This recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles offers the ultimate comfort in a bowl, featuring tender chicken breast and classic egg noodles swimming in a rich, creamy, and flavorful broth. It’s the perfect easy meal for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend gathering, promising warmth and satisfaction with every spoonful.
Effortless Comfort: A Simple Slow Cooker Meal
There’s something truly magical about a meal that cooks itself, especially when it delivers on taste and warmth. Our Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe is precisely that – a humble yet deeply satisfying dish that requires minimal effort but yields maximum comfort. While it might not win any beauty contests, its rich flavors and hearty texture are sure to win over everyone at your table. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a bowl of pure nostalgia that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the slow cooker’s ability to infuse every ingredient with a depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve otherwise. It’s perfect for making ahead, and the leftovers are arguably even better, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread for dipping into the luscious broth, or complement its richness with a crisp side salad for a balanced meal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles
This hearty Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of simple sides. For a light and refreshing contrast, I often serve it with a fresh green salad tossed with a vinaigrette dressing. Steamed or roasted vegetables, like green beans, broccoli, or carrots, also make excellent accompaniments, adding essential nutrients and color. If you’re looking for something extra comforting, fluffy butter biscuits or warm garlic bread are fantastic for soaking up every last drop of the creamy broth. These options ensure a well-rounded and satisfying meal for the whole family.
Absolutely! Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs is an excellent alternative to chicken breasts. Chicken thighs tend to be richer in flavor and retain moisture incredibly well during the slow cooking process, resulting in an even more tender and succulent dish. You can substitute them in equal measure, typically 1.5 to 2 pounds for this recipe. If you prefer, a mix of both chicken breasts and thighs can also provide a wonderful balance of textures and flavors. Just ensure they are boneless and skinless for the best results, as the skin can make the broth greasy.
For the perfect texture in your slow cooker chicken and noodles, I generally recommend using wide egg noodles, as they hold up well and absorb the creamy sauce beautifully. However, you can certainly use any brand or style of egg noodle you prefer. No-yolk egg noodles also work perfectly fine and can be a good option if you’re mindful of dietary preferences. Most standard bags of egg noodles come in 12-ounce packages; for this recipe, you’ll typically need about ¾ of a bag, or roughly 8 ounces. Be cautious if you opt for flat, Amish-style dry egg noodles, as they tend to absorb significantly more liquid than traditional egg noodles. If using these, you may need to increase the amount of chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency, ensuring your dish doesn’t become too thick.
No problem at all! The beauty of slow cooker recipes like this Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles is their adaptability. While cream of chicken soup provides a classic base, you can easily customize the flavor profile by swapping it out for other cream soups. Cream of mushroom soup will add an earthy richness, while cream of celery or even cream of onion soup can introduce different aromatic notes that complement the chicken and noodles wonderfully. You could even use a combination, such as one can of cream of chicken and one can of cream of mushroom, for a more complex flavor. Feel free to experiment with what you have on hand or what sounds most appealing to your taste buds.
Leftovers of this delicious slow cooker chicken and noodles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. When reheating, keep in mind that the egg noodles will continue to absorb the liquid as the dish cools, making the mixture thicker than when it was first prepared. To restore its creamy consistency, you can simply thin it out with a splash of extra chicken broth or a bit of milk while reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave. Unfortunately, I do not recommend freezing leftovers of this recipe. The noodles tend to become mushy and the creamy sauce can separate upon thawing and reheating, significantly affecting the texture and overall quality of the dish. It’s best enjoyed fresh or from the refrigerator within a few days.
Why You’ll Adore This Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles
This Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a culinary embrace that brings warmth and ease to your kitchen. Here’s why this dish will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe repertoire:
- **Ultimate Comfort Food:** There’s a reason chicken and noodles are synonymous with comfort. This version amplifies that feeling with a rich, creamy broth that soothes the soul, making it perfect for cold weather or simply when you need a little pick-me-up.
