One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles

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Some dinners have a way of bringing everyone to the table without much fuss. This One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles is one of those simple homemade meals that makes an ordinary evening feel a little more comforting. Tender pieces of chicken, soft egg noodles, garlic, and butter come together in a savory broth to create a satisfying dinner using just one skillet.

What makes this recipe especially convenient is that the noodles cook right alongside the chicken. Instead of boiling them in a separate pot, they simmer in chicken broth and soak up all those lovely flavors as they soften. A little garlic, black pepper, dried parsley, and butter bring everything together into a smooth, flavorful dish.

Whether you’re cooking for the family after a busy day or looking for an easy way to use everyday kitchen ingredients, this one-pan dinner is worth keeping in your regular meal rotation. Serve it straight from the skillet with a simple vegetable side, and you’ve got a comforting homemade supper without a sink full of dishes.

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Everything cooks in one pan

The chicken and egg noodles are prepared in the same skillet, which means fewer dishes to wash and less cleanup after dinner.

Simple everyday ingredients

There’s nothing complicated about this recipe. Chicken, egg noodles, butter, garlic, and chicken broth create a delicious meal with familiar pantry and refrigerator staples.

Comforting homemade flavor

The combination of tender chicken, buttery noodles, and savory garlic broth gives this dish the kind of flavor that makes everyone feel at home.

Easy to customize

You can add mushrooms, peas, carrots, or your favorite herbs to make the meal a little different each time.

Perfect for busy evenings

With straightforward preparation and a relatively short cooking time, this recipe is a practical choice when you want a warm homemade dinner without spending the whole evening in the kitchen.

 

Recipe Details

  • Recipe Name: One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles
  • Servings: 4–6
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
  • Total Time: Approximately 40 minutes
  • Course: Main Course, Dinner
  • Cuisine: American
  • Cooking Method: Stovetop, One-Pan Cooking

 

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces wide egg noodles
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, optional for serving
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional

 

Directions

Step 1: Prepare and season the chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized, bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels, then season with salt, black pepper, and onion powder.

Try to keep the chicken pieces close in size so they cook evenly and are easy to serve with the noodles.

Step 2: Brown the chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.

Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the outside is lightly golden. The chicken doesn’t need to be completely cooked at this stage because it will finish cooking later with the noodles.

Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.

Step 3: Add the butter and garlic

Reduce the heat slightly and add 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic.

Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown too much, as burnt garlic can give the dish a bitter taste.

Use a wooden spoon to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. They’ll add extra savory flavor to the finished meal.

Step 4: Add the broth and noodles

Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom to incorporate the flavorful browned bits.

Add the egg noodles and dried parsley, stirring gently so the noodles are distributed throughout the liquid.

Bring the broth to a gentle simmer, then return the browned chicken to the skillet along with any juices collected on the plate. Stir everything together.

Step 5: Cook until the noodles are tender

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid.

Cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Check the noodles near the end of cooking and follow the package guidance if they need a little longer.

If the liquid becomes too low before the noodles are tender, add a small splash of chicken broth.

Check the thickest chicken pieces with a food thermometer. The internal temperature must reach 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Step 6: Finish with butter

Once the chicken is fully cooked and the noodles are tender, turn off the heat.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and stir gently until completely melted. This gives the noodles a rich, smooth finish and brings all the flavors together.

Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed. If desired, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle fresh parsley over the top.

Let the dish rest for about 2 minutes before serving so the noodles can absorb a little more of the buttery broth.

Serve warm straight from the skillet.

 

Variations and Tips

Add mushrooms for extra flavor

Stir a cup of sliced mushrooms into the skillet after removing the chicken. Cook until softened before adding the garlic. Mushrooms bring a deeper savory flavor that works especially well with butter and chicken.

Include some vegetables

Frozen peas make an easy addition. Stir them in during the last few minutes of cooking. You can also add finely chopped carrots for extra color and texture.

Make it creamy

For a richer version, stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream once the noodles are tender. Mix gently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Try a different cheese

Parmesan gives the dish a savory finish, but shredded cheddar can also be used for a slightly different flavor.

Add a little seasoning

A pinch of paprika or Italian seasoning can give the chicken and noodles another layer of flavor. Start with a small amount so the garlic and butter remain the main flavors.

Choose the right skillet

A large, deep skillet with a lid is important because the noodles need enough room to cook evenly. A crowded pan can make stirring difficult and may cause some noodles to cook unevenly.

Keep an eye on the broth

Egg noodles absorb liquid as they cook. Keep a little extra chicken broth nearby and add a splash if the skillet starts looking dry before everything is ready.

Finish with butter at the end

Adding the remaining butter after cooking helps create a richer finish and keeps the noodles from tasting dry.

 

Storage and Reheating

Allow leftover chicken and noodles to cool slightly, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.

  • Refrigerator: Store for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating on the stovetop: Place the desired portion in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water and stir gently until heated through.
  • Microwave: Transfer to a microwave-safe dish, add a little broth, and heat in short intervals, stirring halfway through. Make sure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when reheating.

The noodles will continue absorbing liquid as they sit in the refrigerator, so don’t be surprised if the leftovers look a little thicker the next day. A small amount of broth will help bring back their soft, buttery texture.

For the best texture, avoid reheating the entire batch more than once.