Warm, comforting, and utterly delicious, this Slow Cooker Amish Chicken and Noodles recipe brings traditional heartland cooking to your kitchen with minimal effort. This soul-satisfying dish combines tender shredded chicken with perfectly cooked egg noodles in a rich, creamy broth that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Set-It-And-Forget-It Simplicity: Let your slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day.
- Budget-Friendly Comfort Food: Simple, affordable ingredients create a hearty meal that feeds the whole family.
- Rich and Creamy: The combination of chicken broth, cream soup, and heavy cream creates an irresistibly silky sauce.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt with your favorite vegetables or herbs to make it your own.
- Perfect for Leftovers: This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld.
Ingredients
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts provide the protein foundation. You can also use chicken thighs for more flavor if preferred.
Chicken Broth: Creates the flavorful base for the dish. Use low-sodium if you prefer to control the salt level.
Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds creaminess and depth of flavor to the broth.
Seasonings: Garlic powder and onion powder give this dish classic flavor without the work of chopping fresh aromatics.
Egg Noodles: Traditional wide egg noodles are authentic to Amish cooking and hold up well in the slow cooker.
Butter: Adds richness and a velvety texture to the sauce.
Heavy Cream: Creates that luxurious, silky finish that makes this dish irresistible.
Frozen Peas: Optional but add beautiful color and a sweet pop of flavor.
Variations
- Vegetable Additions: Add diced carrots, celery, or corn for extra nutrients and color.
- Herb Enhancements: Mix in fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, or parsley for an aromatic boost.
- Cheese Please: Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese at the end for an extra indulgent dish.
- Turkey Twist: Substitute turkey breast for chicken to use up Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free egg noodles and ensure your cream soup is gluten-free.
How to Make the Recipe
- Begin by placing your chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken broth over the chicken, making sure it’s nearly submerged.
- Add the cream of chicken soup and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper).
- Cover and cook on low until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
- Add the egg noodles, butter, and heavy cream, then continue cooking until the noodles are tender.
- If using peas, stir them in during the final minutes of cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving your delicious creation.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Check them a few minutes before the recommended cooking time to prevent mushiness.
- Enhance the Broth: For extra flavor, add a chicken bouillon cube or some poultry seasoning.
- Thickness Control: If the sauce is too thick, add more broth. If too thin, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it in.
- Shredding Hack: Use a hand mixer on low speed to quickly shred the chicken right in the slow cooker.
- Storage Container Tip: Cool completely before refrigerating to preserve the texture of the noodles.
How to Serve
Serve this hearty Amish Chicken and Noodles in deep bowls with a side of:
- Fresh, warm bread or dinner rolls for sopping up the delicious sauce
- A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness
- Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives as a colorful garnish
Make Ahead
This recipe is perfect for meal prep and planning:
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve overnight!
Freezer Instructions: Freeze without the noodles for best results. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, reheat, and add freshly cooked noodles.
Reheating Tips: Add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to maintain the creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, but for food safety reasons, thaw it first or increase the cooking time significantly. The USDA recommends not putting frozen chicken directly in a slow cooker as it can spend too long at unsafe temperatures.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
Create a slurry with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with equal parts cold water. Stir this into the hot mixture and let it cook for an additional 15 minutes on high.
Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?
Absolutely! Cook the chicken with broth and seasonings on high pressure for 10 minutes with a natural release. Shred the chicken, then add noodles and cream ingredients and use the sauté function until noodles are tender.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Replace the butter with olive oil, skip the heavy cream, and use a dairy-free cream soup alternative or make a roux with flour and oil to thicken the broth.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Amish Chicken and Noodles recipe brings together the best of comfort food cooking – it’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy families. The slow cooker does most of the work, resulting in tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles swimming in a rich, savory sauce. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or a Sunday family meal, this hearty dish is sure to bring warmth and comfort to your table. Just like traditional Amish cooking, it emphasizes simple ingredients prepared with care – proving that sometimes the most basic recipes create the most memorable meals.
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Slow Cooker Amish Chicken and Noodles
A comforting, hearty dish that brings together tender shredded chicken and soft egg noodles in a rich, creamy broth. This traditional Amish-inspired meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying dinner with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz of egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Base: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. This creates a foundation for your dish, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly while absorbing all the flavors from the broth and seasonings throughout the slow cooking process.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is almost covered. Add the cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. These ingredients create a flavorful cooking liquid that will infuse the chicken with savory notes as it slowly simmers.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded. The slow cooking method allows the chicken to become incredibly tender while developing deep, rich flavors.
- Shred the Chicken: Shred the chicken using two forks, directly in the slow cooker. This step distributes the chicken throughout the dish, allowing each serving to have tender chunks of meat in every bite.
- Add Noodles and Dairy: Stir in the egg noodles, butter, and heavy cream. The addition of butter and cream transforms the broth into a silky, rich sauce that coats the noodles and chicken beautifully.
- Cook the Noodles: Cover and cook on high for an additional 30-40 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked to al dente. The noodles will absorb some of the flavorful broth while cooking to the perfect texture.
- Add Peas and Finish: Stir in the frozen peas, if using, and let them warm through for about 5 minutes. The peas add a pop of color, texture, and subtle sweetness that complements the savory elements of the dish.
- Final Seasoning: Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed, then serve warm. This final taste adjustment ensures your dish has the perfect balance of flavors before serving.
Notes
- For authentic Amish flavor, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley before serving.
- This dish thickens as it cools, so you may want to add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers.
- You can substitute frozen mixed vegetables for the peas for more color and nutrition.
- Homemade egg noodles can be used for a more traditional approach, but may require less cooking time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
