Comforting Chicken & Noodles

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Comforting Chicken & Noodles

The slow-cooked, “no-peek” method that turns simple ingredients into a rich, hearty feast.

  • Prep time: 15 minutes

  • Cook time: 6–8 hours (Low) or 3–4 hours (High)

  • Servings: 6–8 people

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.

  • Liquid: 2 cans (10.5 oz each) Cream of Chicken soup + 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth.

  • Seasoning: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried thyme, and black pepper to taste. (Salt sparingly, as canned soup is salty).

  • The “Secret”: ½ cup unsalted butter, sliced into pats.

  • Noodles: 24 oz frozen egg noodles (like Reames brand). These are essential for the thick, homemade texture.

Instructions

  1. Layer: Place the raw chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with your dry seasonings.

  2. Pour: Top the chicken with the two cans of cream of chicken soup (don’t dilute them yet). Pour the chicken broth over the top.

  3. Butter: Place the butter slices on top of the mixture.

  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours.

  5. Shred: Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.

  6. The Noodles: Add the frozen egg noodles. Stir well to ensure they are submerged.

  7. Final Stretch: Cook on High for another 45–60 minutes until noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Tips & Notes

  • The Noodle Choice: Do not use dry pantry noodles; they will turn to mush. Frozen egg noodles are thicker and hold their shape during the slow cooking process.

  • Vegetable Add-ins: If you want some color, add a cup of frozen peas and carrots during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

  • Thinning it Out: If the mixture becomes too thick, splash in an extra half-cup of broth or milk at the very end.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Values are estimates based on 6 servings.

Metric Amount
Calories 520 kcal
Protein 32g
Total Fat 24g
Carbohydrates 44g
Sodium 980mg

Health Benefits

  • High Protein: Helps with muscle repair and keeps you feeling full longer.

  • Immune Support: Chicken contains cysteine, an amino acid that can help thin mucus in the lungs—making this a classic remedy for the common cold.

  • Easy Digestion: Slow-cooked proteins and soft noodles are gentle on the digestive system.

Q&A

Q: Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?A: Absolutely! Skip to step 6, add the shredded chicken, broth, soup, and noodles all at once, and cook on High for about 1 hour until the noodles are done.

Q: Why is my sauce too thin?A: This usually happens if you use dry noodles or too much broth. You can thicken it by mixing 1 tbsp of cornstarch with a splash of cold water and stirring it in for the last 15 minutes.

Q: Can I freeze this?A: It’s best fresh. While you can freeze it, the noodles tend to absorb all the moisture and can become quite soft upon reheating.

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