Lucky me when the power cut out at my house last weekend and I am staring at an almost empty fridge I dug out my Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe to save the day I had half a pack of egg noodles some chicken thighs and a jar of chicken broth and I figured out that slow cooker comfort food can be a real lifesaver The rain was coming down so hard I thought the windows would give in but I kept smiling because dinner was under control I tossed the chicken in with onions garlic a sprinkle of salt and pepper and a glug of broth I set it to cook low and went to rescue cartoons from the kids The smell of simmered chicken and soft noodles brought everyone back in minutes Later as we sat around that rustic wooden table slurping every last noodle I knew I had stumbled on a keeper This Crockpot Chicken and Noodles dish was warm filling and so darn simple that even on crazy nights you can pull it off I promise you will feel like a hero too when you scoop that creamy broth over plump noodles and tender chicken It became my go to comfort food hack for busy nights and unexpected rain storms
Reasons you will love this meal
- Slow cooker ease means you walk away and come back to dinner ready
- Chicken brings lean protein and familiar comfort for any taste
- Simple pantry staples keep shopping quick and cheap
- Creamy noodles feel like a hug in a bowl
- Family friendly flavor wins over picky eaters
Key tasty items you need
- Chicken thighs or chicken breasts whichever you prefer for tender bites
- Egg noodles or wide pasta shapes to soak up that rich broth
- Onion and garlic for a base that sings
- Chicken broth or stock as the soul of this slow cooker comfort food
- Carrots celery or peas for a dash of color and gentle sweetness
- Salt pepper and dried herbs like thyme or parsley for gentle seasoning
- Butter or olive oil to make the veggies shimmer and soften
I like using fresh carrots but frozen ones work just fine too Peas can come from a bag for a quick veggie boost You really just need a few simple ingredients and the slow cooking method does the rest
Quickfire steps with whys
1 Gather all your ingredients and lay them out on the counter That way you don’t drop things behind the fridge or forget the garlic
2 Chop onion garlic carrots and celery small This creates even cooking so nothing ends up crunchy or underdone in your Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
3 Brown the chicken in a skillet with a bit of oil This step adds deep flavor you will totally taste in the final broth even if you do slow cooking
4 Transfer chicken and veggies into your slow cooker Pour in chicken broth until it just covers the ingredients This creates that silky base that noodles will swell up in
5 Season with salt pepper and dried thyme or parsley Stir gently to spread flavor evenly This gets rid of bland pockets in your comfort food
6 Cook on low for four to six hours Slow is best so the chicken falls apart into tender shreds without drying out
7 At the last hour add egg noodles and butter Stir them in so noodles stay soft and soak up the broth do not let them clump together
8 Taste and adjust seasonings before serving A final sprinkle of parsley or grated cheese lifts everything into pure comfort
Clutch shortcut tips
Use pre chopped frozen onion and carrot mix to cut prep time in half You just dump and go without tears or extra chopping
Skip browning the chicken if you are in a real hurry You still get great taste and your Crockpot Chicken and Noodles will be fine though a bit milder
Grab a store bought rotisserie chicken shred it and toss into the slow cooker for a nearly instant meal when time is super tight
Stir in a spoonful of cream cheese or sour cream just after the noodles cook for extra richness and a smooth mouthfeel
That first bite grin story
The first time I dished out this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles I was juggling a toddler and a ringing phone I ended up scooping bowls of hot creamy noodles while wearing mismatched socks But when my son took that first big slurp his eyes lit up He giggled and said this soup feels like a warm blanket I nearly dropped my phone I love that moment when you taste something so good you just lean back and grin Your kitchen might be a bit messy and your schedule might be all over but that first spoonful of slow cooker comfort makes it all worth it
Fun ways to serve and eat
- Top with fresh chopped parsley or chives for color and brightness
- Grate cheddar or Parmesan cheese on top for a cheesy twist
- Serve alongside warm dinner rolls or crusty bread to scoop up extra broth
- Add a side salad of crisp greens and vinaigrette for a lighter contrast
- Offer hot sauce or red pepper flakes for folks who want a spicy kick
How to stash leftovers and reheat like a pro
Once the meal is cooled I transfer leftover Crockpot Chicken and Noodles into airtight containers that seal tight This avoids freezer burn if I decide to pop some in the ice box for later
In the fridge it lasts up to three days Just stir before reheating since the noodles may clump or soak up broth
To reheat gently warm in a pot on the stove over medium low heat Add a splash of water or broth so it loosens up and does not dry out
If you use a microwave set it on medium power and heat in short bursts stirring in between This keeps the creamy broth smooth and noodles soft
For frozen leftovers thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat the same way You lose a bit of noodle bite but it still tastes like homemade comfort
Final thoughts and common questions answered
I love that Crockpot Chicken and Noodles brings family around the table with minimal fuss You get that slow cooker romance without hours of babysitting The simple ingredients slot into most budgets and leave room for creativity Too many nights ended in takeout or cold pizza until I found this recipe It became my fall back and secret stress buster You can do it too I promise your kitchen will smell like home in no time
What cut of chicken is best for Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
Chicken thighs hold up better in slow cooking and stay juicy but chicken breast works fine if that is what you have
Can I use fresh noodles instead of dried egg noodles
Yes fresh wide noodles soak up broth fast so add them in the last thirty minutes and watch them closely
Is it possible to make this dairy free
Absolutely skip butter or cream cheese and use olive oil or dairy free spread for a lighter broth
How do I keep noodles from turning to mush
Add noodles near the end and stir gently only once to separate them Let the slow cooker do the rest
Can I double the recipe for a crowd
You sure can just use a larger slow cooker or two units and extend cooking time slightly if it fills way up
What sides go best with this comfort food classic
A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables add texture contrast and balance out the creamy noodles
Crockpot Chicken And Noodles
Equipment
- 1 Crockpot
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 Measuring cups
- 1 Measuring spoons
- 1 Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts Approximately 1.5 lbs.
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz.
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables Peas, carrots, and corn.
- 1 medium onion Chopped.
- 2 cloves garlic Minced.
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- to taste salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish.
Instructions
- Begin by placing the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, chopped onion, minced garlic, thyme, pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Add the frozen mixed vegetables on top of the soup mixture.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours.
- After 6 hours, remove the chicken breasts, shred them with two forks, and return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Stir in the egg noodles into the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes until the noodles are cooked to your desired tenderness.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
