The Best Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

This Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup is an easy way to make a comforting homemade soup without standing over the stove. Chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion and garlic slowly cook in a flavorful broth, then the egg noodles are added at the very end. It’s a cozy family dinner that’s especially good on chilly days or when you’re craving a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup.

chicken noodle soup in a slow cooker

Ingredient Notes

  • Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook right in the broth until tender.
  • Carrots: Add a little sweetness and plenty of classic chicken soup flavor.
  • Celery: A must for that familiar chicken noodle soup taste.
  • Yellow onion: Slowly cooks into the broth and adds lots of flavor.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the soup another layer of flavor.
  • Chicken broth: Use homemade chicken broth or your favorite low-sodium broth so you can control the salt.
  • Olive oil: Adds a little richness to the broth.
  • Thyme and bay leaf: These season the soup as it cooks.
  • Wide egg noodles: Add them near the end of cooking so they don’t become too soft.
  • Fresh parsley: Stirred in at the end for a little fresh flavor and color.
  • Salt and pepper: Season to taste depending on how salty your chicken broth is.
How do you keep noodles from getting mushy in chicken noodle soup?

The most important thing is not adding them too early. Add the egg noodles during the final few minutes of cooking and check them often. You can also cook the noodles separately and add them to individual bowls when serving.

Can I cook the noodles separately?

Absolutely. Cook the noodles according to the package directions and add them to each bowl as you serve the soup.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for the chicken breasts. Keep in mind that this recipe was originally developed using chicken breasts, so check the chicken for doneness rather than relying only on cooking time.

How to store and reheat:

– Refrigerator. Store in an airtight container up to 4 days. The noodles keep drinking broth as they sit, so add a splash of broth or water when you reheat.
– Freezer. Freeze up to 3 months. For the best texture, freeze the soup before the noodles go in and cook fresh noodles when you reheat. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
– Meal prep. Make the soup base ahead and keep it separate from the noodles. Portion the base into containers, then add hot noodles at serving time.

  • Wait to add the noodles. The egg noodles only need about 5–10 minutes in the Crockpot. Adding them too early can leave you with very soft or mushy noodles.
    Cooking the noodles separately is also an option. This works especially well if you expect leftovers. Spoon the cooked noodles into each bowl and ladle the hot soup over them.
  • Buy sturdy noodles. No Yolks and Great Value wide egg noodles both hold their shape. The thinner store brands are the ones readers report breaking apart.
  • Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This helps the carrots and celery cook at about the same rate.
  • Taste before adding extra salt. Chicken broth can vary quite a bit in saltiness, so adjust the seasoning toward the end.
  • Use thawed chicken. If your chicken is frozen, thaw it before putting it into the slow cooker. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Soup in the Crockpot

  1. In a 6 quart crockpot place whole chicken breasts on the bottom and top with , carrots, onion, celery, garlic, olive oil, thyme and bay leaf.

    The Best Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup - Chicken and vegetables in the crockpot
  2. Next add in chicken broth, water, and season with salt and pepper to taste. I used 1/2 teaspoon salt & 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover and cook on low heat 6 – 7 hours.

    Soup ingredients in the crockpot
  3. Remove cooked chicken breasts and cut into bite sized pieces. Place chicken back in to the crockpot. Now add in egg noodles and parsley. Cover and cook just until noodles are tender, 5-10 minutes.

    The Best Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup - Add noodles into crockpot
  4. Enjoy with your favorite crackers!
the best crockpot chicken noodle soup in a white bowl

Here are more soup recipes we love!

4.64 from 199 votes

The Best Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

Author Corey Valley
As you know, I LOVE SOUP! And what I love even more is soup that I can cook in the crockpot. The is The Best Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup EVER!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 stalks celery chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaves
  • 6 cups chicken broth use my EASY homemade broth or low-sodium
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (I used 1/2 teaspoon salt & 1/4 teaspoon pepper)
  • 2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
  • 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • In a 6 quart crockpot add in whole chicken breasts, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, olive oil, thyme and bay leaf.
  • Next add in chicken broth, water, and season with salt and pepper to taste. I used 1/2 teaspoon salt & 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • Cover and cook on low heat 6 – 7 hours.
  • Remove cooked chicken breasts and cut into bite sized pieces. Place chicken back in to the crockpot. Now add in egg noodles and parsley.
  • Cover and cook just until noodles are tender, 5-10 minutes.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 782mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5565IU | Vitamin C: 18.1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying of full recipe to any social media is prohibited.

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Originally Posted: October 2014
Post Updated: August 2026

4.64 from 199 votes (49 ratings without comment)

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436 Comments

  1. 1 star
    I found No Yolk brand egg noodles, per all these other reviews, and no I did not put them in early in the cooking process! I put them in for just 5 minutes, turned around, and my delicious broth was getting cloudy. I stirred it up, and there were NO noodles in sight – the broth got whiter, and upon taste-testing, the flavor was still there, but it was silty. If you can imagine melted noodles… it turned my soup into flour-water paste. I had three spoonfuls in a row, trying to rough it out, but the slightly sandy, flour consistency was very weird. Ended up throwing it out and ordering pizza! Waste of time and money 🙁 if I do this again I will use regular pasta, pre-cook it and add at the end.

    1. WOW Marissa, that is crazy! I have never heard of noddles melting in just 5 minutes in hot water. That is so strange. Sorry the soup didn’t work out for you 🙁

  2. Jasmine M says:

    After reading all the comments I did make my noodles seperate to avoid a mushy fiasco and after tasting almost halfway through I added another round of salt and pepper with Italian seasoning and a little cayenne for a some zest which it needed bc it’s pretty bland but I like those extra flavors. Still a good recipe. Thanks.

  3. I’m a little nervous about this soup. It’s been cooking 4.5 hours so far and all of the oil has just floated to the top. My significant other went to taste the broth and told me it was very greasy and there was too much thyme and very bland. I tasted it and experienced the same thing. There are many positive comments so I’m hoping it will turn out in the end, if not, I guess we’re getting takeout.

    1. I hope you love it too Courtney! Some people are not a fan of thyme, and prefer to leave it out. That is strange that it is so oily. Did you had a ton of extra oil? I think once it is done and all stirred up, it will be good to go 🙂

  4. Can I cook on high as well for 4-5 hours….not alot of time to go until dinner?

    1. did cooking on high for 4-5 hours work? I need to make it for tonight! 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    Made this today & it turned out excellent! Family loved it and no problem with the noodles. Thanks!

    1. Awesome! Thanks for sharing Pj 🙂