- **Incredibly Easy to Prepare:** The slow cooker does 90% of the work! With just a few minutes of prep, you can set it and forget it, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day. No complex techniques or constant stirring required.
- **Crowd-Pleaser for All Ages:** This dish is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. Its mild yet savory flavor profile and tender ingredients appeal to even the pickiest eaters, making it an ideal family dinner solution.
- **Hearty & Filling:** Loaded with tender chicken and satisfying egg noodles, this meal is substantial enough to leave everyone feeling full and content without being overly heavy.
- **Customizable Flavors:** While delicious as is, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Easily swap out cream soups, add extra vegetables, or adjust seasonings to suit your family’s preferences.
- **Fantastic Leftovers:** As mentioned, the flavors deepen overnight, and the leftovers are wonderfully comforting. It’s a great option for meal prepping throughout the week.
Essential Ingredients for Your Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful slow cooker meal. Most of these are pantry staples, ensuring that this comforting dish is always within reach.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean protein base of our dish. They shred beautifully after slow cooking and absorb all the delicious flavors. You can also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor and even more tender results.
- Cream of Chicken Soup (with herbs): This is the secret to the incredibly creamy and flavorful broth. Using a version with herbs adds an extra layer of savory depth without needing additional spices.
- Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and broth.
- Poultry Seasoning: A blend of herbs that specifically complements chicken, adding a traditional and aromatic touch.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These provide a foundational aromatic base, adding savory notes that permeate the entire dish.
- Salted Butter: A few slices of butter melt into the broth, contributing to its richness and velvety texture.
- Chicken Broth: The primary liquid component, it helps create the luxurious creamy sauce and ensures the noodles cook perfectly. Homemade chicken broth can elevate the flavor even further.
- Medium Egg Noodles: The classic choice for this dish, they cook directly in the slow cooker during the final stage, absorbing the incredible flavors of the broth.
- Dried Parsley (Optional): For garnish, adding a fresh hint of color and a subtle herby note to the finished dish.
How to Make Simple Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles
Preparing this comforting Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles dish is remarkably straightforward. Follow these easy steps to achieve a hearty and flavorful meal with minimal effort.
Step 1: Layer the Base
Begin by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly in the bottom of a 5-6 quart oval slow cooker. This ensures they cook thoroughly and are surrounded by the delicious sauce. Next, spread the cream of chicken soup directly over the chicken breasts. This rich soup will form the creamy base of your sauce, infusing the chicken with flavor as it cooks.
Step 2: Season and Add Butter
Generously sprinkle the salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder over the layer of cream of chicken soup. These spices are crucial for building a deep, savory flavor profile. After seasoning, arrange the slices of salted butter on top. As the butter melts, it will contribute to the luxurious richness and smooth texture of the broth.
Step 3: Pour in the Broth and Cook
Carefully pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, ensuring it surrounds the chicken and other ingredients. Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low heat for 5-6 hours, or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The slower cooking time on low heat allows the flavors to develop more deeply and the chicken to become incredibly tender.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once the initial cooking time is complete, carefully remove the tender chicken breasts from the pot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized chunks. It should be incredibly soft and easy to pull apart. Do not discard any liquid from the pot; all that flavorful broth will be needed for the noodles.
Step 5: Add Noodles and Finish Cooking
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the uncooked medium egg noodles to the pot with the chicken and broth. Stir everything gently to ensure the noodles are submerged in the liquid and evenly distributed. Cover the slow cooker again and continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the noodles are perfectly tender and have absorbed some of the creamy broth.
Step 6: Adjust Consistency and Serve
Before serving, check the consistency of your chicken and noodles. If it appears too thick, you can easily thin it out by stirring in a bit more chicken broth or a splash of milk until it reaches your desired creaminess. Ladle the hot and comforting Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles into bowls, and if desired, garnish with a sprinkle of dried parsley for a fresh finish. Enjoy this wonderfully easy and satisfying meal!
