If you’ve ever dreamed of a cozy, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day, you’re going to want to try this Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe. It’s ridiculously easy to throw together, tender chicken swimming in creamy sauce, and those noodles? They soak up all the goodness perfectly. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become your go-to slow cooker dinner that your family will beg for again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-Off Prep: Just dump it all in the crock pot and walk away until dinner time.
- Creamy & Comforting: The chicken cooks tender in a delicious creamy broth that’s perfect for chilly nights.
- Versatile Flavor: You can easily tweak veggies and seasonings to fit your fridge and family preferences.
- Family Favorite: My people go crazy for this one — it always disappears in minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The combination here feels like all the right comfort food moments rolled into one dish. You’ll want diced onions for sweetness, tender chicken, that creamy soup base, and noodles that soak it all up. Grab frozen veggies for an easy way to boost nutrition with minimal effort.
- Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the broth, so don’t skip the diced onion at the bottom of your crock pot.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Super easy to shred once cooked and soak in all those cozy flavors.
- Cream of chicken soup: This is your secret to a rich, velvety sauce without extra fuss.
- Chicken broth (low sodium): Controls the saltiness and keeps things flavorful but balanced.
- Onion powder: A quick flavor booster that layers nicely with the fresh onion.
- Garlic (minced): Because everything’s better with a little garlic kick.
- Black pepper: For just the right amount of spice and warmth.
- Dried thyme: Adds an herby earthiness that ties the whole dish together.
- Sour cream: This sneaky ingredient makes the sauce extra creamy and luscious.
- Frozen mixed vegetables: A simple way to sneak in some color and nutrients without chopping.
- Frozen egg noodles: They hold up well to slow cooking and absorb the saucy goodness perfectly.
Variations
I like to swap things up here and there depending on what I have or what my family’s craving. This Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe is super forgiving, so feel free to get creative and make it your own!
- Using Different Noodles: Once I switched to gluten-free pasta and just cooked it separately to avoid the mushy texture; works great and keeps it gluten-free.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Sometimes I throw in fresh parsley or a sprinkle of thyme at the end to brighten things up.
- Extra Veggies: Try adding mushrooms or spinach—the slow cooker softens them nicely.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes goes a long way for a subtle kick.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients in the Crock Pot
Start by adding the diced onions to the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker — they make a sweet, flavorful base. Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts right on top of the onions. Pour in the cans of cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, then sprinkle the onion powder, garlic, black pepper, and dried thyme evenly over everything. No need to stir just yet.
Step 2: Cook Until the Chicken is Tender
Cover and cook everything on HIGH for about 2½ to 3½ hours — you’ll want to check towards the end. I’ve learned cooking on high keeps the chicken tender without turning the noodles gummy later (we’ll add noodles a bit later). When the chicken is cooked through and easily shredded, it’s time for the next step.
Step 3: Shred Chicken and Add Noodles
Pull the chicken out onto a plate and shred it with two forks or, if you want a hands-off method (which I love), use a hand mixer right in the crock pot. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot, then stir in the sour cream, frozen mixed vegetables, and frozen egg noodles until everything is coated in that creamy sauce.
Step 4: Final Cooking for Soft Noodles
Pop the lid back on and cook for another 60 to 90 minutes, still on HIGH, until the noodles are tender but not mushy. I usually start checking at 60 minutes so I don’t overcook the noodles. This last phase is where the magic happens—the noodles soak up all that rich, flavorful broth and you get the perfect creamy texture.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
- Cook on High Temperature: Cooking on low made my noodles mushy, so I always use high for the best texture.
- Shred with a Mixer: A hand mixer saves me so much time and gets the chicken shredded evenly without dirtying extra tools.
- Add Veggies Later for Crunch: If you like your veggies less soft, toss them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Check Noodle Doneness Early: Noodles can go from perfect to mushy fast, so start checking at 60 minutes to avoid overcooking.
How to Serve Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a sucker for fresh garnishes that add a pop of color and freshness. Usually, I sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top just before serving—it brightens up that creamy dish beautifully. A squeeze of lemon or a shake of grated Parmesan also takes the flavor to another level if you want to get fancy.
Side Dishes
Since this dish is pretty hearty on its own, I like pairing it with something light and crisp like a simple green salad or steamed broccoli. Sometimes naan bread or crusty rolls for soaking up any extra sauce are a welcome addition too.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe in adorable mini ramekins topped with a sprinkle of herbs and a drizzle of truffle oil. It adds a touch of elegance but keeps the comfort food vibe. Another fun idea is layering it in a casserole dish, topping with breadcrumbs and cheese, then broiling for a crunchy finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The noodles soak up even more flavor overnight, so they’re just as tasty the next day. Just be sure to stir well before reheating since the sauce can thicken.
Freezing
Freezing chicken and noodles can be tricky because the noodles tend to get mushy. But if you want to freeze, I recommend freezing the shredded chicken and sauce separately from the noodles. Then just cook fresh noodles when you’re ready to eat and combine everything before serving.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce and bring it back to creamy perfection. Microwaving works too—just cover and stir every minute to avoid cold spots.
FAQs
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Can I use thighs instead of chicken breasts in this Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually great because they stay juicy and tender during slow cooking. Just keep the same cooking times, but be sure the chicken is fully cooked and shred easily before adding the noodles.
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Do I have to use frozen egg noodles or can I use dried noodles?
You can use dried noodles, but I recommend cooking them separately before adding them in, so they don’t get gummy or overly soft in the slow cooker. Frozen egg noodles work best because they cook right in the crock pot without extra steps.
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Can I prepare this Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe in advance?
Yes! You can prep everything by layering it in your crock pot insert, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. Just add the noodles and sour cream when you return to cook it the next day. This makes busy weeknight dinners a breeze.
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What if I want my vegetables to stay crunchy?
The trick I learned is to add frozen veggies during the last 30 minutes of cooking instead of the beginning. This keeps them from becoming too soft while still heating through nicely.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe is truly one of those meals that feels like it was made just for cozy nights in. I love how easy it is to prep and how the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, so you can just enjoy dinner with your family. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s the kind of comfort food you’ll revisit again and again, especially when you want something warm, satisfying, and homemade without the stress.
PrintCrock Pot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This comforting Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles recipe combines tender shredded chicken, creamy sauce, and tender egg noodles with mixed vegetables, all slow-cooked to perfection in a crock pot for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
Additional Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 24 oz frozen egg noodles
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Add the diced onion to the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the onions to form the base layer.
- Add liquids and seasoning: Pour in the cream of chicken soup, low sodium chicken broth, onion powder, minced garlic, black pepper, and dried thyme over the chicken and onions. These ingredients create a flavorful, creamy cooking liquid.
- Cook chicken on high: Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and infused with the seasoning and broth flavors.
- Shred chicken: Carefully remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it using two forks. This will give you the perfect texture for the noodles and sauce to cling to.
- Add shredded chicken and other ingredients: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the sour cream, frozen egg noodles, and frozen mixed vegetables. Gently mix to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Finish cooking: Cover and continue to cook on high for another 60 to 90 minutes, or until the noodles are soft and fully cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Notes
- If using different types of noodles such as gluten-free or dried pasta, cook the noodles ahead of time to avoid a gummy texture, and be prepared to adjust cooking times and liquid amounts accordingly.
- For crunchier vegetables, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking instead of at the beginning.
- For easier shredding, use a hand mixer or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer instead of manually shredding with forks.
- Always cook this dish on high heat for best results—cooking on low can cause noodles to overcook and become mushy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg