One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
A quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender, juicy chicken cooked alongside buttery egg noodles in a creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this family-friendly dish combines rich flavors, minimal cleanup, and simple ingredients for a satisfying and balanced dinner.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Not Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Noodles & Dairy
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
Flavorings & Liquids
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or other fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary)
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter if needed. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to build the base flavor.
- Cook the Noodles: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Add the egg noodles directly to the pan, stirring to prevent sticking. Let the noodles cook until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add Cream and Return Chicken: When the noodles are almost tender, stir in the heavy cream or milk to create a creamy sauce. Place the cooked chicken back on top of the noodles, cover the pan, and let it cook together for a few more minutes to combine the flavors.
- Finish and Garnish: Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or your choice of herbs over the dish. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken to get a nice golden crust.
- Watch the noodles carefully to avoid overcooking; they should be tender but still firm.
- Sauté garlic just until fragrant to prevent bitterness and maximize aroma.
- Allow the dish to rest covered for a couple of minutes after cooking to deepen flavor absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: one-pan chicken, buttered noodles, quick dinner, family-friendly, creamy chicken, easy weeknight meal, skillet recipe