Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup (Print Version)

Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup for busy weeknights. My easy recipe uses pantry staples for a comforting, warm meal everyone will love.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 Hours minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Comfort Food

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs (1.5 lbs)
02 - Chicken Broth (6 cups)
03 - Carrots (2 large, chopped)
04 - Celery Stalks (3, chopped)
05 - Yellow Onion (1 medium, diced)
06 - Garlic (3 cloves, minced)

→ Seasonings & Spices

07 - Dried Thyme (1 tsp)
08 - Dried Rosemary (1/2 tsp)
09 - Bay Leaf (1)
10 - Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)

→ Pantry Staples

11 - Egg Noodles (3 cups, uncooked, wide)

→ Finishing Touches

12 - Fresh Parsley (1/4 cup, chopped)

# Instructions:

01 - Alright, first things first! Grab your carrots, celery, and onion. Chop them up into bite-sized pieces; I like mine a bit rustic, honestly. Mince that garlic too. This is the only "hard" part, I swear! Get your slow cooker ready on the counter. I usually put on some music for this part, makes the kitchen feel less like a chore and more like a happy place. Don't forget to give everything a good rinse first, especially the celery. This is the foundation of your Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup, so make it count!
02 - Now for the fun part! Toss your chicken breasts or thighs right into the bottom of your slow cooker. Pile all those chopped veggies – carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic – on top of the chicken. Pour in all that lovely chicken broth. Sprinkle in the dried thyme, rosemary, and tuck in that bay leaf. Give it a good stir, just to make sure everything is mingling nicely. I always take a deep breath here, the smell of the raw herbs and veggies is so promising, you know? This is where the magic begins for our Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup.
03 - Put the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Honestly, I usually go for the low and slow method if I'm leaving it all day, it makes the chicken incredibly tender. If I'm in a rush after work, high it is! Resist the urge to peek too much; every time you lift the lid, it adds about 30 minutes to the cooking time. Just let it do its thing, hon! You'll smell it when it's getting close, a comforting aroma filling your whole house.
04 - Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. It should be fall-apart tender, seriously! Place it on a cutting board and shred it using two forks. It's so easy, it practically shreds itself. Then, return all that delicious shredded chicken back into the soup. This step is so satisfying, seeing the chicken integrate back into the rich broth. This is where the Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup really comes together.
05 - Okay, this is the crucial step I mentioned earlier! Add your uncooked egg noodles directly into the slow cooker. Stir them in really well, making sure they're submerged in the hot broth. Increase the heat to high if it's not already, and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Keep an eye on them; you don't want them to turn to mush! I usually taste a noodle around the 12-minute mark to check for doneness. This is where your Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup gets its name!
06 - Once the noodles are perfectly tender, remove the bay leaf (don't forget that!). Stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes it needs a bit more salt to really make the flavors pop. Ladle generous portions into bowls. I love serving it with a crusty piece of bread for dipping. It's warm, it's comforting, and it's absolutely delicious, especially after all that patience. Enjoy your homemade Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup!

# Notes:

01 - Always add the noodles at the *very end* of the cooking cycle for best texture.
02 - If freezing, cook noodles separately upon reheating to avoid mushiness.
03 - For a richer flavor, sauté the veggies for a few minutes before adding to the slow cooker.
04 - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end really brightens up this Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
02 - Cutting board
03 - Sharp knife
04 - Two forks

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350 kcal
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 25g

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