This chicken with buttered noodles is one of our favorite simple dinners, juicy seared chicken over a bowl of garlicky, buttery noodles, ready in about thirty minutes. For us that kind of easy, comforting meal is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that comes together from pantry staples yet feels deeply comforting, juicy seared chicken resting over a bowl of garlicky, buttery noodles.
Seasoned chicken breasts are seared until golden, then sliced and served over egg noodles tossed in garlic butter. This chicken with buttered noodles is the kind of cozy, kid friendly dinner that comes together fast on a busy weeknight with simple pantry ingredients. Searing seasoned chicken until golden, slicing it, and serving it over egg noodles tossed in garlic butter makes a cozy, kid friendly dinner that comes together fast on a busy weeknight.
Golden seared chicken over garlic buttered egg noodles makes this chicken with buttered noodles a cozy, satisfying dinner in about thirty minutes.
Why You Will Love This Chicken with Buttered Noodles
- Ready in about thirty minutes. A quick sear and a pot of noodles make this an easy weeknight dinner.
- Simple ingredients. Chicken, egg noodles, butter, and garlic are the heart of it.
- Comforting and kid friendly. Buttery noodles and tender chicken are a guaranteed hit with the whole family.
- Juicy seared chicken. A hot skillet gives the chicken a golden crust while keeping it moist.
- Easy to dress up. Add herbs, lemon, or vegetables to make it your own.
What Makes This Chicken with Buttered Noodles So Good
Great chicken with buttered noodles starts with a good sear. Seasoning the chicken well and cooking it in a hot skillet builds a golden, flavorful crust, while letting it rest before slicing keeps the juices in so each piece stays moist. Seasoning the chicken well and searing it in a hot skillet builds a golden, flavorful crust, while letting it rest before slicing keeps the juices in so each piece stays moist.
Tossing the cooked egg noodles in butter and sauteed garlic is what makes them so comforting. A splash of reserved pasta water helps the butter coat every noodle in a light, glossy sauce. Tossing the cooked egg noodles in butter and sauteed garlic is what makes them so comforting, and a splash of reserved pasta water helps the butter coat every noodle in a light, glossy sauce.
Using the same skillet for the garlic butter picks up the browned bits left from the chicken, adding extra savory depth to the noodles. That simple step ties the whole chicken with buttered noodles together. Using the same skillet for the garlic butter picks up the browned bits left from the chicken, adding extra savory depth that ties the whole dish together.
Optional Pro Tip: Save Some Pasta Water
Reserve a little of the starchy pasta water before draining the noodles. For the best chicken with buttered noodles, add a splash to the buttered noodles if they seem dry, which helps the butter and garlic cling and creates a light, glossy coating. Reserving a little starchy pasta water before draining and adding a splash to the buttered noodles if they seem dry helps the butter and garlic cling in a light, glossy coating.
Tips for the Best Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Rest the chicken before slicing so the chicken with buttered noodles stays juicy, and slice against the grain for the most tender pieces. Resting the chicken before slicing keeps it juicy, and cutting against the grain gives you the most tender pieces.
Cook the noodles just to al dente and toss them in the garlic butter right away. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add pasta water as needed. Cooking the noodles just to al dente and tossing them in the garlic butter right away keeps them tender, and a little pasta water loosens them if needed.
Variations and Add Ins
- Lemon herb. Add lemon juice and fresh herbs to the noodles.
- Parmesan. Toss the noodles with grated Parmesan for a cheesy finish.
- Garlic butter veggies. Add peas, spinach, or broccoli to the noodles.
- Creamy. Stir a splash of cream into the butter for a richer sauce.
- Spicy. Add red chili flakes to the garlic butter.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover chicken with buttered noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the chicken and noodles together for easy reheating. Stored airtight, it keeps for a few days, and keeping the chicken and noodles together makes reheating quick and easy.
Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water, and add a little extra butter to refresh the noodles. A splash of broth or water and a little extra butter while reheating refreshes the noodles and brings the whole dish right back to comforting.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Serve this with a green salad or a simple vegetable side, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil over the top. Warm bread on the side makes it even cozier. A green salad or simple vegetable side, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil, and warm bread alongside round this out into a cozy, satisfying meal. A little extra garlic butter spooned over at the table is a nice touch, making the noodles taste even richer and more comforting.
Egg noodles are a tender, flat pasta made with egg, popular in comforting home cooked dishes, as described in this overview of egg noodles. Their soft texture is exactly what makes this chicken with buttered noodles so cozy and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What noodles are best for this dish?
Egg noodles are classic and soak up the garlic butter beautifully. Other pasta shapes work too if that is what you have. Egg noodles are classic and soak up the garlic butter beautifully, though other pasta shapes work too if that is what you have.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless thighs stay juicy and sear well. Adjust the time and cook them to 165 F. Boneless thighs stay juicy and sear well, so they are a great choice, just adjust the cooking time so they cook through.
How do I keep the chicken juicy?
Sear it over medium high heat, do not overcook it, and let it rest before slicing so the juices settle. Searing over medium high heat, not overcooking, and letting the chicken rest before slicing are the simple steps that keep it juicy and tender.
How do I know the chicken is done?
Use a thermometer and cook until the thickest part reaches 165 F. A quick read in the thickest part of the chicken is the most reliable way to know it is cooked through and ready to slice.
Why are my noodles dry?
They may need a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss it in with the butter to create a light, glossy coating. Dry noodles usually just need a splash of the reserved pasta water tossed in with the butter, which creates a light, glossy coating that clings.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps for up to three days and reheats well with a little extra butter or broth. Because it keeps and reheats so well, it is easy to make ahead, refreshing with a little extra butter or broth when you warm it up.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Peas, spinach, or broccoli all work well tossed into the buttered noodles. Peas, spinach, or broccoli all stir nicely into the buttered noodles, adding color and a little extra nutrition to the bowl.
What herbs go well?
Parsley, basil, or thyme all add freshness. Season the chicken with thyme for extra flavor. Parsley, basil, or thyme all add a fresh finish, and seasoning the chicken with thyme is an easy way to layer in extra flavor.
Can I make it cheesy?
Yes. Toss the noodles with grated Parmesan, or add a splash of cream for a richer sauce. For a cheesy version, tossing the noodles with grated Parmesan or stirring in a splash of cream gives the dish a richer, more indulgent sauce.
What sides go well?
A green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm bread all round out the meal. A green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm bread all round out the meal and add a fresh or crunchy contrast to the buttery noodles.
A Cozy Weeknight Classic
This chicken with buttered noodles proves that a few simple ingredients can make a deeply comforting dinner. Juicy chicken over garlicky, buttery noodles is the kind of meal everyone happily eats.
Add herbs, lemon, or vegetables to suit your taste, and put it together in about thirty minutes on the busiest nights. It is a cozy, flexible classic worth keeping in the rotation.
If you love easy, comforting dinners like this, you will also enjoy our cajun chicken pasta, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Chicken with Buttered Noodles
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the noodles and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for later.
- While the noodles are cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme on both sides.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
- Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through, internal temperature should reach 165 F (75 C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- In the same skillet, add butter and olive oil.
- Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Add the drained noodles to the skillet, tossing them in the butter and garlic mixture until evenly coated.
- If the noodles seem dry, add a small amount of reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season the noodles with salt and pepper to taste and toss again to combine.
- Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips.
- Plate the buttered noodles and top with the sliced chicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Enjoyed the recipe? Share it!
Kitchen Essentials We Recommend
Tools that make cooking easier — tried, tested, and loved.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Got a recipe the world should try?
Share your favorite family recipe or national dish with food lovers in 100+ countries.
Submit Your Recipe