Oh, hello there! If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years in the kitchen, it’s that sometimes, the simplest meals bring the most comfort. As a busy mom and home cook just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, I’ve found that my Crockpot is often my best friend, especially when the dinner hour looms and my energy is running low. That’s how this incredible Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe came to be one of my absolute favorites. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, bursting with flavor and coming together with surprising ease. Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight lifesaver.
Table of Contents
Why This Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe is a Hug in a Bowl
I’ve made my fair share of chicken and noodles over the years, but this particular slow cooker version holds a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a true kitchen win for so many reasons:
- Incredibly Easy Weeknight Meal: Seriously, you just toss everything into the crockpot and let it do its magic. It’s perfect for those evenings when getting dinner on the table feels like a marathon.
- Uses Pantry Staples: Most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry or fridge, meaning fewer last-minute dashes to the grocery store.
- Yields a Wonderfully Creamy and Satisfying Dish: The combination of cream of chicken soup and chicken broth creates the most luscious, comforting sauce that coats every single noodle and piece of chicken.
- Perfect for Busy Families: It’s a crowd-pleaser that even the pickiest eaters will love, and it makes enough to have delicious leftovers for lunch the next day.
Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- First things first, nestle those boneless, skinless chicken breasts right into the bottom of your crockpot. Then, lovingly top them with the cream of chicken soup. Go ahead and sprinkle all those wonderful spices – the dried parsley, seasoned salt, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder – right over the soup. Pop those butter slices on top, and finally, pour in the chicken broth.Sarah’s Tip: Make sure your chicken breasts are roughly the same size for even cooking! Don’t forget to admire how beautifully everything fits together in the crockpot – the magic is starting!
- Now, it’s time to let the slow cooker work its wonders. Cook over low heat for 5-6 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, use the high heat setting for 3-4 hours. Once the chicken is beautifully cooked through and tender, carefully remove it from the pot. Grab two forks and shred the chicken into nice, large chunks.Sarah’s Tip: The aroma filling your kitchen will be divine! For easy shredding, use two forks and gently pull the chicken apart. It should be incredibly tender and fall apart beautifully.
- Return the wonderfully shredded chicken back into the pot with all that lovely sauce. Now, add your dry egg noodles right into the mix, and give everything a good, gentle stir to make sure those noodles are submerged. Continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the noodles are perfectly tender. And there you have it, ready to be savored!Sarah’s Tip: Adding the noodles towards the end is our little secret to perfectly cooked, never-mushy noodles. Give it a good stir to make sure they’re submerged in that glorious sauce.
Notes
- Timing Matters: Add egg noodles only during the final 30–45 minutes to prevent them from becoming mushy. Ensure they are submerged in the liquid.
- Thickening Hack: If a thicker sauce is preferred, stir in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water after the noodles cook.
- Reheating: The sauce will thicken in the fridge. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth when reheating to restore creamy consistency.
A Closer Look at Your Ingredients
Let’s talk about what makes this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe so special. It’s all about the simple, humble ingredients working together to create something truly magical.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Cream of chicken soup
- Dried parsley
- Seasoned salt
- Poultry seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Butter
- Chicken broth
- Egg noodles
Mastering the Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Noodles: Step-by-Step
Putting this meal together is honestly such a joy, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. Here’s how we’ll make some magic happen in the slow cooker:
- Step 1: First things first, nestle those boneless, skinless chicken breasts right into the bottom of your crockpot. Then, lovingly top them with the cream of chicken soup. Go ahead and sprinkle all those wonderful spices – the dried parsley, seasoned salt, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder – right over the soup. Pop those butter slices on top, and finally, pour in the chicken broth.
- Sarah’s Tip: Make sure your chicken breasts are roughly the same size for even cooking! Don’t forget to admire how beautifully everything fits together in the crockpot – the magic is starting!
- Step 2: Now, it’s time to let the slow cooker work its wonders. Cook over low heat for 5-6 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, use the high heat setting for 3-4 hours. Once the chicken is beautifully cooked through and tender, carefully remove it from the pot. Grab two forks and shred the chicken into nice, large chunks.
- Sarah’s Tip: The aroma filling your kitchen will be divine! For easy shredding, use two forks and gently pull the chicken apart. It should be incredibly tender and fall apart beautifully.
- Step 3: Return the wonderfully shredded chicken back into the pot with all that lovely sauce. Now, add your dry egg noodles right into the mix, and give everything a good, gentle stir to make sure those noodles are submerged. Continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the noodles are perfectly tender. And there you have it, ready to be savored!
- Sarah’s Tip: Adding the noodles towards the end is our little secret to perfectly cooked, never-mushy noodles. Give it a good stir to make sure they’re submerged in that glorious sauce.
Tips for Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Perfection
Even the simplest recipes can have little quirks, and I want to make sure yours turns out absolutely perfect every time! Here are a few pointers that have helped me along the way.
- Preventing Mushy Noodles: The key to perfectly tender, not-mushy noodles is adding them during the last 30-45 minutes of cooking. This gives them just enough time to cook through in the sauce without turning into mush. If you peek and they seem a little firm, just give them a few more minutes.
