If you’re craving comfort food that’s easy to whip up but feels special enough for any night of the week, this One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts perfectly seasoned and cooked right alongside velvety egg noodles bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce—all made in one skillet for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. It’s an all-in-one meal that combines simplicity, cozy textures, and fresh herbs to deliver pure satisfaction in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, coming together to create an incredibly flavorful and balanced dish. From the aromatic garlic to the rich butter, each component brings something unique to the pan, ensuring every forkful is a delight.
- Chicken breasts: The star protein, providing tender and juicy meat that soaks up all the seasoning.
- Egg noodles: These soft, wide noodles hold the garlic butter sauce beautifully, giving you that perfect buttery texture.
- Butter (4 tablespoons): Adds richness and a silky mouthfeel that coats the chicken and noodles.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Brings a fragrant, savory punch that wakes up the entire dish.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, making everything taste balanced and delicious.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Offers a gentle warmth and slight kick to the chicken.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A lovely blend of herbs that adds a Mediterranean flair.
- Chicken broth (1 cup): Provides the liquid needed to cook the noodles and infuses savory depth into the sauce.
- Parsley for garnish: A fresh, green touch that brightens up the final presentation.
How to Make One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Melt the butter and prep the pan
Start by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. This creates a rich base to cook your chicken and build layers of flavor right in the same pan.
Step 2: Season the chicken
While the butter is melting, generously season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. This seasoning combo ensures each bite of chicken is bursting with flavor that complements the noodles perfectly.
Step 3: Cook the chicken to juicy perfection
Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side. You want the chicken to develop a golden, slightly crispy exterior while staying tender and juicy inside. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
Step 4: Simmer the broth
Pour the chicken broth into the same skillet you used for the chicken. Bringing it quickly to a simmer will help lift all those pan drippings, creating a flavorful base for the noodles to cook in.
Step 5: Cook the egg noodles
Add the egg noodles directly into the simmering broth and cook according to the package instructions until they’re tender. Cooking the noodles in broth rather than water infuses them with extra savory goodness.
Step 6: Stir in garlic and butter
In the last minute of the noodles’ cooking time, toss in the minced garlic and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir everything together until the butter melts and the garlic releases its irresistible aroma, creating that signature buttery, garlicky coating on the noodles.
Step 7: Serve with sliced chicken and garnish
Slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange them on top of the buttered noodles. Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley over the dish to add a pop of color and a refreshing herbaceous note that balances the richness.
How to Serve One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is simple but essential as a garnish here—it adds a vibrant green touch that brightens up the plate visually and adds a subtle freshness to each bite. You can also consider a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if you want an extra layer of savory richness.
Side Dishes
This one-pan meal is wonderfully satisfying on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, light and crisp sides like a mixed green salad or steamed broccoli provide a nice textural contrast and fresh flavor. Roasted vegetables also pair beautifully and complement the garlic butter sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party or weekend family meal, serve the chicken sliced neatly on a large platter with the buttered noodles underneath. You can drizzle a little extra melted butter and sprinkle additional parsley right before serving. Alternatively, arrange everything in individual bowls for a cozy, rustic vibe that’s perfect for casual dining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after resting, making for a delicious next-day meal.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but because noodles tend to absorb sauce when frozen, it’s best to store the chicken separately from the noodles if possible. Use freezer-safe containers and consume within 2 months for the best quality.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the noodles seem dry. This helps restore the buttered sauce’s creamy texture. Microwaving on medium power also works well to avoid overcooking the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use other types of noodles for this recipe?
Absolutely! While egg noodles are traditional here for their texture and ability to hold the sauce, you can substitute with fettuccine, linguine, or even spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand.
Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, simply swap the egg noodles for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Just make sure to adjust cooking time as gluten-free pasta varies widely.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Chicken thighs would be delicious too! They’re a bit more forgiving and stay juicy. Just adjust cooking time accordingly since thighs might take a bit longer to cook through.
Can I add vegetables to this one-pan meal?
Definitely! Spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes tossed in during the noodle cooking stage can add bright flavors and extra nutrition with minimal effort.
How can I make the buttered noodles more flavorful?
Mix in some grated Parmesan cheese, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a pinch of red pepper flakes right after stirring in the garlic and butter for an extra burst of flavor.
Final Thoughts
This One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe really hits all the right notes when you want something comforting, quick, and utterly delicious. It’s a dish that brings warmth and joy to the dinner table without fuss, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and cozy weekends. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a favorite in your own kitchen too!
Print
One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A simple and delicious one-pan chicken recipe served with buttery garlic egg noodles, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking chicken)
Noodles
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until they are cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Simmer the broth: Pour the chicken broth into the same skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
- Cook the noodles: Add the egg noodles to the simmering broth and cook according to the package instructions until tender, which usually takes about 7-8 minutes.
- Add garlic and butter: In the last minute of the noodles cooking, stir in the minced garlic and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, mixing well to create rich, buttery garlic noodles.
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and serve them over the buttery garlic noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quicker cooking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- You can substitute egg noodles with any pasta of choice.
- If chicken broth is not available, vegetable broth or water with bouillon can be used.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of lemon juice or sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on top.
