Description
This easy slow cooker chicken noodle soup is the ultimate cozy comfort meal, featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles in a rich, savory broth. It’s a hands-off, family-friendly recipe ideal for busy days, sick days, or when you crave classic comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 medium carrots, sliced (about 1 cup)
- 3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1.5 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 5 oz wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for finishing)
Instructions
- Prep the vegetables: Slice carrots, chop celery, dice onion, and mince garlic.
- Layer ingredients in the slow cooker: Place chicken thighs at the bottom, then add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sprinkle with thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and add bay leaf.
- Add chicken broth and stir gently. Cover with lid.
- Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Remove chicken thighs, shred with two forks, and discard bones. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add egg noodles, stir, and cook on HIGH for 10–15 minutes until noodles are just tender.
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning; add lemon juice if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
Add noodles only at the end to prevent them from getting mushy. For extra flavor, sauté veggies before adding to the slow cooker. Use bone-in chicken for a richer broth. To make gluten-free, use gluten-free noodles and check broth labels. Add leafy greens like spinach or kale at the end for extra nutrition. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days; add extra broth when reheating as noodles absorb liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 cups per serving
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 20
Keywords: chicken noodle soup, slow cooker, comfort food, easy soup, family dinner, cozy meal, crockpot chicken soup, healthy soup, classic soup