There’s something so soothing about a bowl of homemade soup bubbling away all day. This Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is just that—warm, hearty, and incredibly simple to throw together. It’s a game changer for busy days when you want comfort without standing over the stove.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t get over how effortless this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is, and the way it fills the kitchen with that cozy homemade aroma all day. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a hug in a bowl, truly comforting and full of flavor without fuss.
- Hands-off cooking: You just dump everything into the crockpot and let it work its magic for hours—no need to babysit it.
- Comforting flavors: The blend of herbs and fresh vegetables gives this soup a rich, home-cooked taste that beats any canned version.
- Customizable noodles: You can choose your favorite noodle type, making it perfect whether you love thick, wide egg noodles or something different.
- Perfect for any season: Light enough for spring yet warming enough for winter, it’s a year-round favorite.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is chosen to build layers of flavor while keeping the recipe easy and accessible. Using a combination of fresh veggies and savory herbs makes the broth both comforting and aromatic.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They shred beautifully after slow cooking and absorb the broth’s flavors perfectly.
- Yellow onion: Adds subtle sweetness and depth when slow-cooked.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness plus beautiful color and texture.
- Celery: Classic soup base flavor that balances the carrots’ sweetness.
- Garlic: Gives the soup a cozy, savory kick without overpowering.
- Dried thyme and rosemary: Earthy herbs that mingle with chicken broth to deepen the flavor profile.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring everything together.
- Bay leaf (optional): Adds a subtle depth—I always throw one in but remove before serving!
- Better than bouillon, chicken flavor base: Boosts the broth’s richness without extra salt.
- Reduced sodium chicken broth: The soup needs a flavorful liquid base, and lower sodium lets you control salt levels better.
- Egg noodles (wide or extra wide): I love how these soak up broth while staying tender and firm.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish just before serving.
Make It Your Way
This Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is easy to tweak depending on your preferences or what you have on hand. I love adding extra garlic or swapping dried herbs for fresh ones when I have them for a brighter flavor.
- Variation: One time, I added a splash of lemon juice just before serving to brighten things up—it was unexpectedly delicious and refreshing.
- Dietary modifications: For gluten-free, replace egg noodles with gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies for a low-carb option.
- Seasonal swaps: Try adding diced parsnips or sweet potatoes in fall for even more warmth and earthiness.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Step 1: Layer the Flavor Base
Start by placing your trimmed chicken breasts right in the bottom of your slow cooker—that way, they’ll cook up juicy and tender. Then pile on the diced onion, sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sprinkle the dried thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, and pop in a bay leaf if you're using one. This layering helps the flavors meld as everything cooks slowly.
Step 2: Add Broth and Cook Low and Slow
Top off your layered ingredients with dollops of the Better Than Bouillon base, then pour in the chicken broth. Give it a gentle stir just to mix the bouillon in a bit, then cover and set your crockpot to LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4. The magic happens here—this slow cooking time lets all those flavors soak into the chicken and veggies.
Step 3: Shred Chicken and Add Noodles
Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot to a bowl and shred them with two forks—this step is super satisfying! Toss the bay leaf, then return the shredded chicken back to the pot. Add your egg noodles, stir them in, and cover again. Let the noodles cook on LOW for about 10-15 minutes until tender. Watch the timing closely to avoid mushy noodles.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Give the soup a final taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with freshly minced parsley, and maybe an extra sprinkle of black pepper. It’s ready to enjoy!
Top Tip
From making this Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe several times, I discovered a few little tweaks that make all the difference in getting that perfect bowl every time. These tips helped me avoid common hiccups like mushy noodles or bland broth.
- Use wide egg noodles: They hold up well in the broth and don’t turn to mush as quickly during the last cooking step.
- Don’t add noodles too early: Adding noodles only at the end keeps them from overcooking in the crockpot’s heat.
- Shred chicken carefully: Remove it hot but cool slightly before shredding to avoid tough shreds.
- Season gradually: Always taste before and after adding salt—since broths and bouillon can be salty, you can avoid over-seasoning.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a simple girl when it comes to garnishes—freshly chopped parsley adds color and brightness that wakes up the soup. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lemon or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes if I want a little extra zip.
Side Dishes
For a cozy lunch, I pair this soup with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up every last drop. An arugula salad with a light vinaigrette also balances the richness perfectly for dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or casual dinner parties, I’ve served this soup in individual bread bowls—so fun and visually appealing! Garnishing with a little swirl of cream or grated parmesan also turns it into a special treat worth snapping a photo of.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After the soup has cooled, I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. It keeps well for 3-4 days and tastes even better as the flavors mellow. Just keep the noodles submerged in broth to avoid drying out.
Freezing
I usually freeze the soup without noodles, since they can get mushy. When reheating, I cook fresh noodles separately and add them to each bowl. This way, the soup stays fresh and the texture stays just right.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first. Add fresh parsley and adjust seasoning before serving to freshen flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option because they stay extra juicy and tender. Just keep in mind they might take the same amount of time or a little less, so check for doneness before shredding.
The easiest way is to add the noodles only during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, as the recipe suggests. If you plan to freeze the soup, freeze it without noodles and cook fresh noodles when reheating.
Yes! Simply sauté the veggies in a large pot, add the chicken and broth, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Shred the chicken and add noodles at the end. Cooking times will be shorter, about 45 minutes to an hour total.
Wide or extra wide egg noodles are my personal favorite—they have enough body to hold up during slow cooking and soak up the flavorful broth without turning mushy. Pasta shapes like rotini or shells work too if added at the end.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is one of those timeless dishes that just feels like coming home. Whether you're feeling under the weather or just want a no-fuss dinner that nourishes, this soup has you covered. Once you make it a few times, you’ll find your favorite tweaks and it’ll become a staple in your cold weather rotation. Trust me, friends always ask for seconds.
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Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade crockpot chicken noodle soup is a comforting and hearty meal made with tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and wide egg noodles, all slow-cooked to perfection for rich, savory flavor. It’s an easy, preservative-free recipe perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into circles
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- 2 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon base, chicken flavor
- 8 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz. egg noodles (wide or extra wide)
- Fresh parsley, minced (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker. Place trimmed chicken breasts at the bottom of a 6 quart or larger slow cooker. Top with diced onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, kosher salt, black pepper, and the bay leaf if using.
- Add Broth and Bouillon. Dollop the Better Than Bouillon chicken base over the ingredients, then pour in the reduced sodium chicken broth. Gently stir everything to combine. Cover the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook the Soup. Cook the mixture on the LOW setting for 8 hours or on the HIGH setting for 4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Shred the Chicken. Remove the chicken breasts and place them in a large mixing bowl. Shred the chicken using two forks. Discard the bay leaf from the slow cooker and return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Add Egg Noodles and Finish Cooking. Stir in the egg noodles, cover again, and cook on LOW for an additional 15 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
- Season and Serve. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with minced fresh parsley and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Notes
- This soup can be made with wide or extra-wide egg noodles to hold up well in the slow cooker.
- If you prefer firmer noodles, cook them separately and add just before serving.
- You can substitute fresh herbs for dried if preferred, adjusting quantities accordingly.
- Leftovers reheat well and the flavors deepen overnight.
- Using reduced sodium broth allows better control over the soup’s saltiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 175 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 245 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
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