Crockpot Creamy Chicken Noodle Meal – Comfort in a Bowl 🍲

This simple Chicken Noodle Meal is made in a slow cooker, resulting in a creamy, flavorful broth with tender shredded chicken and hearty frozen noodles.

Introduction

When you want a meal that warms you up, fills you up, and doesn’t require constant supervision in the kitchen, this slow‑cooker chicken‑noodle dish is just the ticket. Inspired by classic comfort food and expert advice from Chef Ree Drummond—“Keep cooking simple, let quality ingredients do the heavy lifting”—this recipe marries ease with flavour in one hearty pot.

In this article you’ll find the full ingredients list, step‑by‑step instructions, expert cooking and safety tips (from Chef Bobby Flay’s mindset), a nutrition & health‑benefits table, Frequently Asked Questions, internal links to helpful recipe pages on our site, and of course, plenty of tips to make this your go‑to weeknight meal.

Why This Meal Works

• Using a slow cooker (“crockpot”) means minimal hands‑on time and maximum convenience—just set it and walk away. Many successful slow‑cooker chicken noodle recipes follow this approach. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• The creamy base (cream of chicken soup + broth + butter) gives richness and texture, elevating it beyond a basic soup.
• Frozen noodles and mixed veggies simplify the process further—no chopping big piles of fresh veggies, and the noodles go in late to avoid mushiness. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• It’s versatile: you can add other vegetables, choose different noodle types, adjust seasoning, and make it yours.

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Ingredients

Here’s your ingredient list, organised clearly for this recipe (serves ~4‑6):

• 2 large frozen chicken breasts
• 1 packet chicken gravy
• 1 (32 oz) container 50% less sodium chicken broth
• 1 family‑size can cream of chicken soup
• ½ stick butter
• 1 (24 oz) pack frozen noodles
• 1 (10 oz) bag frozen mixed veggies
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• A sprinkle of dried parsley

Note: “frozen noodles” typically refers to pre‑cooked frozen pasta or frozen egg noodles; ensure they’re suitable for slow‑cooker use and add them at the appropriate time so they don’t overcook.

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Preparation Steps

Here’s how to make it, step‑by‑step. As Chef Gordon Ramsay advises: “Respect the time your ingredients need.”

Step 1: Set up the base

Place the 2 large frozen chicken breasts directly into your slow cooker. Pour in the 32 oz container of 50 % less sodium chicken broth. Add the packet of chicken gravy, the family‑size can of cream of chicken soup, and the ½ stick of butter. Season with ½ tsp black pepper and ½ tsp onion powder. Sprinkle in the dried parsley.

Step 2: Cook the chicken

Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for approximately 4‑6 hours (or on HIGH for ~2‑3 hours) until the chicken breasts are fully cooked and tender enough to shred. Many slow‑cooker chicken noodle recipes follow a similar timeline. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Step 3: Shred the chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot, place on a cutting board, and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken into the slow cooker and stir into the creamy broth base.

Step 4: Add frozen veggies and noodles

To the crockpot, add the 10 oz bag of frozen mixed veggies and the 24 oz pack of frozen noodles. Stir gently to combine everything evenly. Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for another 20‑30 minutes, or until the noodles are fully heated through and have absorbed some of the flavorful broth. (Note: If you were using dry noodles, you might need to cook them separately or add later—frozen noodles are simpler here.) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Step 5: Finish & serve

Once the noodles are tender and everything is hot, give the mixture a final stir, taste and adjust seasoning if needed (you might add more pepper or parsley). Serve the meal warm, straight from the slow cooker, perhaps with a simple side salad or steamed vegetable for extra green. Enjoy!

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Health Tips & Safety Considerations

Here are a few important tips to ensure your meal is both safe and slightly healthier:

• Check the internal temperature of chicken. Make sure your chicken breasts reach at least 165 °F (74 °C) when shredded—this is the safe threshold for poultry. Using frozen chicken is fine as long as the slow cooker brings it fully cooked.
• Don’t overcook the noodles. Frozen noodles (or any pasta) can quickly become mushy in a slow cooker; add them near the end of cooking so they retain texture. Forums warn about this. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Control sodium. You’ve chosen 50 % less sodium chicken broth, which is a smart move—many slow cooker recipes note that broths and soups often contain high amounts of salt. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Add vegetables. Including frozen mixed veggies adds fibre, vitamins and minerals—always a plus in a creamy dish. If you want to boost the veggie content further, you could add chopped carrots, celery or spinach at the same time as noodles.
• Portion appropriately. This dish is rich and comforting—if you’re watching calories or saturated fat (due to the butter and cream of chicken soup), pair it with a light side or reduce portion size.

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Nutrition & Health Benefits Table

Here’s a rough estimation for one serving when the recipe is divided into ~6 servings. (Exact values depend on brands and portion sizes.)

Health benefit highlights:

• High‑protein chicken supports muscle repair and satiety.
• Vegetables add fibre and micronutrients which complement the richer components.
• Using reduced‑sodium broth and frozen veggies helps manage sodium and convenience simultaneously.

Tip: To lighten the dish further, you could use a light version of cream of chicken soup (or make your own), reduce butter to a tablespoon, or increase the veggie to noodle ratio. Serve smaller portions with extra steamed greens for fullness.

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Serving & Presentation Tips

Since this is a cozy slow‑cooker one‑pot dish, here’s how to serve it beautifully and practically:

• Serve in warm bowls to keep the broth and noodles hot and comforting.
• Top each bowl with a little fresh chopped parsley or dried parsley for a bright visual and flavour accent.
• Consider pairing with a crisp green side salad (arugula, spinach, vinaigrette) or roasted broccoli to balance richness with freshness.
• If you want to portion for leftovers, use individual airtight containers and then reheat in the microwave or oven until piping hot.

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Internal Links for Further Reading

For more comforting one‑pot meals and slow‑cooker inspirations, check out these articles on our site:

• Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Make
• One‑Pot Meals for Busy Weeknights
• Comfort Food Recipes Made Easy

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen chicken breasts?

Yes—using fresh chicken breasts is perfectly fine. If you use fresh instead of frozen, ensure they are fully cooked (internal temp 165 °F / 74 °C) and you may reduce cooking time slightly since you’re not starting from frozen.

2. Can I substitute another type of noodle or pasta?

Yes—while the recipe uses a 24 oz pack of frozen noodles, you could use fresh egg noodles, cooked pasta added later, or even a gluten‑free variety. Just adjust cooking time so the noodles don’t become mushy. Many crockpot chicken noodle recipes caution about over‑cooking noodles. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

3. What if I don’t have a “packet chicken gravy”?

You can substitute by using a gravy mix you already have, or skip the gravy packet and add extra seasoning (½ tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, paprika) plus a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the broth if desired.

4. How can I make this dish lighter?

Several options: Use leaner chicken (e.g., skinless chicken breast), reduce or omit the butter, use light or lower‑fat cream of chicken soup (or make a homemade version), increase the vegetables and reduce the noodle portion, or use whole‑grain pasta to boost fibre.

5. Can I add other vegetables?

Yes. You can add chopped carrots, celery, zucchini, spinach or peas. Add heartier vegetables earlier in the cooking process; softer vegetables (like spinach) can be stirred in near the end so they don’t overcook.

6. How many servings does this recipe yield?

Based on the ingredient quantities, you should get approximately 4‑6 generous servings depending on portion size. If you serve larger portions or have hearty appetites, plan for 4; for smaller portions or sides, up to 6.

7. Can I make this ahead of time or freeze leftovers?

Yes. You can assemble most of it ahead in the slow cooker insert (chicken, broth, soup, butter) and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook. For freezing, you can freeze the cooked dish (without noodles if you’d like better texture) in airtight containers for up to 2–3 months. Reheat thoroughly. Many sources caution that freezing cooked pasta or noodles can affect texture. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

8. My noodles got mushy—what went wrong?

Likely the noodles were added too early or cooked too long in the slow cooker. It’s best to add frozen or pre‑cooked noodles only near the end of cooking and to cook just until tender. Many slow‑cooker chicken‑noodle recipes mention this issue. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

9. What size slow cooker should I use?

A 6‑quart (5.7 L) slow cooker is a good size for this recipe. If you use a smaller model, it may cook faster or ingredients may fill the pot too much—monitor accordingly. If you use a very large slow cooker, the contents may be shallower and cook faster, so check early.

10. What sides go well with this meal?

Good side options include:

• A crisp green salad with vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
• Steamed or roasted green vegetables (broccoli, green beans, asparagus) for colour and fibre.
• Warm crusty bread or garlic bread if you’d like extra carbs (though optional).

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Conclusion & Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something comforting, hearty and hassle‑free, this Crockpot Creamy Chicken Noodle Meal is exactly the kind of dish that becomes a staple for your dinner rotation. With its rich broth, tender shredded chicken, hearty noodles and mixed veggies, it delivers both flavour and ease.

As Chef Ina Garten might say: “Cook from the heart, with good ingredients, and you’ll always win.” Set up your slow cooker in the morning, come home to a fragrant and satisfying dinner, and enjoy every spoonful. You’ve got this. 🍴