As the weather starts to cool down, and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to comfort and nourish your body. And what better soup to make than slow cooker chicken noodle soup?
This hearty and satisfying dish is a staple in many households, and for good reason. It’s packed with protein, veggies, and a savory broth that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out on chilly days. Plus, by using a slow cooker, you can let the flavors simmer and develop over time, resulting in a soup that’s even more flavorful and delicious. So, grab your slow cooker and get ready to cozy up with a bowl of slow cooker chicken noodle soup.
The popularity of Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade Chicken noodle soup is one of the most popular soups in the world, and for good reason, it is so comforting and simple to make. Whether you are looking for a warm meal on a cold day or you are feeling sick, chicken noodle soup just seems to hit the spot.
There is some science behind chicken noodle soup making you feel better but according to Real Simple, “it is likely also the result of more intangible properties: eating food cooked by caring people, eating food with other people, eating robust whole foods simply made.” Simply put, Chicken Noodle Soup is so popular because it is often the ultimate comfort food that is consumed when we are sick or not feeling well.
It is made by people we love who care for us when we are at our worst. This is the basis of soul food. Putting your heart and soul into cooking something and sharing it with the people you love. Food is connected to our memories and when we think back to those times, it brings great joy even though we were sick at the time.
I share this often, but this is similar to how we can have a favorite restaurant that we love and enjoy going to even though the food maybe isn’t so great. Maybe we grew up going there or share a special connection with it so it becomes more about the memories than the food itself.
What Makes This Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe So Good
Using fresh herbs and spices is what makes this slow cooker chicken noodle soup recipe so good. I really love the addition of ginger and garlic which are great herbs to consume when you are sick. This isn’t your grandma’s chicken noodle soup but it is close.
It is so easy to make and put together. You can add all the ingredients into the crock and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
If you love making soups, stews, or chili in the crockpot and want to try another favorite check out this Easy Slow Cooker Beef & Bean Chili Recipe. It is so easy to make and so yummy!
When you wake up in the morning, you can put the crock into the cooker and set your cooking time. All of it will cook while you are at work. Best of all, if you have a unit that switches over to warm after the cooking time, you will not have to worry about overcooking. The best part is it will be ready when you get home.
Finding fresh herbs can be a challenge sometimes. That is why I love using the AeroGarden growing system. By using this I have fresh herbs year-round growing indoors right on my counter. Use these fresh herbs to make your homemade chicken noodle soup to give it so much flavor. This is truly the best crockpot recipe.
Using a Slow Cooker to Make Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup is a simple dish to make. The tedious part is stewing a whole chicken on the stop top on a low simmer to cook the chicken but also to make the chicken broth or chicken stock to use in the soup. Using a slow cooker or crock pot just makes this task easier.
If you are looking for other great crock pot recipes, you have to try this tried and true favorite of mine, Southern-Style Crock Pot Mac and Cheese, or this Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken and Broccoli over Rice recipe!
Down below we will go over the ingredients and tools you will need to make this slow cooker chicken noodle soup. Let’s begin.
Ingredients and Tools
List of Ingredients
- Chicken-4 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast. In this easy slow-cooker chicken noodle soup, we are going to use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Another option you could use is split chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, bone-in chicken thighs, or any mix of chicken cuts you would like. If you use bone-in, it does create a more robust flavorful chicken stock, but you will have to remove the chicken and skin from the bone. One of the reasons this is so easy to make is that we use boneless skinless chicken. All you have to do after it cooks is shred it and you are done. You could also use a whole rotisserie chicken but you will have to debone it first. For this recipe, we are using
- Chicken broth or chicken stock– You will need 6 cups of chicken broth or chicken stock
- Water– You will need 1 cup of water.
- Onion– You will need one medium onion, diced.
- Garlic– 2 to 3 cloves of minced garlic.
- Ginger– 3 to 4 slices of ginger. This will be removed before eating the soup.
- Rosemary– 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon of dry Rosemary.
- Bay leaves– This recipe calls for 1 to 2 bay leaves. This will be removed before eating the soup
- Celery– 1 cup of celery diced.
- Carrots– 1 cup of diced carrots.
- Dry Egg Noodles– You will need one 1 package of dry egg noodles. I prefer to use wide egg noodles.
- Black Pepper– 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Salt-1/2 teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt.
Tools Needed to Make the Soup
The tools needed to make this soup are pretty simple.
- Large Slow Cooker or Crockpot– I prefer a slow cooker that switches over to warm after the cooking time is up.
- Knife– A good quality sharp chef’s knife makes a big difference in slicing and dicing vegetables.
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for making slow cooker chicken noodle soup
Add the 6 cups of chicken broth.
Place chicken (or the chicken parts you will be using) in the slow cooker.
Add in the onions, celery, and carrots.
Add in the garlic, rosemary, bay leaves, ginger, black pepper, and salt.
Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.
Remove the big pieces of chicken and shred them up.
Cooking the Noodles
Add water to a large pot up until it is 3/4 full.
Place on stove on medium-high to medium heat.
Add in the dry egg noodles and bring to a boil.
Cook until you have tender egg noodles.
Drain the egg noodles then add them to the slow cooker.
Note: Anytime you are cooking chicken, always make sure you have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming.
Tips for achieving the best results
- Always check to make sure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming.
- Cook time may have to be adjusted depending on the cut of chicken you are using. Bigger pieces will take longer to cook.
- Using fresh vegetables and fresh herbs will result in the most flavorful slow cooker chicken soup.
- Don’t overcook the noodles: Cook the noodles separately and add them to the soup at the end of the cooking time, just before serving.
- Experiment with other herbs and spices: Feel free to add in other herbs such as thyme, fresh parsley, green onion, and even cajun seasoning.
- Adjust the seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or spices as desired.
Serving Suggestions
Now that your slow-cooker chicken noodle soup is done, it is time to serve it. Ladle up a big bowl of hearty soup and enjoy. Serve with saltine crackers and top with green onions.
Pairing suggestions for chicken noodle soup
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Spaghetti pasta salad
- Marinated Cucumbers and Onions
- Homemade Sourdough Bread
- Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Fresh Salad
- Fresh Fruit
Suggestions for leftovers and Storage
You can store any leftover chicken noodle soup in an airtight container. It should be good to eat for up to 3-4 days if kept in the refrigerator. It may be even better the next day!
Wrap-Up
In conclusion, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup on a chilly day. Using a slow cooker to make this classic soup is an easy and convenient way to create a delicious meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
By following some simple tips, you can create a soup that’s bursting with flavor and full of wholesome ingredients. Pair your soup with some crusty bread, a fresh salad, or just some saltine crackers for the ultimate cozy meal. So, grab your slow cooker and some fresh ingredients, and cozy up with a bowl of slow cooker chicken noodle soup today.
FAQ’s
How long does it take to cook chicken noodle soup in a slow cooker?
Chicken noodle soup can be cooked in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat.
Can I use frozen chicken in my slow cooker chicken noodle soup?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken in your slow cooker, but it may take longer to cook. It’s important to make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I use other types of noodles in my chicken noodle soup?
Yes, you can use other types of noodles such as egg noodles, fettuccine, or spaghetti. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I freeze slow-cooker chicken noodle soup?
Yes, you can freeze slow-cooker chicken noodle soup. Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I Use a Whole Chicken for Chicken Noodle Soup?
Yes, you can use a whole chicken for chicken noodle soup. Cook the whole chicken on low in the slow cooker with the vegetables for 6-8 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the whole chicken and debone it. Add chicken back to the slow cooker.
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
As the weather starts to cool down, and the leaves begin to change, there's nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to comfort and nourish your body. And what better soup to make than slow cooker chicken noodle soup?
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 6 cups of Chicken Broth
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 to 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 3 to 4 slices of ginger
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary minced or 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- 1 to 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup of celery diced
- 1 cup of carrots diced
- 1 package of dry egg noodles
- 1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
- Add in the 6 cups of Chicken Broth.
- Place chicken (or the chicken parts you will be using) in the slow cooker.
- Add in the onions, celery, and carrots.
- Add in the garlic, rosemary, bay leaves, ginger, black pepper, and salt.
- Cook on low for 6 hours. For Boneless chicken, this should be enough time. If you are cooking bigger pieces of chicken you will have to cook longer. Anytime you are cooking chicken, always make sure you have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming.
- Remove the big pieces of chicken and shred them up.
Preparing the Dry Noodles
- Add water to a large pot up until it is 3/4 full.
- Place on stove on medium-high to medium heat.
- Add in the dry egg noodles and bring to a boil.
- Cook until you have tender egg noodles.
- Drain the egg noodles then add them to the slow cooker.