Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Hey there, soup lover! You're about to discover the ultimate comfort food that'll transform your kitchen into a warm, aromatic haven. Crockpot chicken noodle soup isn't just a meal—it's a culinary hug waiting to happen. Imagine tender chicken, perfectly seasoned broth, and hearty noodles simmering together with minimal effort on your part. Whether you're battling a cold or just craving something soul-satisfying, this recipe promises to be your go-to solution. Curious about how simple magic happens in a slow cooker? Keep reading to unlock the secrets.

Recipe Highlights

• Place 2 pounds of boneless chicken breasts in a crockpot, covering with 8 cups of chicken broth and cooking on low temperature until chicken is tender.
• Shred cooked chicken using two forks, then return it to the pot and add 2 cups of egg noodles, mixed frozen vegetables, and seasonings.
• Cook noodles for approximately 6-8 minutes or until tender, being careful not to overcook to maintain optimal texture and prevent mushiness.
• Season the soup with 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, adjusting to taste for a rich and flavorful broth.
• Serve hot in warm bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs, and pair with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete, comforting meal.

History

Although chicken noodle soup might seem like a modern comfort food, its roots stretch back centuries into culinary history. You'll find its origins traced to various cultures, with Jewish and European traditions playing significant roles in its development.

Ancient Greeks believed in soup's medicinal properties, often prescribing broths to heal the sick. By the Middle Ages, noodle-based soups became staple dishes across Europe, with each region developing its unique variation.

When immigrants arrived in America, they brought cherished soup recipes that evolved into the classic chicken noodle soup you know today. German and Eastern European settlers particularly influenced the dish's composition, introducing hearty ingredients and techniques that transformed simple broths into nutritious meals.

These culinary traditions merged, creating the beloved soup that now defines comfort food.

Recipe

Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup transforms a classic comfort food into an effortless meal that fills your home with warmth and delicious aromas. This slow-cooker version ensures tender chicken, rich broth, and perfectly cooked noodles with minimal hands-on preparation time.

The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the crockpot's ability to develop deep, layered flavors throughout the cooking process. By allowing ingredients to simmer together slowly, each spoonful becomes a comforting blend of chicken, vegetables, and perfectly seasoned broth.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups egg noodles
• 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour chicken broth over them. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly across the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Thirty minutes before serving, remove the chicken and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot, then add frozen vegetables and egg noodles. Continue cooking until noodles are tender and vegetables are heated through, typically 20-30 minutes.

When preparing this soup, remember that noodles can quickly become mushy if overcooked. For the best texture, consider adding noodles later in the cooking process or cooking them separately.

If planning to store leftovers, it's recommended to keep noodles separate to prevent them from absorbing too much liquid and losing their ideal consistency.

Cooking Steps

You'll start your crockpot chicken noodle soup by placing the raw chicken breasts into the slow cooker, carefully covering them with chicken broth and Italian seasoning.

Next, you'll set the cooker to low temperature and let the chicken cook slowly, transforming into tender, flavorful meat that will form the base of your comforting soup.

After several hours of cooking, you'll gently shred the chicken using two forks, then return the meat to the pot and add your egg noodles and mixed vegetables to complete this classic, warming dish.

Step 1. Add Chicken to Slow Cooker

When preparing this comforting chicken noodle soup, start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly into the clean, preheated slow cooker.

Select high-quality, fresh chicken breasts that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking. You'll want to arrange the chicken in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, which can lead to uneven heating.

Carefully pour 8 cups of chicken broth over the chicken, ensuring the meat is completely submerged.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning evenly across the top, which will infuse the broth with aromatic herbs and enhance the overall flavor profile. Gently stir to distribute the seasoning, then cover the slow cooker and prepare for a long, transformative cooking process that will render the chicken supremely tender and flavorful.

Step 2. Pour in Seasonings

Because seasoning transforms a basic soup into a memorable meal, sprinkle your Italian herbs strategically across the chicken and broth. The tablespoon of Italian seasoning you'll add introduces complexity and depth to your soup's flavor profile, creating a harmonious blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.

Distribute the seasoning evenly, ensuring the chicken and liquid receive a uniform coating. Use a gentle sprinkling motion, allowing the herbs to cascade across the surface.

Gently stir the mixture to promote herb integration, but avoid disrupting the chicken's positioning in the slow cooker. This step is crucial for developing rich, layered flavors that'll elevate your crockpot chicken noodle soup from basic to extraordinary.

The herbs will slowly infuse into the broth during cooking, creating a deeply satisfying culinary experience.

Step 3. Cook on Low Temperature

After distributing those aromatic Italian herbs across your chicken and broth, setting your crockpot to low temperature transforms the cooking process into a slow, flavor-building journey.

You'll want to ensure your temperature dial rests comfortably on the low setting, which allows proteins to break down gradually and develop deep, complex flavors.

Cooking times for this method range between 6-8 hours, creating incredibly tender chicken that practically falls apart.

During this process, the chicken will gently simmer in the seasoned broth, absorbing herbs and releasing its own rich essence into the liquid.

Monitor your crockpot occasionally, ensuring adequate liquid coverage and consistent temperature.

Pro tips:

• Keep lid sealed to retain moisture
• Avoid lifting lid too frequently
• Check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F

Step 4. Shred Chicken Carefully

Gently extract the cooked chicken breasts from your crockpot using tongs, placing them on a clean cutting board.

Let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly, preventing burns and making shredding easier. Use two forks, positioning them facing opposite directions, and pull the meat apart in a systematic, gentle motion.

Work methodically across each breast, creating uniform, bite-sized shreds that'll distribute evenly throughout your soup.

Key shredding tips:

• Always pull meat with the grain
• Discard any tough or fatty pieces
• Aim for consistent 1/2-inch shred sizes
• Keep shreds moist by working quickly

Once shredded, immediately return the chicken to the crockpot.

The warm broth will help maintain the meat's tenderness and prevent drying out, ensuring a perfectly textured, delicious soup.

Step 5. Add Noodles and Vegetables

Two key components transform your simmering chicken broth into a complete, satisfying meal: tender egg noodles and colorful mixed vegetables.

Carefully measure out 2 cups of egg noodles, selecting wide or medium varieties that hold up well in slow-cooked soups. Gently stir the noodles into the crockpot during the final 30 minutes of cooking, ensuring they don't become overly soft or mushy.

Your 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables—typically a blend of carrots, peas, and corn—add nutritional value and vibrant color.

Add these vegetables simultaneously with the noodles, allowing them to heat through without losing their crisp texture. Stir occasionally to distribute ingredients evenly, creating a balanced, hearty soup that's both comforting and nutritious.

Final Thoughts

Comfort defines this classic chicken noodle soup, transforming a simple recipe into a soul-warming culinary experience.

You'll find this crockpot version not just a meal, but a healing tradition that connects generations through its timeless flavors. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: minimal ingredients, maximum taste.

When you serve this soup, you're offering more than nutrition; you're providing warmth, comfort, and love in a bowl.

Pro tips for perfection:

• Always shred chicken with two forks
• Add noodles late to prevent mushiness
• Store leftovers strategically
• Consider freezing broth separately from noodles

Your homemade chicken noodle soup isn't just food—it's a culinary embrace that speaks directly to the heart, promising comfort with every spoonful.