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๐Ÿ Home ยป Recipes ยป Soup Recipes

Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup

Updated: Nov 6, 2023 ยท Published: Jan 19, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan ยท 37 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Time: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

This simple classic Chicken Noodle Soup recipe can be made in a crock pot or on the stovetopโ€”get a great homemade taste with tender chicken, noodles, and vegetables.

It is adapted from the 1972 Betty Crocker cookbook for stovetop and crockpot.

๐Ÿ“Ingredients

Chickenโ€”skinless boneless chicken breasts or thighs
Chicken broth
Vegetablesโ€”carrots, celery, and onion
Pantry ingredientsโ€”salt, black pepper, and bay leaf
Dry noodles

Ladle of chicken noodle soup over the crock pot.
Jump To (scroll for more)
  • ๐Ÿ“Ingredients
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Chicken Noodle Soup in a Crock Pot
  • โ™จ๏ธStovetop Version
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณVariations in the recipe
  • โ†•๏ธHow to make this a "for two" recipe or a larger double recipe
  • Some of my soup recipes
  • Serving
  • Storage and Leftovers
  • โ“FAQs
  • Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
  • ๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Featured Comment from Taylor:
"This soup came out fantastically. "

It is a classic soup, just like grandma would make since it is from her recipeโ€”a warm and comforting chicken noodle soup with chunks of chicken with lots of vegetables and noodles.

This simple recipe has no pre-cooking or taking the chicken out of the pot to cut it up. Make it to your taste with more broth or more noodles. While this is a smaller recipe, it is easy to cut in half and make it truly a "for two" recipe.

a much used 1972 Betty Crocker's Cookbook.

This is my wife's favorite chicken noodle soup recipe, but I added the conversion to a small crock pot. The original source is the 1972 Betty Crocker Cookbook.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณHow to Make Chicken Noodle Soup in a Crock Pot

two raw chicken breast with veggies and broth.

This is a four to five serving recipe. You can cut it in half easilyโ€”instructions in the blog post.

chopped carrots with celery and onion on a black board.

Peel and cut 2 carrots into medallions, medium onion chopped, and slice 2 ribs of celery.

cubes of raw chicken trimmed on a black board.

Trim and cut two skinless boneless chicken breasts into cubes (1 to 1 ยฝ pounds of chicken.) From this point on, the instructions are for the crock pot version. See the Pro Tips in the recipe card for stovetop instructions.

adding broth to all other ingredients in the crock pot.

Add the chicken and veggies to a small slow cooker (3 ยฝ qt.). Add  32 oz of chicken broth or stock, one bay leaf, ยฝ teaspoon of salt, and ยฝ teaspoon of pepper. Add one 14 oz can more of broth if you want a lot of liquid in your soup. Most of you will like this extra broth. Cook on low for 4 hours in the crock pot.

adding pasta to the soup in a crock pot.

After the first 3 hours in the crock pot, add 1 ยฝ cups of dry noodles and cook for the final hour. If you like a lot of noodles, add another ยฝ cup of noodles, BUT do not do this without adding more broth from the previous instruction. I suggest standard commercial egg noodles. Please check the pasta every 15 minutes until done. If you use non-standard pasta, you should check the pasta more frequently.

For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

โ™จ๏ธStovetop Version

To do this on the stovetop, add everything but the noodles to a Dutch oven and simmer for 1 ยฝ hours until carrots are tender and chicken is 165ยฐ. If doing whole raw chicken, remove and shred at this point.

If using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, add it at the same time as the noodles. Bring to a boil and cook noodles per package instructions.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸณVariations in the recipe

  • This recipe uses cubed chicken, but if you want shredded chicken, put the whole breasts in the crock pot (not frozen), and at the 3-hour mark, when adding the noodles, remove the chicken, shred and place it back into the crock pot.
  • If you want to use rotisserie chicken, add it with the noodles.
  • If you want more soup with lots of broth, add another 14 oz can of chicken broth. Most of you will want the extra broth.
  • If you want a lot of noodles, add a can of broth plus ยฝ cup more noodles. Don't add the extra noodles without the broth, or you won't have any broth left.

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โ†•๏ธHow to make this a "for two" recipe or a larger double recipe

The full recipe makes about 8 to 10 cups, which is 4-5 servings. This fits in a 3 ยฝ quart crock pot, but if you add all other optional broth and noodles, a bigger crock pot is better.

A half recipe will fit in a 2 quart or larger crock pot; a double recipe needs 6 ยฝ quarts or larger.

  1. Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings to half or double.
  2. Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructionsโ€”those do not adjust.
  3. The half will fit in a 2-quart crock pot, and a double recipe needs a 6 ยฝ quart or larger slow cooker.
  4. Cook for the same amount of time.

Some of my soup recipes

For other recipes you may like, first, check out Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup from the same cookbook. Other great soups you will love are my One Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup, Soup Nazi's Mexican Chicken Chili, Crock Pot Chicken Vegetable Soup, Crock Pot French Onion Soup, and Crock Pot Ham Bone and Bean Soup.

Serving

Serve with crackers, crusty bread, or yeast dinner rolls.

Storage and Leftovers

Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. The pasta will absorb some fluid during that time and may need some added broth. If you plan on freezing part of this, I suggest removing that amount before adding the pasta. It will freeze well for 3-4 months.

โ“FAQs

What pasta do you use for chicken noodle soup?

I suggest commercial egg noodles, and my timing reflects that. If you use non-standard pasta, especially if it has a quick cooking time, you need to assume my time estimates are incorrect and start watching your pasta starting at about the time suggested on the package.

Even with the commercial egg noodles, check them a few times during the cooking.

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โ†‘Jump to Table of Contents

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

Comfort Food Recipes, Crock Pot Recipes, Mini Crock Pot Recipes, Small Crock Pots Recipes, Soup Recipes

Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

๐Ÿ“–The Recipe Card with Step-by-Step Instructions

Ladle of chicken noodle soup over the crock pot

Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup

4.25 from 4 votes
From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
This simple classicย Chicken Noodle Soupย recipe can be made in a crock pot or on the stovetopโ€”get a great homemade taste with tender chicken, noodles, and vegetables.
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours hours
Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings #/Adjustable :6 servings
Print | Pin | Email share | Like and save for later Saved!

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric
  • 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts - 1 to 1 ยฝ pounds and may use thighs
  • 32-48 oz chicken broth - see recipe notes
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 ribs celery
  • 1 onion - medium
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 ยฝ cup dry noodles - see recipe notes

Step-by-Step Instructions
 

  • This is a four to five serving recipe. You can cut it in half easilyโ€”instructions in the blog post.
    two chicken breasts with veggies and noodles
  • Peel and cut 2 carrots into medallions, medium onion chopped, and slice 2 ribs of celery.
    chopped carrots with celery and onion on a black board
  • Trim and cut two skinless boneless chicken breasts into cubes (1 to 1 ยฝ pounds of chicken.) From this point on, the instructions are for the crock pot version. See the Pro Tips in the recipe card for stovetop instructions.
    cubes of raw chicken trimmed on a black board
  • Add the chicken and veggies to a small slow cooker (3 ยฝ qt.).ย Addย  32 oz of chicken broth or stock, one bay leaf, ยฝ teaspoon of salt, and ยฝ teaspoon of pepper. Add one 14 oz can more of broth if you want a lot of liquid in your soup. Most of you will like this extra broth. Cook on low for 4 hours in the crock pot.
    adding broth to all other ingredients in the crock pot
  • After the first 3 hours in the crock pot, add 1 ยฝ cups of dry noodles and cook for the final hour. If you like a lot of noodles, add another ยฝ cup of noodles BUT do not do this without adding more broth from the previous instruction. I suggest standard commercial egg noodles. Please check the pasta every 15 minutes until done. If you use non-standard pasta, you should check the pasta more frequently.
    adding pasta to the soup in a crock pot

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips

  1. You may use skinless boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts. You will want 1 to 1 ยฝ pounds of either.
  2. If you want shredded chicken, add the whole raw breasts and remove to shred at the three-hour mark, and add it back in with the noodles.
  3. If using precooked rotisserie chicken, add it with the noodles.
  4. I suggest commercial egg noodles, and my timing reflects that. If you use non-standard pasta, especially if it has a quick cooking time, you need to assume my time estimates are incorrect and start watching your pasta starting at about the time suggested on the package.
  5. Even with the commercial egg noodles, check them a few times during the cooking.
  6. We like chicken noodle soup with lots of "stuff." The recipe, as written, is excellent. Most of you will want 48 oz of broth in this recipe.
  7. Second, if you are a big noodle person, you can add another ยฝ cup of noodles BUT do not do this without adding the additional broth, or it will absorb most of the broth.
  8. This fits nicely in a 3 ยฝ qt crock pot. You may use a bigger pool.
  9. With each reheating, the noodles absorb more fluid, so you usually need more broth with each reheating.
  10. Good refrigerated for 3-4 days. It can be frozen but remove what you want to freeze before the noodles. Good frozen for 3-4 months.

Stovetop Version

  1. To do this on the stovetop, add everything but noodles to a Dutch oven and simmer for 1-ยฝ hours until carrots are tender and chicken is 165ยฐ. If doing whole raw chicken breasts, remove and shred at this point.
  2. If using pre-cooked chicken, then add it at this point with the noodles.
  3. Bring to a boil and cook noodles per package instructions.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.

To adjust the recipe size:

You can adjust the number of servings above; however, only the amount in the ingredient list is adjusted, not the instructions.

Nutrition Estimate (may vary)

Calories : 141 kcal (7%)Carbohydrates : 17 g (6%)Protein : 13 g (26%)Fat : 2 g (3%)Saturated Fat : 1 g (5%)Trans Fat : 1 gCholesterol : 24 mg (8%)Sodium : 309 mg (13%)Potassium : 432 mg (12%)Fiber : 2 g (8%)Sugar : 3 g (3%)Vitamin A : 3470 IU (69%)Vitamin C : 3 mg (4%)Calcium : 28 mg (3%)Iron : 1 mg (6%)

Editor's Note: Originally published November 20, 2012. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

Molly and Lilly running in the snow.

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  1. Ashley Ayres says

    January 20, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    What seasoning can be used if don't have bay leaf

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      January 20, 2022 at 11:12 pm

      Hi Ashley,
      Welcome to the blog.
      Just skip the bay leaf.
      Dan

  2. Patricia says

    January 12, 2022 at 11:11 am

    I make a similar recipe a lot. A tip is to cook pasta separate and add to each individual serving. Keeps broth from being all soaked up especially if you have leftovers.

    Reply
  3. Lonnie says

    December 17, 2020 at 7:32 am

    5 stars
    I've made this several times over the past year and I always, always forget the bay leaf. In all other soups, I remember. So, I just put this together this morning to eat later and remembered the bay leaf! Yay me!
    I'm wondering if you've ever used different seasonings. I love thyme and in a chicken dish, I love to add poultry seasoning. Would those two things work well in this one? I don't like changing things up unless I know it'll work.
    Thanks for such a simple, wonderful tasting recipe.

    Reply
  4. JOY MARIE GRAY says

    October 26, 2020 at 11:23 pm

    Hello Dr Dan,
    Made this Chicken noodle soup tonight for dinner, I loved that the recipe was so easy and I did follow it exactly. But after four hours and 10 minutes we served our dinner and the carrots were hard and the celery was semi-hard, we still enjoyed the flavor thank you for the recipe

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      October 27, 2020 at 12:41 am

      Hi Joy,

      Welcome to the blog.

      A couple of things about the veggies not being done. Thinner cooks faster so cut thinner may help. Second, there is some variability in crock pots so you may want to check the veggies for tenderness before adding the noodles and cook a bit longer is needed.

      Dan

  5. Katlynn says

    February 19, 2020 at 5:26 pm

    I followed the recipe exactly and my noddles are mushy. Any tips?

    Reply
    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      February 19, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      Hi Katlynn,
      Welcome to the blog.

      Sorry, you are having an issue. About the only variables it could be is the type of pasta and the crock pot. Some pasta may cook faster although it has never happened to me. Also, if your crock pot runs hot, it would cook faster. So if that is the pasta you are going to use, do a quick test of the pasta every 20 minutes or so after you add it.

      Dan

    • Amber says

      December 26, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      2 stars
      Wish I would of cooked the noodles separately. It's mushy๐Ÿ˜ฌ

  6. Sharon says

    January 28, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    If you double the recipe, how long do you think it should cook for? Thank you!

    Reply
    • DrDan says

      January 28, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      Hi Sharon,
      Welcome to the blog.
      Cooking time remains the same. I use a 3.5 qt crock pot for the single version but if you double, use at least a 6 qt crock pot.
      Dan

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