Description
This comforting Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is perfect for chilly days or when you need a nourishing, hearty meal. Slow-cooked in a crock pot, the soup combines tender chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs, creating a rich broth served with soft egg noodles. Easy to prepare with minimal hands-on cooking, it yields six generous servings of classic homemade goodness.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 cup celery, chopped finely
- 1 cup onion, chopped finely
- 1 ½ cups carrots, sliced in small circles
- ½ tablespoon garlic, minced
Chicken & Broth
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 cups chicken broth, low or no sodium
Seasonings & Herbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 bay leaves
Pasta
- 3 ½ cups egg noodles (8 oz)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In your crock pot, add the chopped celery, onion, carrots, minced garlic, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaves, and chicken broth. Ensure everything is well combined for even flavor.
- Slow Cook: Cook the mixture on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
- Shred Chicken: About 20 minutes before serving, remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot and shred them using two forks until pulled apart into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Add Noodles and Heat: Turn the crock pot to high and add the egg noodles directly into the soup. Alternatively, you can cook the noodles separately on the stove if preferred.
- Cook Noodles: Let the noodles cook in the crock pot for 15-20 minutes, until tender. The soup will thicken slightly and be ready to serve once noodles are perfectly cooked.
Notes
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice level, or omit them for a milder soup.
- Using low or no sodium chicken broth is recommended to better control salt levels in the soup.
- Egg noodles can be substituted with other pasta types if desired, but cooking times may vary.
- If you prefer firmer noodles, cook them separately and add to bowls when serving rather than cooking in the crock pot.
- Leftovers taste great the next day and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
