Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle

This Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is the perfect comfort food for chilly days when you want something warm, filling, and simple to prepare. Using spaghetti instead of the usual noodles gives this classic recipe a fresh twist that makes it fun and familiar all at once. It fills the house with the most inviting aroma while it cooks slowly throughout the day.

I first made this soup on a quiet weekend afternoon and loved how effortlessly it came together. Now it’s my go-to when I want a cozy meal waiting for me after a busy day.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: tender and lean protein that becomes silky when slow-cooked
• Medium carrots peeled and sliced: add sweetness and texture, choose firm, bright orange carrots
• Small sweet onion finely diced: builds the savory base, pick one that is fragrant and free from spots
• Garlic cloves minced fresh: brings brightness, fresh cloves are always best if you can manage
• Bay leaves dried: impart subtle earthy flavor remove before serving
• Italian seasoning blend: offers a balanced herbaceous note use good quality or homemade if possible
• Kosher salt and black pepper: essential for seasoning, kosher salt dissolves easily and black pepper freshly ground for best flavor
• Unsalted chicken stock: base for the soup’s body, unsalted allows you to control seasoning
• Spaghetti noodles broken into 2 to 3 inch pieces: adds a surprising twist, choose good quality pasta that holds up well in broth
• Fresh chopped parsley to garnish: optional, but it adds a fresh pop of color and brightness when served

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics and Prep the Slow Cooker:

Place the chicken breasts, carrots, diced onion, minced garlic, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper into an 8quart slow cooker. Pour in the unsalted chicken stock to cover the ingredients. Stir gently to combine everything and distribute the seasoning.

Slow Cook the Soup:

Set your slow cooker on low and let it cook for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. During this time, the chicken will cook through completely and the vegetables will soften, blending their flavors into the broth. The slow cooking process makes the chicken incredibly juicy and tender.

Shred the Chicken:

Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred or dice them into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to evenly distribute it in the broth along with the tender vegetables.

Add the Spaghetti Noodles:

Break the spaghetti noodles into 2 to 3 inch pieces and add them directly into the slow cooker. Stir carefully to submerge the noodles in the liquid so they cook evenly. Continue to cook on low for another 25 to 30 minutes stirring once halfway through to prevent sticking. The noodles should be tender but not mushy.

Final Seasoning and Serve:

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt or pepper to suit your preference. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top if you like. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting warmth.

This soup truly captures the feeling of home and comfort. In our family, the spaghetti twist sparked fun debates at the dinner table and kept the kids excited for seconds. The slow cooker does all the hard work, which means more time to relax while dinner simmers away.

Storage tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container after cooling to room temperature. Keep soup in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, remove noodles and freeze the soup without them for up to three months. Reheat soup and add freshly cooked pasta for best texture.

Ingredient substitutions

Chicken thighs can replace chicken breasts for juicier meat. Other pasta like ditalini or egg noodles work well if you prefer. Adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary adds an extra layer of flavor. Vegetables such as zucchini, celery, or baby spinach are good options to boost nutrition.

Serving suggestions

Serve with crusty bread or a simple green salad to make a complete meal. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a nice finishing touch. This soup pairs well with a light white wine or herbal tea for cozy evenings.

Enjoy this cozy, family friendly slow cooker chicken noodle soup. It makes weeknights easier and brings warm comfort to the table.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What seasonings enhance the flavor?

Additional options include pesto, smoked paprika, creole seasoning, lemon pepper, or sweet paprika to suit your taste.

→ Can fresh herbs be added?

Fresh thyme or rosemary complement the dish well, adding aromatic depth when simmered with the ingredients.

→ What vegetables work best as additions?

Try petite diced tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, celery, or wilt baby spinach and kale near the end of cooking for more nutrients.

→ Is spaghetti necessary, or can other pasta be used?

Spaghetti is the featured pasta, offering a unique texture, but ditalini or egg noodles can be substituted according to preference.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Allow the dish to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in airtight containers up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Store pasta separately to maintain texture.