An even better version of a beloved childhood classic dinner! This Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Casserole is comfort food at its best, my version leaves out the canned soup and by using the slow cooker you save time making this the perfect weeknight meal! More time for making memories around the table!
Let’s talk about the food of our childhoods today. Our family almost always ate dinner together around the table and I think that was such an important thing growing up. Life gets a little crazier now days and people are running in different directions more often than not. But I still think dinner together as a family, no matter if your family is big or small, is time to be valued. If you think back to those times as a kid I bet many of you can remember not only the time spent together but also the meals that were eaten. That’s truly what food is all about to me, creating those memories, and in some cases bringing back old memories like the casseroles my mom used to make.
Did your Mom or Dad make tuna noodle casserole when you were growing up? Looking back I am sure it was a go-to for my Mom because it was such an easy recipe, but as kids we all loved it! Most likely because she always topped it off with crushed chips and hey, what kid doesn’t want chips for dinner?
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Who says comfort food requires spending all day in the kitchen or using a ton of ingredients? Not my Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Casserole!
- When I recreated this comfort food for my kids I went with chicken instead of the traditional tuna. However, the beauty of this recipe is you can customize and make it your own!
- Most Chicken Noodle Casseroles or Tuna Noodle Casseroles call for chicken or mushroom soup, however, I left out the canned soup and made a super simple but absolutely delicious sour cream sauce.
- Instead of watching over an oven for this casserole to bake, I used my casserole slow cooker for this recipe! I love mine and use it for so many family favorite meals!
I truly love how the slow cooker lets me put together a meal like this with so little work so that even when busy, we still have time for a wholesome dinner. If you think the family dinner is a thing of the past, I encourage you to find some simple recipes like this chicken noodle casserole. Use the time saved sitting, chatting, eating and making memories!
Need more slow cooker ideas for comfort food like this Chicken Noodle Casserole? Try these!
An even better version of a beloved childhood classic dinner! This Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Casserole is comfort food at its best, my version leaves out the canned soup and by using the slow cooker you save time making this the perfect weeknight meal! More time for making memories around the table!
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs will work
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 12 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 cup crushed potato chips I used parmesan kettle chips
- 4 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Add chicken, broth and Italian seasoning to slow cooker
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8
Remove cover and shred chicken with forks
Stir in sour cream and then add spaghetti noodles, breaking apart if needed to fit
Press noodles into broth to allow them to cook, cover and return slow cooker to high heat for about 30 minutes or until noodles are done (stir noodles once or twice to ensure they cook evenly)
Add cheese on top of cooked noodles and top it off with crushed chips
Cover again for just a few more minutes until cheese is melted
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Sheila says
February 6, 2019 at 5:21 amWas wondering if egg noodles would work in this recipe? I usually like this kind when making chicken noodle casserole?
Jennifer says
February 6, 2019 at 7:24 amI haven’t tested it but I think dried egg noodles would work fine. They may need a little more cooking time, so just keep an eye on it.
Rebecca Evans says
December 2, 2018 at 6:57 pmEnjoyed this!! I used Fritos for chips and they were great. Also, when reheating i added a few drops of chicken broth and covered with a damp paper towel. Makes it so much more tender.
Kristen says
December 1, 2017 at 8:59 pmI made this this afternoon. I followed your directions and it’s horrible. I was so excited to use my new slow cooker casserole. This is a terrible recipe.
Jennifer says
December 1, 2017 at 9:29 pmHi Kristen! I always truly appreciate feedback from those that have made my recipes. I occasionally make adjustments to recipes when a reader finds an issue and I’d love to know more about what went wrong for you? Is there something specific that deems this as “horrible”? What, in your experience, makes this recipe “terrible” in comparison to similar recipes you like? Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your helpful feedback!!
Tonja says
July 6, 2017 at 8:12 amWhere can I get the free freezer slow-cooker book? I don’t see where to put my email.
Thanks!
Jennifer says
July 7, 2017 at 7:41 amHi Tonja! Just click on the “Subscribe to Email” button on the right side, right under the pic of the ebook! If you can’t get it, let me know and I can get you added.
Jeanne says
April 5, 2017 at 3:29 pmCan Greek yogurt be substituted for sour cream?
Jennifer says
April 9, 2017 at 8:02 amI haven’t tried it, but I think it should work!!
Pamela says
January 14, 2017 at 3:16 pmSound great! Thank you! I understand the convenience of one pot, but I wonder if you’ve thought of (or ever tried) cooking the spaghetti first, then just stirring it in with the sour cream? If I take only 10 minutes to cook the noodles while I shred the chicken when I get home from work, I get to eat 20 minutes sooner. I’m guessing the noodles will be more flavorful your way as they absorb the broth, but any comments??
Jennifer says
January 15, 2017 at 12:46 pmHi Pamela! Yes, this was basically designed to be a little more hands off and one pot but you could totally cook the noodles separate. You would need to drain off a good portion of the broth before adding the noodles, however, as much of the broth is intended to absorb into the raw noodles. Otherwise, it should work out just fine! 🙂
Mary says
September 29, 2016 at 6:05 pmThis looks pretty awesome and will be trying…Can you use a different of pasta besides spaghetti?? Maybe bow tie pasta…Maybe it is just me , but sometimes spaghetti can be a bit much….Thank you…
Jennifer says
September 30, 2016 at 9:19 amMary, I think that would work just fine!!
Tanya says
March 18, 2016 at 11:10 amThis sounds great! There seems to be a flaw in the written instructions though. You say” add cheese and top with shredded cheese” . Shouldn’t that be “add potato chips and top with shredded cheese” ?
Jennifer says
March 19, 2016 at 9:19 pmoops! Thanks! fixed 🙂
Stacie Hart says
December 8, 2015 at 11:15 amI have cancer so it’s easier to do slow cooker meals
Jennifer says
December 8, 2015 at 12:50 pmI’m sorry to hear that Stacie. If you haven’t seen it yet, I have a free e-book of make-ahead freezer meals for the slow cooker that you might really like also. That way you have some meals ready to go for days when you have appointments. Just put in your e-mail address and you will get the PDF to download. Sending positive thoughts your way!!!
Teri Giese says
December 5, 2015 at 3:46 pmSo excited! Recently bought myself the casserole slow cooker, and it is sooo awesome. Agree about the tuna thing. Picked it out as well. Never thought of making a chicken noodle casserole. DUH! YOU ARE SO CLEVER! Thanks for the recipes!
Jennifer says
December 6, 2015 at 7:02 pmHi Teri!! Yay, I’m not alone on the tuna thing 😉 Enjoy your casserole slow cooker!! I use mine so much and have so far been very impressed with how well it cooks.