Homestyle Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Homestyle Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup – rich and hearty homemade chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker.

Homestyle Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

A flavor-packed chicken noodle soup with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, homestyle noodles, and a homemade chicken broth all made in the slow cooker. Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and thick cut vegetable simmer all day in the slow cooker to create a homemade chicken broth that transitions to a cozy homestyle chicken noodle soup. Browning the skin of the chicken thighs and sautéing the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker help build flavor. After the flavorful broth is built, the skin and bones from the chicken are discarded and homestyle egg noodles that are found in the freezer section are added to make a delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. At the end, a splash of apple cider vinegar cuts through the rich chicken stock to balance the flavors of the soup.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

• Vegetable Oil – or any neutral oil for browning the chicke thighs
• Chicken Thighs – bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Salt and Pepper – Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Onion – diced yellow onion
• Carrots – peeled and cut on the bias, cuts should fairly thick about 1/2 inch
• Celery – cut on the bias, cuts should be fairly thick about 1/2 inch
• Garlic – finely minced
• Tomato Paste – to add richness and body to the chicken stock
• Water
• Chicken Bouillon – I used Knorr granulated bouillon. Good alternatives would be Better Than Bouillon or Low-Sodium Chicken Broth as a substitute for the water and the bouillon.
• Thyme – fresh spigs of thyme or dried thyme. Substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dreid thyme.
• Egg Noodles – to give the chicken noodle soup more of a homestyle flavor, I used frozen egg noodles instead of dried. Look for them in the freezer section of your grocery store.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – a splash of acid to balance the flavors. Fresh lemon juice is a good alternative.
• Parsley – for freshness and color.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

• Start on the Stove Top – Start by browning the skin on the chicken thighs on the stovetop top. This renders some of the fat from the chicken, which you can use to sauté the vegetables. The browned chicken and the sautéed vegetables get transferred to the slow cooker to build layers of flavor.
• Use the Slow Cooker to Make a Homemade Broth – the chicken thighs and vegetables will simmer away in the slow cooker to create a homemade broth.
• Finish the Soup – once the chicken is cooked and shreds easily and the vegetables are tender, transfer the chicken to a plate to cool. Discard the skin and the bones. In the meantime, cook the noodles according to package directions. Add chicken and cooked egg noodles to slow cooker. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley.

Recipe Tips for Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

1. Use Bone-In Skin On Chicken Thighs for Best Results – beyond being budget friendly, the chicken thighs are perfect for the slow cooker. They help build flavor in the chicken broth and they will maintain their tenderness even if slightly overcooked.
2. Cut the vegetables thick – To avoid overcooking the carrots and celery, cut them about 1/2 inch thick on the bias.
3. Fresh Egg Noodles – for a more homestyle soup, try the fresh egg noodles that are sold in the freezer section. Make sure to follow the package directions for cooking for best results.
4. Cook the Noodles Separately for Best Results – Noodles added to the slow cooker directly for cooking will breakdown quickly and make leftovers messy. Cook the noodles separately then add them to the broth.
5. Keep the Noodles Separate, if making ahead – if you are making this recipe specifically for leftovers or meal prep, consider adding the noodles as needed.

Freezing Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

This recipe makes a big batch of soup, so it would be great for freezing. If you want to freeze the soup, freeze the broth and vegetables separately before adding the noodles for best results. Select a freezer baggie size based on the serving size you will want to thaw, add soup squeezing out any excess air. Lay baggie flat to freeze, then once frozen store standing up like a file folder.

More Soup Recipes

• Creamy Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup
• Chicken Pot Pie Soup

More Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
• Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
• Ultimate Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese
• Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells