If you’re looking for a cozy meal that feels like a warm hug, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe. This dish has saved me countless busy nights with its melt-in-your-mouth chicken and irresistibly creamy noodles, all cooked effortlessly while I go about my day. Stick around, and I’ll share with you the secrets that make this recipe a guaranteed hit in every home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Convenience: Just set it and forget it—perfect for busy days or when you want dinner ready with minimal fuss.
- Creamy Comfort: The combination of cream of chicken soup and butter gives you ultra-rich, velvety noodles and chicken every time.
- Family Favorite: My kids and guests alike always ask for seconds—it’s that good!
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry, making it an easy weeknight winner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe was carefully picked to create that rich, comforting flavor you crave, without unnecessary hassle. Plus, I’ll throw in a few tips to make shopping and prepping even smoother.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Choose fresh or thawed chicken for the most tender results; you want breasts that are roughly uniform in size for even cooking.
- Cream of chicken soup: Use the canned or boxed versions without adding water—this keeps your sauce perfectly creamy and thick.
- Dried parsley: Adds a subtle herbaceous note—don’t skip it, even if you don’t love fresh herbs.
- Seasoned salt: This helps deepen flavor without needing to add extra salt later.
- Poultry seasoning: A little goes a long way to enhance the chicken’s flavor with that classic comforting taste.
- Garlic powder: I love this touch for a mellow garlic aroma that’s not overpowering.
- Butter (½ stick): Sliced on top for richness—you’ll want the butter to melt slowly and mingle with the broth and soup.
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium if you want more control over salt levels; it’s the liquid base that keeps everything moist and flavorful.
- Egg noodles (uncooked): I prefer wide egg noodles here for that perfect chew and to soak up the sauce, but any fresh pasta noodle will do.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this recipe depending on what we’re craving or what’s on hand. Customize it to exactly how you like—it’s super forgiving, so don’t hesitate to experiment.
- Use rotisserie chicken: For an even quicker version, swap the raw chicken breasts with pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken and reduce the cooking time.
- Dairy-free swap: Replace the butter with vegan butter and use a dairy-free cream of chicken soup alternative to suit dietary needs.
- Add veggies: Toss in frozen peas or carrots in the last 30 minutes of cooking for added color and nutrients—my family loves the freshness it adds.
- Spicy kick: Sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you want a little heat.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Layer and Season with Love
Start by placing your chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot. This method ensures they cook evenly and soak up all those yummy flavors from the layers you’ll add next. Pour the cream of chicken soup right over the top—don’t thin it out with water; that richness is the heart of the dish. Sprinkle on the dried parsley, seasoned salt, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder for an herb-packed punch. Then lay your butter slices over everything before pouring in the chicken broth as the flavorful cooking liquid.
Step 2: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. This slow, gentle heat allows the chicken to become juicy and tender without drying out. If you’re short on time, high for 3 to 4 hours also works, but low and slow is my personal favorite. Around I’ve found the chicken is easiest to shred after this full slow cook.
Step 3: Shred and Add Noodles
Carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred them into large, juicy chunks using two forks. Adding back the shredded chicken to the pot is when this meal really comes together. Toss in your uncooked egg noodles and gently stir to combine everything. Don’t worry—the noodles finish cooking right in that creamy sauce, soaking up all the flavor.
Step 4: Finish Cooking the Noodles
Cook on low for an additional 30 to 45 minutes, or until the noodles are just tender. Keep an eye on the texture here; you want them soft but still with a slight bite, not mushy. Give it a gentle stir once or twice if you’re around, just to make sure the noodles don’t clump or stick to the bottom.
Pro Tips for Making Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
- Choose Even-Sized Chicken: I once ended up with unevenly cooked chicken because my breasts were different sizes—try to pick similarly sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Don’t Skip the Butter: Adding butter on top might seem old school, but it’s what truly rounds out the flavor and makes the sauce creamy and luscious.
- Use Fresh Egg Noodles When Possible: Fresh noodles cook more evenly and add a tender bite—if you only have dried, just watch the timing carefully to avoid overcooking.
- Avoid Over-stirring After Adding Noodles: Stir gently to prevent noodles from breaking down, preserving texture and appearance.