- Achieving the Perfect Sauce Consistency: Our cream of chicken soup is the magic maker for a wonderfully creamy sauce. If you happen to prefer it even thicker, you can easily whip up a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) and stir it into the sauce right at the end, after the noodles are cooked. If it ever seems too thick, a little splash of extra chicken broth or milk will thin it out beautifully.
- Keeping Chicken Tender: The initial cooking time is designed to make the chicken incredibly tender. Try not to overcook it in that first stage. Shredding it promptly after removing it from the heat helps lock in that moisture, keeping it wonderfully succulent.
Delicious Variations and Smart Substitutions
One of the things I love most about cooking is the endless possibilities for making a recipe your own! This Crockpot Chicken and Noodles is wonderfully adaptable. Craving Italian-inspired comfort? Try our Tuscan chicken crockpot recipe for another cozy slow cooker dinner.
| Variation/Substitution | Details & Sarah’s Tips |
|---|---|
| Noodle Swap | Use wide egg noodles, Reames noodles, or even some fun pasta shapes like rotini or penne! Just ensure they’re added in the final cooking stage. |
| Veggie Boost | Stir in frozen peas or carrots during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Sautéed onions or celery can be added with the liquids in the beginning for extra flavor. |
| Rotisserie Chicken Hack | For an even quicker meal, shred meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken and add it back in with the noodles. So convenient! |
| Herbacious Twists | Add a pinch of dried thyme, sage, or even a bay leaf (remove before serving) for a different flavor profile. |
| Dairy-Free Delight | Use dairy-free cream of chicken soup alternatives (homemade or store-bought) and a splash of unsweetened plant-based milk (like almond or cashew) for extra creaminess. |
| Gluten-Free Goodness | Opt for gluten-free egg noodles or a gluten-free pasta alternative. Ensure your cream soup alternative is also gluten-free. |
Serving Suggestions: Beyond the Bowl
While this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles is a meal all on its own, I love finding little ways to make it even more special. Here are a few ideas that I often use:
- Classic Comfort: Serve a generous scoop alongside a simple side salad dressed with your favorite vinaigrette. And of course, a slice of warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover delicious sauce.
- Green Goodness: To balance out the richness, I often pair this dish with steamed green beans or some tender roasted broccoli drizzled with a little fresh lemon juice.
- Casserole Makeover: For a fun twist, transfer the finished chicken and noodles to a baking dish. Top it with a sprinkle of shredded cheese or some crushed crackers, then pop it into the oven until it’s bubbly and golden brown. It’s like a whole new meal! If you love baked pasta, you’ll also enjoy our Chicken Alfredo Bake recipe on another night.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
Life gets busy, and I’m all about making things as easy as possible! This recipe is pretty forgiving, and here’s how I handle the ahead-of-time prep and leftovers.
- Prep Ahead: To save yourself precious minutes in the morning, you can measure out all your dry spices (parsley, seasoned salt, poultry seasoning, garlic powder) and keep them together in a small baggie or container. Just toss them into the crockpot along with everything else when you’re ready to start cooking.
- Storing Leftovers: Once the chicken and noodles have cooled down completely, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They usually keep wonderfully for about 3-4 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready for round two, gently reheat the leftovers on the stovetop over low heat. If it seems a bit thick, just add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up. Microwaving is also an option; just be sure to stir it halfway through for even heating.
A Little Culinary History
Chicken and noodles have always been a staple of comforting, home-style cooking, a dish that signifies warmth and nourishment. Before the convenience of slow cookers, this meal might have involved more stovetop attention. But the slow cooker has truly revolutionized this classic, making it accessible for even the busiest home cooks. It’s a beautiful example of how modern kitchen tools can help us keep beloved, traditional dishes alive and thriving in our modern lives.
Slow Cooker Size Matters
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s designed for a standard 6-quart slow cooker, which is what most of us have in our kitchens. However, cooking times can sometimes vary a little if you’re using a smaller or larger appliance. Don’t worry too much, though. Just keep an eye on it, and check for doneness, especially with the chicken and noodles. You’ve got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
I always get a few questions about this recipe, and I’m happy to help clarify!
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, chicken thighs will work beautifully and become even more tender, but they may take slightly longer to cook. Just make sure they’re cooked through before shredding.
- How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin? You can make a slurry with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water, then stir it into the simmering sauce at the end (after noodles are cooked). Let it simmer for a minute or two until thickened.
- Can I use fresh noodles? Fresh egg noodles cook much faster than dried ones. Add them in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent them from getting too soft or mushy.
- Is this recipe freezer-friendly? While it can be frozen, the noodles might become a bit softer upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh or as a refrigerated leftover for the optimal texture.
Share Your Culinary Creations!
I truly hope you love making and eating this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles as much as I do! It brings me so much joy to think of you all gathering around your tables, sharing this comforting meal. If you give this recipe a try, please, please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below, or even better, share a photo of your delicious creation with me on Pinterest or Facebook. I can’t wait to hear about your kitchen adventures! Happy cooking!
