One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl: satisfying, silky egg noodles coated in buttery parmesan, juicy bites of chicken, and a breeze to make thanks to its all-in-one-pan magic. With just a handful of pantry staples and hardly any cleanup, you get a warm, satisfying meal that calls everyone to the table—perfect for busy evenings or whenever you crave something simple but truly comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of straightforward ingredients for this dish, each one working together to create a balanced, savory skillet supper. Every element brings its own charm: rich chicken, golden noodles, creamy butter, and the essential pop of parmesan. Here’s your star lineup:
- Chicken breasts or thighs: Choose boneless, skinless for effortless slicing and tender bites in every forkful.
- Olive oil: Adds a well-rounded richness and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Brings mellow, comforting background flavor that infuses the whole pan.
- Onion powder: Boosts savory depth without any chopping required.
- Italian seasoning: Lends a fragrant blend of herbs for classic homestyle charm.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning every layer of the dish—don’t skimp!
- Black pepper: A little freshly ground pepper wakes up all the flavors.
- Egg noodles: The star vehicle for the creamy sauce; opt for wide egg noodles for luxurious texture.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Creates a flavorful base and keeps everything tender and juicy.
- Water: Helps the noodles cook evenly and balances out the richness.
- Unsalted butter: Melts in at the end for a silky, luscious finish.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth and binds the sauce together.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Sprinkled on top for color and a burst of freshness.
How to Make One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating up your olive oil in a roomy skillet or straight-sided sauté pan. Toss in the chicken pieces and let them get a little golden around the edges, adding the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper as you stir. This first step lays the flavor foundation that makes One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles taste so cozy and layered—give the chicken enough time to brown, but don’t worry about cooking it through just yet.
Step 2: Simmer the Noodles
Once the chicken has those beautiful caramelized spots, scatter the uncooked egg noodles right over the top. Add in the chicken broth and water, stirring so everything settles into a snug, saucy snuggle. Bring the whole pan to a gentle boil, then turn the heat down, cover, and let the noodles get tender and glossy as they soak up all the goodness—about 10 to 12 minutes does the trick. Stir a couple of times along the way to catch any bits on the bottom and ensure every noodle cooks evenly.
Step 3: Make it Creamy
Now for the best part: remove the pan from the heat, immediately add the butter and grated Parmesan, and stir until everything turns creamy, shiny, and irresistible. The hot noodles will melt the butter and cheese into a velvety sauce that softly coats every bite of chicken and noodle. Sneak a taste here—adjust the salt or add another grinding of black pepper if you like.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
For the perfect final touch, sprinkle your One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles with chopped fresh parsley if you have it, then serve up the warm, saucy goodness right from the pan. Each portion gets a little glossy tangle of noodles, savory chicken, and a dusting of green for brightness.
How to Serve One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Garnishes
A finishing touch really elevates this homestyle meal. Go all-in with a generous shower of fresh parsley for color and herbal pop, or try a little extra parmesan for an ultra-savory topping. If you’re feeling extra, a twist of lemon zest over the pan before serving can add lovely brightness to balance the butteriness.
Side Dishes
One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles is a meal on its own, but it loves company. Serve it with a crisp side salad, garlic bread to mop up every last drop, or a simple plate of steamed green beans. If you’re in the mood for something richer, invite roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach, or even a sweet, tangy slaw to play alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your family or guests, spoon the noodles and chicken into individual shallow bowls with a swirl, then top with herbs and parmesan. For a potluck or casual dinner, serve it right from the pan at the table for that crowd-pleasing, rustic charm. This dish also makes fantastic leftovers—tuck it into meal prep containers for cozy lunches all week.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any extra One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles cool completely before transferring it into airtight containers. It will keep well in the fridge for up to three days, staying creamy and tasty for quick lunches or easy dinners. Just be sure to give it a good stir when reheating to redistribute the sauce.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze portions for later, cool the dish fully first. Pack individual servings into airtight, freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. The noodles may soak up some sauce during freezing, but the flavors remain spot-on. Freeze for up to two months for a quick, comforting meal on demand.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth as needed to loosen up the sauce. The butter and cheese help it come back together silkily. Stir well and heat until warmed through—just a minute or two should be plenty.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While egg noodles make this dish extra luscious, you can swap in other pasta shapes like rotini or penne. Adjust the cooking time and add a splash more broth if needed for different pasta types.
What’s the best chicken cut for this recipe?
Both boneless, skinless breasts and thighs work perfectly. Thighs are juicier and slightly more forgiving if you tend to overcook, while breasts are leaner and cook up quickly. Go with your favorite or what you have on hand.
Can I add vegetables to One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles?
Yes! Stir in frozen peas, spinach, or even halved cherry tomatoes in the last few minutes of cooking. They’ll add a pop of color and nutrients without extra pans.
How do I make it even creamier?
For an ultra-creamy sauce, add a splash of cream or another tablespoon of butter when you toss in the Parmesan. The result is extra decadent and totally luxurious.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You can swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative and either leave out the Parmesan or use your favorite dairy-free cheese. The result will still be comforting and flavorful!
Final Thoughts
If you need a dinner that’s truly comforting but easy enough for any weeknight, One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles is your answer. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone running to the kitchen, and with just one pan to clean, it’s a win in every way. I hope you give it a try and find yourself coming back to it again and again!
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
This One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken pieces are cooked with flavorful seasonings and combined with buttery Parmesan noodles in one pan for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Noodles:
- 8 ounces egg noodles (uncooked)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan. Add the chicken pieces and season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned and mostly cooked through.
- Prepare the Noodles: Add uncooked egg noodles to the pan, then pour in chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until noodles are tender.
- Finish the Dish: Remove from heat and stir in butter and Parmesan cheese until creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- For extra richness, consider adding cream or more butter.
- Frozen peas or spinach make great additions for added nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
