With just a handful of simple ingredients, this garlic chicken noodles recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal right from your own skillet. We're talking about tender pieces of chicken and chewy egg noodles all coated in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce that's absolutely packed with garlicky goodness.
What Makes Our Garlic Chicken Noodles So Special
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this garlic chicken noodles recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal right from your own skillet. We’re talking about tender pieces of chicken and chewy egg noodles all coated in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce that’s absolutely packed with garlicky goodness. It’s the kind of chicken noodle stir fry that comes together in one pan and satisfies those deep, comforting cravings. During our testing, we found that the secret to the most flavorful chicken garlic noodles lies in getting a proper sear on the chicken and toasting the garlic just until it’s fragrant. This builds a foundation of flavor that makes the entire dish sing. You’re going to be amazed at how such a simple process creates such a complex and delicious dinner.
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What You’ll Find in This Article
Ingredients for Our Garlic Chicken Noodles
- 8 ounces dried wide egg noodles
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Cook Time for Your Chicken Noodle Stir Fry
We know you’re busy, so we love that this entire garlic chicken noodles dish comes together in about 30 minutes. Specifically, you can expect about 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of active cooking. Ultimately, you’ll have a fantastic, homemade meal on the table faster than you can get takeout.How to Make Our Garlic Butter Chicken & Noodles
Follow these simple steps for a perfect one-pan meal. We’ve broken it down to make the process as smooth as possible for you.Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.Step 2: Sear the Chicken
While noodles cook, pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 3: Cook Chicken Through
Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes to get a golden-brown sear. Stir and continue cooking until cooked through, about 3-4 more minutes. Remove chicken to a clean plate.Step 4: Sauté Aromatics
Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and the white parts of the green onions. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 5: Create the Sauce
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Pour this sauce into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.Step 6: Thicken the Sauce
In a separate small bowl, make a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Whisk this slurry into the sauce in the skillet and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.Step 7: Combine Everything
Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the drained noodles and toss everything together until the noodles are well coated in the sauce and heated through.Step 8: Finish and Serve
Remove from heat, stir in the green parts of the sliced onions, and serve immediately.Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
After making this recipe dozens of times, we’ve gathered our best team insights to help you nail it on the first try. Here are our favorite pro tips for your chicken garlic noodles.- Flavor Swap: For a different profile, try substituting the honey with an equal amount of maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Heat Adjustment: If your sauce is thickening too quickly, simply add a splash more chicken broth to loosen it up.
- Prep Fix: To save time, mince your garlic and slice your green onions while the chicken is cooking.
- Storage Tip: Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat wonderfully in the microwave or a skillet.
Flavor & Texture Notes
When made correctly, this garlic chicken noodles dish is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami. You should expect a glossy sauce that clings to every noodle and piece of chicken. The texture is a fantastic combination of tender chicken, chewy egg noodles, and a slight crunch from the fresh green onions stirred in at the end. Ultimately, the star is the robust, aromatic garlic flavor that isn’t overpowering but is definitely present in every single bite.Variations & Substitutions
We love how versatile this chicken garlic noodles recipe is. Don’t be afraid to make it your own based on what you have in the kitchen or your personal preferences.- Noodle Swap: If you don’t have wide egg noodles, fettuccine, linguine, or even spaghetti work perfectly well for this garlic chicken pasta.
- Veggie Boost: Add a cup of sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas when you sauté the garlic for extra color and nutrition.
- Protein Change: Thinly sliced beef steak or large shrimp are fantastic alternatives to chicken in this stir fry.
- Kick of Heat: For a spicy version, add a teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Acidity Twist: A squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end can brighten up the entire dish beautifully.
