introduction
Chicken with buttered noodles is a soft and creamy dish with tender chicken and rich buttery noodles. The flavors are gentle, so it fits kids and adults and feels like classic comfort food.
Table of Contents
why make this recipe
This recipe uses very basic items like chicken, pasta, butter, and a few herbs, so it is easy to cook any day. It comes together quickly in one pan plus a pot for the noodles, which makes clean up simple.​
how to make chicken-with-buttered-noodles
First, cook seasoned chicken pieces in a pan until brown and tender, then set them aside. In the same pan, make a quick butter sauce with broth, garlic, and herbs, while the noodles boil in another pot and then get tossed with butter.​
Ingredients :
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut or pounded to even thickness
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter for cooking chicken and sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or a mix of thyme and oregano
- 8 ounces egg noodles or other noodles
- 2 to 3 tablespoons butter for the noodles
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)​
Directions :
- Season the chicken well on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- Lower the heat to medium, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the same pan, and stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, but not browned.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift any browned bits, and let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in the cream and Italian seasoning, then simmer for a few minutes until the sauce lightly thickens. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- While the sauce cooks, boil the noodles in salted water according to the package directions until just tender, then drain. Toss the hot noodles with 2 to 3 tablespoons butter until coated.
- Return the chicken and any juices to the pan, spoon some sauce over the chicken, and warm for a couple of minutes.
- To serve, place buttered noodles on plates, top with chicken, spoon the pan sauce over, and finish with parsley and Parmesan if you like.​
how to serve chicken-with-buttered-noodles
Serve this dish hot with the noodles on the bottom and chicken on top so they soak up the sauce. Add a side of green salad, steamed broccoli, or peas for color and some extra veggies.​
how to store chicken-with-buttered-noodles
Let any leftovers cool, then place the chicken, sauce, and noodles in a sealed container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a little splash of broth, water, or milk so the sauce loosens and the noodles stay soft.​
tips to make chicken-with-buttered-noodles
- Use even thickness chicken so it cooks at the same speed and stays juicy.​
- Do not overcook the noodles; keep them just tender so they hold up in the sauce.​
- Taste the sauce at the end and add more salt, pepper, or Parmesan to balance the buttery taste.​
variation (if any)
- Garlic lemon version: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a bit of lemon zest to the sauce for a brighter taste.​
- Mushroom version: Cook sliced mushrooms in the pan after the chicken, then build the sauce over them for extra flavor and texture.​
- Lighter version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and a little less butter to make the dish lighter, though the sauce will be thinner.​
FAQs:
Q1: Can I use other pasta instead of egg noodles?
Yes, you can use spaghetti, fettuccine, or short pasta like rotini or penne, but egg noodles give a softer, classic texture.​
Q2: Can I make this ahead of time?
You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead and store them in the fridge, then cook fresh noodles and butter them just before serving so they stay tender.​
Q3: Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
Yes, slice leftover cooked chicken and warm it gently in the sauce before serving over the buttered noodles, taking care not to overcook it.​
Q4: How can I make it more cheesy?
Stir some grated Parmesan into both the sauce and the hot buttered noodles, then sprinkle more on top when serving.

Easy Chicken With Buttered Noodles – A Cozy Family Favorite
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Chicken with buttered noodles is a creamy, one-pan comfort dish made with tender chicken breasts and rich, buttery noodles. Perfect for quick dinners and picky eaters.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (even thickness)
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (for chicken and sauce)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or thyme and oregano)
8 ounces egg noodles (or other pasta)
2 to 3 tablespoons butter (for noodles)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, 4–6 minutes per side. Remove and keep warm.
4. Lower heat to medium, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the same skillet, and stir in garlic.
5. Cook garlic for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
7. Add cream and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer until the sauce slightly thickens. Adjust seasoning.
8. Meanwhile, cook egg noodles in salted boiling water until just tender. Drain and toss with 2–3 tablespoons butter.
9. Return chicken to skillet and spoon some sauce over the top. Warm through for 2–3 minutes.
10. To serve, place buttered noodles on plates, top with chicken, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a brighter flavor, stir in a bit of lemon juice and zest to the sauce.
You can swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter version.
Add sautéed mushrooms for extra depth.
Don’t overcook noodles—just tender is best.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
