01 -
Okay, first things first, chop up your carrots, celery, and onion. Don't worry about perfect cuts; they'll soften beautifully. Toss them into your trusty crockpot. Add the minced garlic right over the top. I love how the kitchen already starts to smell promising at this stage, even before cooking! This initial step is key for building the flavor base of your creamy chicken noodle soup crockpot. Honestly, sometimes I just dump everything in, but taking a minute here makes a difference.
02 -
Now, nestle those boneless, skinless chicken breasts right on top of the veggies. Pour in all that good chicken broth until the chicken is mostly submerged. Don't forget to season with a pinch of salt and pepper here; a little seasoning now goes a long way! I once forgot the salt entirely and had to adjust heavily at the end, which is a pain. This is crucial for your creamy chicken noodle soup crockpot to taste amazing.
03 -
Pop in your dried thyme, rosemary, and that bay leaf. Give it a gentle stir, just to make sure everything's mingling nicely. Cover your crockpot and set it to low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. Go live your life! The smells that will start to waft through your house are just incredible. This is the beauty of a creamy chicken noodle soup crockpot—letting it do its thing.
04 -
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken breasts. They should be super tender and easy to shred with two forks. Don't worry if they fall apart a bit; that's exactly what you want! Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot. I always sneak a little taste of the chicken at this point, just to make sure it's perfect, you know? It’s almost ready to be a full creamy chicken noodle soup crockpot.
05 -
Now for the noodles! Add them to the crockpot. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and cornstarch (if using). Pour this creamy mixture into the crockpot and stir it all together. Let it cook on high for another 20-30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the soup has thickened slightly. This is where your creamy chicken noodle soup crockpot truly transforms!
06 -
Remove the bay leaf (important, don't eat that!). Taste and adjust seasonings—you might need a little more salt or pepper. Stir in that fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Ladle your warm, comforting creamy chicken noodle soup crockpot into bowls. It should be thick, rich, and utterly irresistible. Garnish with a little extra parsley, and maybe a squeeze of lemon if you're feeling fancy. Enjoy!