In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter until completely liquid but not browned. Stir in the minced garlic so it’s evenly distributed in the butter.
Melted butter and garlic in a small bowl
Melted butter and garlic in a small bowl
Slowly pour the melted garlic butter evenly over the raw diced chicken in the slow cooker, making sure all the chicken gets a good drizzle. This first step seasons the chicken and gives it that rich Amish-style butter flavor.
Garlic butter being poured over chicken in the slow cooker
Garlic butter being poured over chicken in the slow cooker
Pour the chicken broth over the buttered chicken. Gently stir just enough to tuck all the chicken down into the liquid while keeping most of the butter and garlic mingled throughout.
Chicken and broth mixed together in the slow cooker
Chicken and broth mixed together in the slow cooker
Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or on HIGH for about 2–2 1/2 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through. Give it a gentle stir once or twice during cooking if you’re nearby.
Slow cooker simmering on the counter during cooking
Slow cooker simmering on the counter during cooking
When the chicken is done, remove the lid and taste the broth, adding a pinch of salt and black pepper if you like, keeping in mind the simple, mild Amish-style seasoning.
Cooked chicken in buttery broth after slow cooking
Cooked chicken in buttery broth after slow cooking
Stir in the uncooked egg noodles, pressing them down into the hot broth and chicken so they’re mostly submerged. If the noodles aren’t quite covered, you can add a splash more broth or water.
Egg noodles added to the slow cooker broth
Egg noodles added to the slow cooker broth
Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for 20–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the egg noodles are tender but not mushy and have soaked up some of the buttery garlic broth.
Noodles softening in the buttery broth
Noodles softening in the buttery broth
Once the noodles are cooked to your liking, give everything a final gentle stir, breaking up any clumps of noodles and making sure the chicken, butter, and noodles are well combined. Serve hot, straight from the slow cooker, while the noodles are still soft and the broth is silky.
Finished garlic butter chicken noodles ready to serve
Finished garlic butter chicken noodles ready to serve
Variations & Tips
For a creamier version, stir in 1/2 to 1 cup of sour cream or a can of cream of chicken soup after the chicken is cooked and before adding the noodles; let it warm through, then add the noodles as directed. If you prefer dark meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs stay especially tender and forgiving in the slow cooker.
To stretch the meal for a larger family, add an extra cup of broth and a few more ounces of noodles, checking the liquid level as they cook. For a little more Amish-style heartiness, toss in a cup of frozen peas or diced carrots during the last 30 minutes of cooking, along with the noodles.
Creamy variation of chicken noodles with peas
Creamy variation of chicken noodles with peas
You can also season the broth with a teaspoon of dried parsley or thyme for a gentle herbal note without straying far from its simple roots. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of extra broth or water to loosen the noodles, and the flavors deepen by the next day.