One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles — Comfort Food Made Easy!
Ever find yourself dreaming of something warm, comforting, and hearty after a busy weekday, yet dreading the piles of dishes afterwards? Friend, you are not alone! In my kitchen, my mom’s easy weeknight dinners were the stuff of legend. Fast forward to my cooking adventures today—I always try to recreate that magic. A fan-favorite dish that checks all these boxes every time? You guessed it—one-pan chicken with buttered garlic noodles.
This cozy meal instantly whisks me back to my mom’s vintage kitchen. I can still hear the sizzling skillet and smell the buttery goodness floating through the house. Mom created joyful food memories in simplicity—no fancy appliances or culinary tricks—just good, hearty ingredients, a big skillet, and lots of love.
Today, I want to pass on that joyful comfort-food recipe to you. With tender and juicy chicken nestled atop perfectly cooked garlic-infused buttery noodles, this dish is hearty yet delightfully easy. Best of all, it’s cooked entirely in one pan, meaning fewer dishes, more fun, and maximum flavor. Honestly, it’s a hug in a skillet!
Ready to fall in love? Let’s dive in!
🍗 One-Pan Chicken and Buttered Noodles: Your Ultimate Comfort Meal
This simple, cozy dinner comes together quickly, making mid-week mealtime a lot tastier and stress-free. Perfectly seasoned chicken breasts or thighs get nestled into garlicky, buttery egg noodles, absorbing so much flavor in every heavenly bite.
Let’s whip this tasty dish together!
👩🍳 What You’ll Need (Serves 4)
For the Chicken:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tbsp unsalted butter
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1/2 tsp paprika
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Buttered Garlic Noodles:
– 8 oz (225 g) egg noodles, or your favorite pasta
– 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
– 1 cup (240 ml) water
– 3 tbsp unsalted butter
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
🥘 Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow along for a stress-free dinner with mega cozy vibes!
Step 1: Season that Chicken!
First things first, let’s give your chicken some flavor TLC. Season each piece generously on both sides using garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Sear and Sizzle!
In a large skillet (cast-iron or stainless steel preferred for delicious browning action), heat your olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add seasoned chicken pieces. Cook for about 4–5 minutes per side until they’re beautifully golden brown and fully cooked inside (165°F on a meat thermometer). Take chicken out of the skillet and set aside on a plate for now.
Chef’s note: Golden brown crust = maximum flavor, friends!
Step 3: Let’s Talk Noodles!
Don’t clean out your skillet—we want all those yummy browned bits! Instead, pour in your chicken broth and water. Bring it up to a gentle boil, scraping up those delicious bits on the bottom for extraordinary flavor.
Time to toss in your noodles. Stir regularly, cooking according to package directions until most of the flavorful liquid is absorbed. We’ll end up with tender noodles that are deeply infused with chicken broth goodness.
Step 4: Garlic and Butter Magic!
Lower skillet heat to low-medium. Stir in 3 tbsp of unsalted butter and minced garlic. Give it a good sauté for about 1–2 minutes until your kitchen fills with that mouth-watering, buttery garlic aroma.
Step 5: The Delicious Reunion
Nestle your flavorful chicken pieces back into that pan of buttery pasta goodness. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese and a pop of freshness from chopped parsley. Dinner is served!
🍽️ Fun Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This cozy meal stands beautifully on its own, but here are some tasty sides and goodies to round it out:
– Add some sautéed veggies (spinach, peas, asparagus, mushrooms or broccoli all work wonders).
– A crunchy green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette goes beautifully alongside.
– Warm, crusty bread to soak up all those buttery juices? Oh YES.
– A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, if you like a kick of spice.
🎩 My Chef-Pro Tips
Before you run away to your kitchen, here are a few chef-approved tips to elevate your cooking:
1. Choose chicken thighs if you’re craving extra flavor and juiciness–they’re foolproof because they remain tender even if slightly overcooked.
2. Want extra bite? Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs or crushed garlic croutons on top before serving!
3. Turn leftovers into lunch! Chop the chicken and noodles, toss with extra veggies, drizzle with broth, and warm gently for a comfort-filled lunch treat the next day.
📚 Nutritional Info (Per serving)
– Calories: ~480 kcal
– Protein: ~33 g
– Carbohydrates: ~36 g
– Fats: ~21 g
– Fiber: ~1.5 g
(Note: figures may vary slightly depending on specific ingredients.)
🛒 Storage Tips:
Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a small splash of chicken broth (or water) to retain moisture and keep everything saucy.
🥰 Cozy Final Thoughts:
There’s something incredibly special about dishes that transport you to another time, warm up your heart, and satisfy your appetite at once. I hope this easy, simple-to-follow one-pan dinner fills your table with joy, comfort, and lots of smiles, like it always has for mine. After all, great food doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs simple, fresh ingredients and a whole lot of love.
Happy cooking, friends!