If you love hearty comfort food that’s a breeze to clean up, One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles will quickly become your go-to weeknight dinner. This dish features juicy, flavorful chicken breasts nestled in a golden tangle of buttery noodles, all cooked together in a single skillet for maximum flavor and minimum hassle. Every forkful offers a little bit of creamy, savory magic with fragrant fresh parsley and, if you like, a dusting of Parmesan. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, impressing guests, or just craving something soul-satisfying, this One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles delivers big on ease and taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This meal comes together with simple, pantry-friendly staples, but each ingredient has a special job: seasoning the chicken, adding richness to the noodles, building a full, classic flavor. Grab these essentials and see how magic happens with just a few smart choices!
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): For searing the chicken and adding fruitiness and depth right from the start.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (4): The star protein; cooks up juicy and soaks up those savory spices.
- Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon): An easy way to add big, aromatic flavor to every bite.
- Onion Powder (1 teaspoon): Brings just the right amount of sweetness and warmth to the seasoning.
- Paprika (1 teaspoon): For a gentle smokiness and color that makes the chicken irresistible.
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste): Simple essentials for balancing and popping all the other flavors.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (3 cups): Provides the cooking liquid for the noodles and infuses them with savory richness.
- Egg Noodles (8 ounces, uncooked): Tender, classic noodles that soak up all those delicious flavors.
- Unsalted Butter (3 tablespoons): Makes the noodles gloriously rich and glossy, embodying that “buttered noodles” magic.
- Fresh Parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): For a punch of color and freshness in every serving.
- Parmesan Cheese (1/4 cup, grated, optional): Adds a finishing touch of salty, nutty indulgence if you like.
How to Make One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Heat up your olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. While the oil shimmers, season your chicken breasts generously with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the pan and let it develop a deep golden crust—about 5–6 minutes per side. This gives the chicken serious flavor and sets the tone for the whole dish. Once cooked through, move the chicken to a plate and keep it warm.
Step 2: Build the Noodle Base
Without washing the pan (because all those tasty bits count!), pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Stir in your uncooked egg noodles, cover the skillet, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Every so often, give the noodles a stir to make sure they don’t clump. After about 8–10 minutes, the noodles will be tender and most of the broth will be absorbed.
Step 3: Butter Up the Noodles
Add the butter straight into the hot noodles and stir until every strand is coated and glossy. That signature buttery goodness turns the noodles silky and delicious. This is where One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles earns its name!
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Nestle the chicken back into the pan, spooning some of the buttery noodles over the top so every piece gets coated. Sprinkle chopped parsley all over for a fresh, herbal lift. If you want a little extra decadence, shower the whole pan with grated Parmesan cheese before serving everything hot and fresh.
How to Serve One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Garnishes
A finishing sprinkle of bright fresh parsley really pops against the savory noodles and caramelized chicken. Grated Parmesan is totally optional, but it’s hard to resist the cheesy, nutty lift it gives to every forkful of One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles. For an extra special touch, a squeeze of lemon right before serving brings even more vibrance!
Side Dishes
This dish is so complete, you hardly need much on the side! A simple green salad with a crisp vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly. Steamed or sautéed veggies—like green beans, spinach, or peas—make excellent accompaniments, adding color and gentle bite alongside the creamy noodles. Warm crusty bread is always nice to mop up the extra buttery sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For family dinners, serve straight from the skillet in the middle of the table. For a more elegant look, slice the chicken and fan it over the noodles on a platter, scattering herbs and lots of Parmesan. For kids’ plates, you can cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss directly with the noodles for easy eating—One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles works beautifully, no matter how you serve it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer cooled leftovers into a sealed container and pop it in the fridge. Your One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles will stay fresh for up to three days, making this a perfect make-ahead lunch or dinner.
Freezing
You can freeze portions in airtight containers for up to two months if you wish. For best texture, freeze the chicken and noodles separately if possible, as this keeps the noodles from getting too soft once thawed.
Reheating
To avoid drying out the chicken, reheat covered in a skillet with a splash of extra broth or water, gently stirring until everything is hot. The microwave works fine for quick lunches, but cover the dish with a damp paper towel to keep those noodles from getting rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs are just as delicious and even a bit juicier. Just adjust the cooking time slightly—thighs might need an extra couple of minutes to cook through.
Do I need to cook the noodles separately?
No need! The egg noodles are cooked directly in the chicken broth in the same pan, which infuses them with extra flavor and keeps the cleanup simple.
Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, you can use your favorite gluten-free egg noodles and ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free. The results will be just as tasty and comforting.
What vegetables can I add to One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles?
Feel free to toss in a handful of spinach, peas, or even chopped broccoli in the last few minutes of cooking the noodles. These add color, nutrition, and extra freshness.
Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken?
Definitely! If time is tight, simply shred or slice cooked chicken and add it right at the end before serving. Let it heat through in the hot noodles for a super fast version of One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles.
Final Thoughts
One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles is just the kind of cozy, fuss-free meal everyone needs in their back pocket. The flavors are classic, the steps are simple, and the cleanup is a dream. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!
Print
One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and easy one-pan chicken recipe with buttered noodles that is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner. Juicy chicken breasts cooked to perfection with flavorful seasonings served alongside buttery egg noodles.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt and black pepper to taste
For the Noodles:
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 8 ounces egg noodles (uncooked), 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Add chicken broth to the same pan and bring to a boil. Stir in uncooked egg noodles, cover, and simmer for 8–10 minutes until tender. Stir in butter until melted. Return chicken to the pan and top with noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by searing chicken with lemon juice.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- Add spinach or peas for extra veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with noodles
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