How to Serve Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a handful of fresh chopped parsley or green onions right on top before serving—it brightens the dish and adds a pop of color. Sometimes, a little cracked black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice livens up the creamy goodness beautifully.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides with this hearty dish are roasted green beans or a crisp garden salad to balance the richness. Sometimes, we enjoy crusty bread or garlic dinner rolls to soak up every last bit of the sauce—trust me, you’ll want that!
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I like serving the chicken and noodles in mini bread bowls—it’s always a fun surprise for guests and makes the meal feel extra cozy. You could also layer the noodles and chicken in a casserole dish topped with breadcrumbs and bake lightly for a crispy finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and try to consume them within 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making for an even better lunch the next day.
Freezing
I have frozen this meal a couple of times by portioning it into freezer-safe containers. Just be sure to cool it completely before freezing. When thawed, the noodles soften a bit more, but it’s still delicious comfort food.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and maintain that creamy texture.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but I recommend cooking the crockpot chicken and noodles recipe on low for a longer time to ensure the chicken fully thaws and cooks through—typically closer to 7-8 hours.
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Do I have to use egg noodles, or can I substitute other pasta?
Egg noodles are ideal because of their tender texture, but you can substitute other pasta shapes like rotini or small shells if you prefer—just adjust cooking time as needed to avoid overcooking.
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How can I make this recipe less creamy or lighter?
Try swapping one can of cream of chicken soup for low-fat Greek yogurt added at the end, or use a reduced-fat soup. Also, opting for low-sodium broth and minimizing butter can help lighten the dish.
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Can I add vegetables to this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe?
Absolutely! Adding vegetables like carrots, peas, or mushrooms in the last hour or so of cooking adds nutrition and color without over-softening them.
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What if my noodles absorb too much liquid and the dish becomes dry?
If your noodles soak up too much liquid, just stir in a little extra chicken broth or water during cooking or when reheating to loosen things up and keep it creamy.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Crockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe is one of those trusty meals I always come back to whenever I want comfort food without the fuss. The way the chicken turns tender and the noodles soak up that creamy sauce—it’s just pure magic in a bowl. I truly hope you enjoy making (and eating) it as much as my family and I do. Go ahead and give it a try tonight; I promise you’ll be hooked!
PrintCrockpot Chicken and Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (420 minutes) total including noodle cooking
- Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes (425 minutes)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crockpot Chicken and Noodles recipe offers a comforting and hearty meal made easy in your slow cooker. Tender, juicy chicken breasts are simmered with creamy soup, butter, and savory seasonings before being combined with tender egg noodles for a delicious, all-in-one dinner perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 1/2 – 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cans (10.5 oz each) cream of chicken soup (no water added)
- 1-2 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp seasoned salt
- ¼ tsp poultry seasoning
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ stick butter, sliced
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
Noodles
- 8 oz egg noodles, uncooked
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly at the bottom of the crockpot to form the base layer for the dish.
- Add Soup and Seasonings: Top the chicken with the two cans of cream of chicken soup, making sure not to add any water. Sprinkle dried parsley, seasoned salt, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder evenly over the soups for flavor.
- Include Butter and Broth: Arrange slices of butter over the top mixture, then pour in 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth to add moisture and create a rich sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook the mixture on low heat for 5 to 6 hours or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred them into large chunks using two forks for a nice texture.
- Add Noodles and Combine: Return the shredded chicken back into the crockpot. Add the uncooked egg noodles and stir gently to combine everything evenly.
- Cook the Noodles: Continue cooking on the crockpot for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until the egg noodles are tender and fully cooked.
- Serve: Once the noodles are tender, give everything a final stir and serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal the whole family can enjoy.
Notes
- This is a comforting, home-cooked meal made entirely in the slow cooker, perfect for hands-off cooking.
- The creamy sauce and tender chicken combined with hearty noodles create a satisfying and delicious one-pot dinner.
- You can adjust the herbs and seasonings to your taste, adding fresh parsley or substituting poultry seasoning with herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- For a thicker sauce, you can use less chicken broth or cook a little longer uncovered to reduce the liquid.
- This recipe freezes well; store leftovers in a freezer-safe container and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 357 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1206 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 117 mg