Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe

Savory Homestyle Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe

Creamy, comforting chicken with buttered noodles dance across dinner plates like a culinary melody waiting to delight hungry souls.

Pasta ribbons gleam with golden butter, promising warmth and satisfaction in every twirling bite.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this luxurious without complicated techniques or endless ingredients.

Simple ingredients combine into something magical on your plate.

Kitchen magic happens when tender chicken meets silky noodles, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Hearty and uncomplicated, this dish speaks directly to comfort food lovers seeking quick, delicious solutions.

Discover how quickly you can transform basic ingredients into a meal that sparks smiles around the table.

What Makes This Chicken and Noodle Dish So Comforting

  • Crafting Simple Comfort: This chicken with buttered noodles recipe delivers pure homestyle comfort without complicated techniques, perfect for cooks at any skill level.
  • Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking steps make this dish a go-to solution for busy families seeking a delicious, satisfying meal in minimal time.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: The classic flavor combination appeals to both kids and adults, transforming an ordinary dinner into a crowd-favorite meal that everyone will enjoy.
  • Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using just a skillet and pot means less kitchen mess, allowing more time to savor the meal and spend with loved ones instead of washing dishes.

Ingredients for Buttered Noodles with Chicken

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the main star of the dish, providing a hearty and satisfying meal.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Dried Thyme: A classic combination of spices that enhances the chicken's natural flavor and creates a delicious aromatic crust.
Noodle Components:
  • Egg Noodles: A soft and comforting pasta that creates a perfect base for the chicken, absorbing the rich buttery flavor.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds a creamy and rich coating to the noodles, creating a luxurious texture and enhancing the overall taste.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: A bright and fresh herb that adds a pop of color and a light, clean flavor to the finished dish.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a medium for cooking the chicken and helps create a golden-brown exterior.
  • Salted Water: Helps season the noodles during the cooking process and ensures proper pasta texture.

How to Make Chicken with Buttered Noodles

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme on both sides. Ensure even coverage for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s hot and shimmering. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 3: Cook Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until they reach al dente texture, typically 8-9 minutes.

Step 4: Butter Noodles

Drain noodles completely in a colander. Return noodles to the warm pot and add:
  • Unsalted butter

Gently toss to ensure every noodle is coated with butter.

Step 5: Add Fresh Herbs

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the buttered noodles, stirring to distribute herbs evenly.

Step 6: Rest and Slice Chicken

Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 3-4 minutes. Slice chicken into beautiful strips.

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Transfer buttered noodles to a serving platter. Arrange sliced chicken on top of the herbed noodles. Serve immediately while everything is hot and delicious.

Tips to Perfect This Classic Combo

  • Perfectly Dry Chicken: Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.
  • Control Cooking Heat: Use medium-high heat and wait until oil is shimmering to create a perfect sear without burning the chicken.
  • Check Chicken Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe and juicy chicken.
  • Butter Noodle Pro Tip: Return noodles to warm pot after draining to help butter melt quickly and coat noodles evenly for maximum flavor.
  • Herb Enhancement: Freshly chopped parsley adds bright color and a light, fresh taste that complements the rich buttered noodles perfectly.

Easy Twists on Buttered Noodles and Chicken

  • Herb-Infused Chicken Noodle Feast: Enhance the chicken seasoning with rosemary, sage, and marjoram for a more complex herb profile.
  • Parmesan Garlic Noodle Upgrade: Add grated parmesan cheese and roasted garlic to the buttered noodles for a rich, savory dimension.
  • Spicy Southern Comfort: Coat chicken with cajun seasoning and add red pepper flakes to the noodles for a zesty kick.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Fusion: Incorporate lemon zest, oregano, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version of the classic dish.

Sides That Work with This Simple Dinner

  • Elevate Herbal Harmony: Pair crisp Sauvignon Blanc with its bright, zesty notes that complement the thyme and parsley in the dish.
  • Wine-Driven Delight: Choose a light-bodied Pinot Noir that matches the delicate chicken and buttery noodles without overpowering the subtle flavors.
  • Fresh Salad Sidekick: Serve a simple mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the buttered noodles and add refreshing contrast.
  • Vegetable Boost: Roast asparagus or green beans with garlic and olive oil to provide a crisp, green accompaniment that balances the creamy pasta texture.

Storing and Reheating Chicken and Noodles

  • Store leftover chicken and noodles separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent soggy texture. Place in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking for optimal food safety.
  • Wrap cooled chicken tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Noodles freeze less successfully, so consider freezing only the chicken for up to 3-4 months.
  • Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Reheat noodles separately in a microwave with a small pat of butter to restore moisture and prevent clumping.
  • Consume refrigerated chicken and noodles within 3-4 days for best quality and taste.

FAQs About Chicken and Buttered Noodle Recipes

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and white throughout with no pink areas.

  • Can I use different herbs for seasoning?

Absolutely! While dried thyme works great, you can substitute with rosemary, oregano, or Italian seasoning blend for similar flavor profiles.

  • What if my chicken breasts are different sizes?

For even cooking, consider pounding thicker chicken breasts to a uniform thickness before seasoning. This helps ensure consistent cooking and prevents dry or undercooked sections.

  • Is it important to let the chicken rest after cooking?

Yes, resting allows juices to redistribute, making the chicken more tender and preventing dry meat when you slice it.

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Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe

Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe


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4.6 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent chicken pairs perfectly with rich, creamy buttered noodles in this classic comfort dish that brings warmth to family dinners. Homemade goodness combines tender chicken and silky pasta for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Noodles:

  • 12 oz egg noodles
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Seasonings:

  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season thoroughly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme on both sides.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and nearly smoking.
  3. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  5. Add egg noodles to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes.
  6. Drain noodles thoroughly in a colander, then return them to the warm pot.
  7. Melt unsalted butter in the pot with the noodles, gently tossing to coat every strand evenly.
  8. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the buttered noodles, stirring to distribute herbs.
  9. Transfer buttered noodles to a serving platter, creating a bed for the cooked chicken.
  10. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 3-4 minutes before slicing.
  11. Arrange sliced chicken atop the herbed buttered noodles and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Choose skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that cooks quickly and evenly.
  • Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature, avoiding overcooking which can dry out the meat.
  • Create flavor variations by substituting dried thyme with rosemary, oregano, or Italian seasoning blend.
  • Gluten-free alternative: Replace egg noodles with zucchini noodles or rice noodles for dietary restrictions.
  • Save butter calories by using olive oil or a light butter blend for coating noodles.
  • Add grated parmesan cheese over buttered noodles for extra richness and depth of flavor.
  • Let chicken rest after cooking to retain maximum juiciness and prevent moisture loss when slicing.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 20g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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