful soup while you go about your day, with minimal monitoring required.

Key Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken Noodle

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that forms the hearty foundation of the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a deep, savory flavor base for the soup.
• Carrots, Celery: Classic soup vegetables that add sweetness and earthy notes.

• Dried Thyme, Rosemary: Herbal seasonings that bring warmth and depth to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the overall taste.
• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle, complex background flavor.
• Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base: Concentrated flavor booster that intensifies the chicken taste.
• Chicken Broth: Creates the liquid base of the soup.

• Egg Noodles: Soft, comforting pasta that completes the classic chicken noodle soup.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds a pop of color and flavor.

Making Chicken Noodle Soup in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker.

• Diced onions
• Sliced carrots
• Chopped celery
• Minced garlic

Sprinkle dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper over the ingredients.

Tuck in a bay leaf for extra depth of flavor.

Step 2: Create the Liquid Foundation

Spread chicken base over the ingredients.

Pour chicken broth into the slow cooker.

Gently stir the contents to distribute seasonings without completely mixing everything.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set the slow cooker to LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.

Low and slow cooking helps the chicken become incredibly tender and allows flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 4: Breakdown the Chicken

Remove chicken from the slow cooker.

Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Discard the bay leaf.

Return shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.

Step 5: Introduce the Noodles

Add egg noodles to the soup.

Cook for 10-15 minutes on LOW until noodles reach perfect tenderness.

Watch carefully to prevent overcooking.

Step 6: Final Touches

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed.

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting warmth of homemade soup.

Handy Tips for Chicken Noodle Soup

• Remove visible fat from chicken breasts to prevent greasy broth and ensure a cleaner, healthier soup texture.
• Cook noodles separately and add to individual servings to maintain soup consistency and prevent soggy noodles over multiple days.
• Wait until the end to adjust salt levels, as bouillon and chicken base already contribute significant seasoning to the soup.
• Use low temperature setting for 6-8 hours to achieve more tender chicken and develop deeper flavor profiles.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add bright color and enhance overall taste of the homemade chicken noodle soup.

Saving and Warming Up Chicken Noodle Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing noodles separately to maintain best texture.
• Transfer desired portion to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick.
• Pour soup into a pot, add a little extra broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Stir gently to keep noodles intact and prevent overcooking.

Ideal Pairings for Chicken Noodle Soup

• Perfectly Paired Wine Selection: Uncork a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or light Pinot Grigio to complement the soup's delicate chicken and vegetable flavors, cutting through the richness with its bright acidity.
• Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or garlic-herb focaccia alongside the soup, perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth and adding a delightful textural contrast.
• Refreshing Side Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth, introducing a fresh and tangy element to the meal.
• Comfort Drink Pairing: Brew a mug of mild chamomile tea or light ginger tea to enhance the soup's soothing qualities, providing a gentle, warming companion to this comforting dish.

Chicken Noodle Soup Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap egg noodles with gluten-free rice noodles or zucchini spirals for a celiac-safe version. Ensure chicken broth is certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace traditional noodles with cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash strands. Use fewer carrots to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Skip any potential dairy ingredients. The current recipe appears dairy-free already, so no major changes needed.
• Vegetarian Conversion: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and add extra herbs for depth of flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure the chicken cooks thoroughly and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

• Is this soup healthy?

Absolutely! This homemade chicken noodle soup is packed with lean protein from chicken, vegetables for nutrients, and is lower in sodium compared to canned versions. It’s a nutritious meal that supports immune health.

• Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute regular egg noodles with gluten-free egg noodles or rice noodles. Ensure your chicken broth and bouillon are also gluten-free to make the entire recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

• What if I don't have a slow cooker?

No problem! You can make this soup on the stovetop. Sauté vegetables first, add chicken and broth, simmer for about 25-30 minutes, then shred chicken and add noodles until cooked through.

Homemade Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic homemade crockpot chicken noodle soup delivers comfort in a bowl, brimming with tender chicken and hearty vegetables. Simmered slowly with love, this soul-warming dish promises to nourish both body and spirit, bringing warmth to your kitchen table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 to 1.5 pounds (450 to 680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 medium to large yellow onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into circles
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• Fresh parsley, minced (for garnish)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons better than bouillon base, chicken flavor
• 8 to 9 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 8 ounces (226 grams) egg noodles (wide or extra wide)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the slow cooker foundation by placing whole chicken breasts at the bottom, creating a protein base for the soup. Trim excess fat to prevent greasy broth texture.
2. Distribute aromatic vegetables including onions, carrots, celery, and garlic evenly across the chicken. Scatter dried herbs like thyme and rosemary for enhanced flavor profile.
3. Incorporate chicken bouillon and liquid broth, gently stirring to distribute seasonings without overmixing. Avoid excessive salt addition at this stage.
4. Set crockpot to LOW temperature for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, allowing chicken to become supremely tender and ingredients to meld together.
5. Extract chicken and meticulously shred using two forks or hand mixer, ensuring uniform piece sizes. Remove bay leaf during this process.
6. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and introduce egg noodles. Cook for additional 10-15 minutes until noodles reach perfect al dente consistency.
7. Conduct final flavor assessment, adjusting salt and pepper levels as needed. Enhance presentation by garnishing with fresh parsley for visual appeal and subtle herbaceous notes.

Notes

• Trim chicken fat beforehand to prevent greasy broth and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing soup texture.
• Avoid over-salting initially since bouillon already contains significant sodium; taste and adjust seasonings at the end of cooking.
• Cook noodles separately if planning to store leftovers to maintain optimal noodle texture and prevent them from becoming mushy in the broth.
• Opt for low and slow cooking method to achieve incredibly tender chicken that easily shreds and infuses more flavor into the soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hour (on high) or 8 hours (on low)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg