High-Protein Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup

This high-protein crockpot chicken noodle soup turns a handful of pantry staples into the classic comfort food everyone knows, built around shredded chicken breast instead of the usual small scraps of meat. It’s part of our high-protein crockpot meal prep collection, with about 24 grams of protein per bowl and only 15 minutes of hands-on prep before the slow cooker does the rest.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This crockpot chicken noodle soup is loaded with real shredded chicken breast instead of just a few bites of meat.
• About 24 grams of protein per bowl, with the crockpot doing almost all of the work.
• Just 15 minutes of hands-on prep before you walk away for hours.
• Freezes well, so it’s an easy soup to batch for meal prep.

Ingredients Overview

This crockpot chicken noodle soup starts with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that cook whole in the broth with carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, then get shredded and returned to the pot once tender. Egg noodles go in near the end of cooking so they don’t turn mushy over several hours in the crockpot.

Chicken breast is one of the most efficient lean protein sources available, according to the USDA FoodData Central database, which is part of why it works so well as the base for a high-protein crockpot chicken noodle soup like this one.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making this crockpot chicken noodle soup is mostly hands-off: the only active steps are shredding the chicken and adding the noodles near the end. Follow these six steps for a soup with tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles.

1. Add the chicken breasts, broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf to the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
3. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the crockpot.
4. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the egg noodles.
5. Cover and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and top with fresh parsley before serving.

Meal Prep & Storage Tips

This crockpot chicken noodle soup keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months — though noodles can turn soft after freezing, so for the best texture, consider freezing the broth and chicken mixture without the noodles and cooking fresh noodles in the soup once it’s reheated.

Variations & Substitutions

There are a few easy ways to switch up this crockpot chicken noodle soup: swap the egg noodles for whole wheat noodles or a gluten-free pasta if you prefer. For a lower-carb version, skip the noodles entirely and add extra vegetables, like diced zucchini or cauliflower rice, instead. Boneless chicken thighs work in place of chicken breasts for a richer flavor, though the protein count will be slightly lower.

FAQ

Can I add the noodles at the start instead of the end?

It’s not recommended. Noodles added at the beginning of a long cook time tend to turn mushy and soak up too much broth, so it’s best to stir them in during the last 15-20 minutes instead.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?

Yes. Skip the initial cooking step for the chicken, simmer the broth and vegetables until the vegetables are tender, then stir in shredded rotisserie chicken along with the noodles near the end.

Can I double this crockpot chicken noodle soup recipe?

Yes, every ingredient doubles cleanly, though you’ll want to check that your crockpot is large enough to hold the extra volume of broth and vegetables comfortably.

How long does this soup last in the fridge?

This crockpot chicken noodle soup stays fresh for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

This high-protein crockpot chicken noodle soup proves that the classic comfort food can also be a genuinely protein-packed meal. Keep a batch in the fridge or freezer for a warming bowl whenever you need one. Sign up for our newsletter for more quick, protein-packed crockpot ideas delivered straight to your inbox.

You Might Also Like:

• Crockpot Beef & Lentil Soup — a hearty, iron-rich soup that simmers low and slow.
• Protein-Packed Crockpot Minestrone with Chicken Sausage — a vegetable-packed Italian soup with chicken sausage.
• High-Protein Crockpot Potato Soup — a creamy, loaded potato soup with cottage cheese stirred in for protein.