Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup: Weeknight Comfort (Print Version)

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup made easy. This simple, comforting recipe brings warmth to any weeknight with minimal effort. My family's favorite, honest!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Dairy-Free (optional)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
03 - 2 cups chopped carrots (about 3-4 medium)
04 - 1.5 cups chopped celery (about 3-4 stalks)
05 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
06 - 3-4 cups egg noodles (medium or wide)

→ Flavor Boosters

07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I'm not judging!)
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 2 bay leaves
10 - 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste)

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Optional Extras

13 - 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (for thickening)
14 - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
15 - A pinch of dried dill

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those veggies ready for our Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup. I usually just give the carrots a good scrub, chop up the celery, and roughly dice the onion. Don't stress too much about perfect cuts here; the slow cooker is forgiving! Then, just toss your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the bottom of your slow cooker. Easy peasy, right? This is where the magic begins, setting the stage for all those wonderful aromas to develop.
02 - Now, pour in all that lovely low-sodium chicken broth over the chicken and veggies. See how it just starts to cover everything? Then, it’s time for the flavor boosters: toss in your minced garlic, dried thyme, and those essential bay leaves. Give it a good sprinkle of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. I always give it a gentle stir just to make sure everything is mingling nicely. This step makes me so happy because I know it’s going to taste incredible later, honestly.
03 - Pop the lid on your slow cooker. Now, set it to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. My personal preference? Low and slow, always! It just gives the flavors more time to really get to know each other and develop that rich depth. Go on, walk away, do your thing! The kitchen will smell amazing all day, I promise. It’s like having a little kitchen helper doing all the hard work for you.
04 - Once the cooking time is up and the chicken is falling-apart tender, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. I usually just use two forks to shred it right on a cutting board; it's so easy! Then, return all that shredded goodness back into the soup. This is where the Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup starts to look like the comforting meal we're all craving. Don't worry if a little piece escapes, it's all part of the charm.
05 - This is a crucial step for our Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup! Now, stir in your egg noodles. You'll want to cook them right in the soup for about 10-15 minutes on high, or until they're tender. Keep an eye on them; nobody wants mushy noodles! I've definitely overcooked them before, and it was a bit of a noodle disaster. Just a gentle simmer until they're perfectly al dente, that's what we're aiming for here.
06 - Give the soup a final taste test and adjust the seasonings if needed. Sometimes it just needs a little extra salt or a touch more pepper to really sing. Ladle this beautiful, hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup into bowls and garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley. The green just brightens everything up! Serve it up warm and watch everyone's faces light up. It's the perfect way to end a busy day, truly.

# Notes:

01 - Always taste and adjust seasoning at the end, slow cookers can mellow flavors.
02 - If you're making a big batch for leftovers, consider cooking noodles separately to avoid mushiness.
03 - A quick sear on the chicken breasts before adding to the slow cooker adds amazing depth of flavor.
04 - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can really brighten up the whole soup.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 6-quart slow cooker
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons
05 - ladle

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-450
Total Fat: 10-15g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-40g
Protein: 35-45g

Back