This Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables Ramen turns simple ramen noodles into a full meal with tender shredded chicken, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, ginger, garlic, and a rich soy-based broth.
The chicken and vegetables cook slowly so the broth has time to develop flavor, while the ramen noodles are added only at the end so they stay tender instead of becoming mushy.
If you enjoy easy crockpot chicken meals, Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken is another simple option to keep in your rotation.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Ramen
This recipe takes two simple packets of ramen and turns them into a large, hearty meal with chicken, vegetables, and a deeply flavored broth.
The broth combines chicken stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
Because the chicken and vegetables cook together for several hours, the broth becomes more rounded and flavorful before the noodles are added.
For another cozy noodle-style dinner, Fettuccine Alfredo offers a completely different creamy pasta option.
Key Ingredients
Chicken
The recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work well.
Chicken thighs give the broth a slightly richer flavor because they contain more fat.
For another slow-cooker chicken dinner, try Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.
Vegetables
Mushrooms, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and fresh ginger add both texture and flavor to the broth.
Broth and Seasonings
Chicken broth forms the base, while soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha, and brown sugar create a savory, tangy, slightly sweet broth.
Ramen Noodles
Use 2 packs of instant ramen noodles and discard the seasoning packets.
The noodles are added only during the final part of cooking so they do not sit in the slow cooker for hours.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use chicken breasts or thighs. Both work well, although thighs create a slightly richer broth.
- Check the chicken temperature. The thickest part should reach 165°F before shredding.
- Add the ramen last. The noodles need far less cooking time than the chicken and vegetables.
- Use extra vegetables if needed. Broccoli, carrots, corn, peas, or green beans can work well.
- Customize the broth carefully. Miso paste, curry paste, peanut butter, or coconut milk can be added as optional variations supported by the source.
If you like easy one-pot chicken recipes, Chicken Sausage White Bean Skillet is another simple family meal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Ramen
1. Build the Broth
Add 1½ lb chicken breasts, 8 oz sliced mushrooms, 1 sliced onion, 1 sliced red bell pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger to the slow cooker.
Pour in 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup soy sauce, ½ cup rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sriracha, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
Gently stir to combine.
2. Slow Cook the Chicken
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.
The vegetables should soften, the broth should become flavorful, and the chicken should be tender and cooked through.
Check the thickest part of the chicken with a thermometer. It should reach 165°F.
The USDA safe temperature chart also lists 165°F as the minimum safe internal temperature for poultry.
3. Shred the Chicken
After about 2 hours and 45 minutes, transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it with two forks.
For another shredded chicken recipe, Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with Pineapple uses the same easy pull-apart texture.
4. Add the Ramen Noodles
Open 2 packs of ramen noodles and discard the seasoning packets.
Add the dry noodle blocks to the slow cooker and gently press them into the hot broth.
5. Return the Chicken
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, cover, and cook for the final 15 minutes.
The noodles should be tender but still hold their shape.
Stir everything together, divide between bowls, and top with sliced green onions or other optional toppings.
If you enjoy crockpot meals with bold seasoning, Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas are another easy option.
Best Vegetables for Chicken Ramen
The source recipe already uses mushrooms, onion, and red bell pepper.
It also specifically suggests using extra vegetables such as:
- Broccoli florets
- Thinly sliced carrots
- Corn
- Peas
- Green beans
These additions work well when you have small amounts of vegetables left in the refrigerator and want to make the ramen more substantial.
For another vegetable-heavy meal, Gluten-Free Minestrone Soup is another good option.
Serving Suggestions
The ramen can be topped with a soy-marinated egg and sesame seeds.
Other toppings supported by the source include lime wedges, jalapeño slices, seaweed, corn, chili oil, and cilantro.
For something fresh alongside the ramen, keep the side simple so it does not compete with the broth.
For another easy chicken meal with vegetables and rice, Gluten-Free Chicken Broccoli Cheddar Rice is a useful dinner option.
You can also try Instant Pot Turkey Vegetable Lasagna Soup when you want another hearty bowl-style meal.
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
For the best texture, store the broth and shredded chicken without the noodles when possible, then cook fresh ramen noodles during reheating.
If everything is already mixed together, the noodles will continue absorbing some broth and become softer over time.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until steaming hot.
If the noodles have absorbed too much broth, add a splash of water or chicken broth.
If you stored only the broth and chicken, bring them to a gentle simmer and add fresh ramen noodles for about 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
Freezing
For the best results, freeze the broth and shredded chicken without the noodles for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat the broth and cook fresh ramen directly in it.
For another freezer-friendly slow-cooker meal, Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice is another hearty option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put ramen in a slow cooker?
Yes, but the noodles should be added near the end of cooking rather than at the beginning.
In this recipe, the ramen noodles are added during the final 15 minutes. Adding them too early would leave them sitting in hot broth for hours and could make them overly soft or mushy.
How do you make chicken ramen in a slow cooker?
Cook the chicken, vegetables, broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic together first.
Once the chicken is cooked through, shred it, add the ramen noodles to the broth, return the shredded chicken, and cook for the final 15 minutes.
Is ramen healthy or junk food?
The source does not classify ramen as healthy or junk food.
This recipe does turn instant ramen into a fuller meal by adding chicken and several vegetables, and it discards the seasoning packets.
What veggies are good in chicken ramen?
The recipe already includes mushrooms, onion, and red bell pepper.
The source also specifically suggests broccoli, thinly sliced carrots, corn, peas, and green beans as additional vegetables.
Is slow cooker ramen healthy?
The source does not make a specific health claim about the recipe.
It does include chicken, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, ginger, and garlic, and the seasoning packets from the ramen are discarded.
What can you not put in a slow cooker?
For this recipe specifically, the important ingredient not to add at the beginning is the ramen noodles.
They should go in only near the end of cooking because they need much less time than the chicken and vegetables.
For another easy slow-cooker dinner, Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is another recipe to save.
PrintSlow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables Ramen
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables Ramen transforms a couple of ramen packs into a big-batch dinner with tender chicken and fresh vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 180 mins
- Total Time: 195 mins
- Yield: 8, 8 servings (1.5 cups each) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 1½ lb. chicken breasts (680g, (2 breasts) $4.00*)
- 8 oz. mushrooms (cleaned and sliced, (227g) $1.94)
- 1 small onion (sliced thinly, (2 cups, 225g) $0.62)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced thinly, (1 cup, 100g) $1.48)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced, (1 Tbsp) $0.12)
- 2 tsp fresh ginger (minced, $0.03)
- 3 cups chicken broth (24 oz., $0.39**)
- 1 cup soy sauce (8 oz., $0.85***)
- ½ cup rice vinegar (4 oz., $0.97)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil ($0.31)
- 1 Tbsp sriracha ($0.14)
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.03)
- 2 packs ramen noodles (discard flavor packets, (3 oz. each), $0.94)
- 2 green onions (sliced, $0.21)
Instructions
- Gather and prepare all ingredients.
- Place the chicken, mushrooms, onions, red bell pepper, garlic, ginger, chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, and brown sugar in the crockpot. Fold all the ingredients together to combine.
- Place the lid on and cook on high for 3 hours.
- After 2 hours and 45 minutes, remove the chicken from the crock pot and place it in a medium-sized bowl. Using two forks, pull the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Open the packs of ramen and discard the flavor packets. Place the ramen noodles in the crockpot and top with the chicken to submerge it in the broth. Continue cooking for the last 15 minutes.
- Turn off the slow cooker, stir everything together, and top the ramen with sliced green onions and your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 253 kcal
- Sodium: 2525 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetables Ramen, slow cooker ramen