Tips for the Perfect Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Every Time
Achieving a consistently perfect batch of Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles is easy with a few helpful pointers:
- **Don’t Overcrowd Your Slow Cooker:** Ensure your chicken breasts have enough space to cook evenly. If your slow cooker is too full, it might take longer to cook and the flavors won’t meld as well.
- **Resist the Urge to Peek:** Opening the lid of your slow cooker releases heat, significantly extending the cooking time. Try to keep the lid on until it’s time to shred the chicken or add the noodles.
- **Noodle Timing is Key:** Adding the noodles too early can result in mushy, overcooked pasta. Always add them in the last 30-45 minutes to ensure they cook to al dente perfection.
- **Adjust Broth as Needed:** Different brands and styles of egg noodles absorb liquid differently. Always have extra chicken broth on hand to thin out the mixture to your preferred consistency just before serving, if necessary. A splash of milk or even heavy cream can also add extra richness and thinness.
- **Season to Taste:** While the recipe provides a great starting point for seasonings, always taste your broth after the chicken is shredded and before adding noodles. Adjust salt, pepper, or other spices to your personal preference.
- **For Thicker Broth:** If you find your broth isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can create a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and stir it into the hot broth during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
While classic on its own, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles recipe is versatile! Here are some ideas to elevate your meal:
- Make it a Hearty Meal: Serve with a side of steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple garden salad for a complete and satisfying dinner. Don’t forget some warm, crusty bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Add More Vegetables: For extra nutrition and flavor, consider adding diced carrots, peas, or corn during the last hour of cooking, alongside the noodles.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle warmth, or a dash of smoked paprika for a deeper, earthier note.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with fresh herbs like chopped fresh dill or thyme stirred in at the very end for a bright, aromatic finish.
- Cheese Please! A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over each serving adds a wonderful salty, umami kick.
Craving More Cozy Recipes?
If you loved the ease and comfort of this Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other fantastic recipes perfect for feeding your family and warming your soul, many of which also utilize the convenience of your slow cooker:
- Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Creamy Chicken Stew
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Crock Pot Beef & Noodles
- Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
- Crock Pot Lasagna
- The Best Crock Pot Meatloaf
- Crock Pot Pork Loin
- Crock Pot Monterey Chicken
- Crock Pot Angel Chicken
- Cafeteria Noodles
- Chicken Cobbler
- Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
- 10 Crock Pot Mississippi Recipes
- 75 Fall Crock Pot Dinners
Originally published: September 2020
Updated photos & republished: January 2023
Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles
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10 minutes
6 hours
6 hours 10 minutes
8
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup (with herbs)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup (1/2 stick) salted butter, sliced into chunks
- 3 ½ cups chicken broth
- 8 ounce medium egg noodles, uncooked
- 1-2 teaspoons dried parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 5-6 quart oval crockpot, then evenly top with the cream of chicken soup.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder evenly on top.
- Add butter slices to the top, then pour in the chicken broth.
- Cook over low heat for 5-6 hours, or high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred into chunks with two forks (do not remove any liquid from the pot.)
- Add the shredded chicken back to the pot along with the dry egg noodles and stir.
- Cover and continue cooking for 30-45 minutes, until noodles are tender. If necessary, add additional chicken broth or a splash of milk to thin out the mixture.
- Serve and top with dried parsley (optional).
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Notes
- Most egg noodles come in a 12-ounce bag – you’ll need about ¾ of the bag for this recipe.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breast for a richer flavor.
- Use less chicken if you prefer a higher noodle-to-chicken ratio.
- If your chicken breasts are particularly large, using just 3 might be sufficient.
- No-yolk noodles can be used in place of traditional egg noodles.
- Feel free to switch up the cream soup. One can could be cream of chicken and the other could be cream of celery or mushroom to change the flavor profile.
- For an even thicker sauce, make a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water) and stir it in during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
Main Course
American
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 21 g
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Protein: 17 g
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Fat: 9 g
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Sodium: 646 mg
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Fiber: 1 g
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Sugar: 1 g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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