Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups uncooked egg noodles
Optional Toppings
- Fresh chopped parsley or mixed herbs
- Chopped chives
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh lemon juice and/or zest
- Oyster crackers
- Dash of hot sauce
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Add the chicken breasts, chopped onion, celery, carrots, minced garlic, chicken broth, dried thyme, poultry seasoning (if using), bay leaves, kosher salt, and black pepper into the slow cooker insert. Mix everything well to combine the ingredients evenly and distribute the flavors.
- Slow Cook Chicken and Vegetables: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2 ½ to 3 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. For longer cooking, allow at least 6 hours on low for maximum flavor extraction from the ingredients.
- Shred or Chop Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the chicken or chop it finely based on your preference, then return the prepared chicken to the soup in the slow cooker.
- Add Egg Noodles and Continue Cooking: Add the uncooked egg noodles to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the egg noodles are al dente and tender but not mushy.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove bay leaves before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, chives, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice or zest, oyster crackers, or a dash of hot sauce to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here for lean protein, but you can swap in chicken thighs or a mixture of both for a different texture and flavor.
- Shredded or Chopped: You can shred or chop the chicken after cooking, depending on your texture preference.
- Broth: Use a flavorful, low-sodium chicken broth to control saltiness and maximize taste. Homemade broth works wonderfully if available.
- Seasonings: The poultry seasoning is optional but adds depth; feel free to omit or substitute with your favorite herb blend.
- Cooking Times: Adjust slow cooker times based on your appliance and preferred timing; soup can be cooked longer on low for more developed flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
