Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup – This creamy crockpot chicken noodle soup is a perfect blend of convenience and deliciousness for your family, meal prepping for the week, or serving guests, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons why this slow cooker creamy chicken noodle soup is a must-try:
- Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does most of the work for you—just toss in the ingredients and let it simmer all day.
- Creamy & Comforting: With a luscious, velvety texture, this soup is indulgent yet wholesome.
- Perfect for Busy Days: Set it up in the morning, and come home to a comforting, ready-to-eat meal.
- Family-Friendly: Kids love it, and it’s easy to adapt for picky eaters.
- Customizable: You can tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs (more on that later in the variations section!).
Recipe FAQs
How Do I Thicken the Soup?
If you find that the soup isn’t thick enough, you can make a simple cornstarch slurry. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the soup in the final 20 minutes of cooking. Alternatively, use more roux (butter and flour) to achieve a thicker texture.
Can I Use a Different Type of Noodle?
Absolutely! While egg noodles are traditional, you can swap them for whole wheat pasta, gluten-free noodles, or even zoodles (zucchini noodles) if you’re looking for a low-carb option. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, as different noodles may require more or less time to become tender.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If you want to make a big batch, it also freezes well for up to 3 months. Just be sure to leave out the noodles if you plan to freeze the soup—they can get mushy upon reheating. Instead, cook fresh noodles when you’re ready to serve the leftovers.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
- Use Thighs for Juicier Chicken: While chicken breasts are leaner, thighs stay juicier during slow cooking. If you want ultra-tender chicken, go for boneless thighs.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Add the noodles at the end to prevent them from becoming too mushy. Cooking them directly in the slow cooker for about 20-30 minutes should do the trick.
- Make It Healthier: You can easily lighten up this recipe by swapping heavy cream for evaporated milk or using Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to toss in spinach, kale, or peas for extra nutrition. These additions also pair beautifully with the creamy base.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to get creative with flavors and ingredients. Here are a few ideas:
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup: Swap the noodles for wild rice to create a heartier, more filling meal.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk or cashew cream in place of heavy cream for a dairy-free yet creamy version.
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or even sriracha for some heat!
- Vegetarian Twist: Skip the chicken and add chickpeas or tofu for a plant-based creamy noodle soup.
How to Serve Your Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
This soup is best served piping hot with a side of crusty bread, garlic toast, or even buttery crackers. You can also garnish it with freshly chopped parsley, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, or a dash of black pepper for extra flavor. Pair it with a light side salad for a well-rounded meal.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator:
Let the soup cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When reheating, you may need to add a bit of broth or water to loosen it up, as the noodles can soak up liquid while sitting.
Freezer:
If you plan to freeze it, make the soup but omit the noodles. Freeze the base in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight, reheat it on the stove or in the microwave, and then cook the noodles fresh to avoid mushiness.
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup - This creamy crockpot chicken noodle soup is a perfect blend of convenience and deliciousness for your family, meal prepping for the week, or serving guests, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breasts or boneless, skinless thighs, chopped (about 3)
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 5 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 cups wide egg noodles (or other short pasta)
- 1 cup cream (18% or higher)
- 2 tbsp corn starch
Instructions
- Pro Tip: I like to prep the carrots, onion, celery, thyme, and parsley the night before. Store them in a freezer bag in the fridge, so the next morning all you have to do is dump them into the slow cooker.
- Morning Setup: Add the chicken broth, chopped chicken, carrots, onion, celery, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper into your slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Let it cook on low for 7-8 hours (or high for 3 hours) until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Creamy Finish: Turn the slow cooker to high. Whisk together the cream and corn starch, then stir it into the slow cooker along with the egg noodles.
- Final Touch: Cover and cook for an additional 10-20 minutes until the noodles are done and the soup has thickened slightly. If you like it extra creamy, you can mix more cream and corn starch for added thickness—just remember, the soup will thicken as it sits.
Notes
- You can substitute cream with milk if you'd like a lighter version, but be sure to add a little extra corn starch to get that same creamy texture.
- If you're prepping ahead, store the chopped veggies and seasonings in the fridge overnight to make assembly a breeze the next day.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 355Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 120mgSodium 434mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 28g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Slow cooker creamy chicken noodle soup is the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s ideal for cozy nights, busy weeks, or when you simply need something hearty and nourishing. The slow cooker does the hard work while you enjoy your day—and the result is a rich, creamy, and deeply comforting soup that will satisfy the whole family.
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