Make-Ahead & Scaling
We know that weeknight dinners often require a bit of planning, so we tested several make-ahead strategies for this garlic chicken noodles recipe. You can absolutely prep components in advance to get dinner on the table even faster. For instance, you can cut the chicken and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also mince the garlic and slice the green onions ahead of time. This chicken noodle stir fry is all about efficiency. When it comes to scaling, this recipe is wonderfully flexible. To double the batch for a crowd, we recommend using your largest skillet or a Dutch oven to ensure everything has enough room to cook properly. Conversely, you can easily halve the recipe for a cozy meal for two using a standard 10-inch skillet. Just keep in mind that cooking times may adjust slightly, so always rely on visual cues like a golden sear on the chicken and a nicely thickened sauce.How to Serve Our Garlic Chicken Noodles
We love how this garlic chicken pasta becomes the centerpiece of a comforting meal. During our team tastings, we found that a simple, bright side dish perfectly complements the rich, savory notes of the noodles. A quick cucumber salad or some steamed broccoli works beautifully. Ultimately, this garlic butter chicken and noodles dish is so complete and satisfying that it hardly needs anything else, but a little freshness on the side never hurts. For a final touch, we always finish our chicken garlic noodles with an extra sprinkle of fresh green onions. It adds a pop of color and a fresh flavor that we absolutely love.
Mistakes to Avoid
After many rounds of testing, we’ve seen a few common hiccups that can happen with this chicken noodle stir fry. We’re sharing them so you can avoid them and get perfect results on your first try. For example, if you’ve ever ended up with a soggy texture, the culprit is often overcooked noodles or a crowded pan. Firstly, do not overcrowd the skillet when browning the chicken. If you add too much chicken at once, it will steam instead of sear, and you’ll miss out on those delicious browned bits that build the sauce’s flavor. Secondly, be careful not to burn the garlic. It cooks quickly, so keep the heat at medium and stir constantly for just about a minute until it’s fragrant. Finally, make sure your cornstarch slurry is smooth before adding it to the sauce. Any lumps can create a weird texture in your final garlic chicken noodles. By paying attention to these few details, you’ll create a restaurant-quality chicken garlic noodles dish right at home.How to Store Garlic Chicken Noodles
We always seem to make a big batch of this garlic chicken pasta, so we’ve become experts on storing the leftovers. Let the dish cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We don’t recommend freezing this particular dish, as the noodles can become mushy and the sauce may separate upon thawing. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheating is best done in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth or water. This helps to loosen the sauce and brings the noodles back to life. The microwave works in a pinch, but stir every 30 seconds to ensure even heating. Your chicken garlic noodles will taste just as delicious the second time around.Try This Garlic Chicken Noodles Yourself
We genuinely believe this is one of those foundational recipes that belongs in every home cook’s rotation. It’s the kind of meal that feels both special and completely achievable on any given Tuesday. We’ve had so much fun perfecting this garlic butter chicken and noodles recipe for you, and we’re excited for you to experience it in your own kitchen. Gather your simple ingredients and give it a go this week. We think you’ll be amazed at how a few pantry staples can transform into such a comforting and flavorful dinner. This garlic chicken noodles recipe is a true testament to the power of simple, good cooking.Garlic Chicken Noodles
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this garlic chicken noodles recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal right from your own skillet. We're talking about tender pieces of chicken and chewy egg noodles all coated in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce that's absolutely packed with garlicky goodness.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- While noodles cook, pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes to get a golden-brown sear. Stir and continue cooking until cooked through, about 3-4 more minutes. Remove chicken to a clean plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the minced garlic and the white parts of the green onions. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Pour this sauce into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- In a separate small bowl, make a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. Whisk this slurry into the sauce in the skillet and simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add the drained noodles and toss everything together until the noodles are well coated in the sauce and heated through.
- Remove from heat, stir in the green parts of the sliced onions, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
For a different flavor profile, try substituting the honey with maple syrup or brown sugar. Add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli when sautéing the garlic. Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Submit Your RecipeFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of noodle?
Absolutely. While we love wide egg noodles for their chewy texture, this recipe is very adaptable. Linguine, fettuccine, or even spaghetti work wonderfully for this garlic chicken pasta. Just be sure to cook your chosen noodles al dente according to their package directions.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
To prevent sticking, make sure you’re using a sufficiently large pot of well-salted boiling water for your egg noodles. After draining, a quick toss with a tiny bit of oil can help, but since you’ll be adding them directly to the sauce, the sauce itself will usually coat them and prevent clumping in this chicken garlic noodles dish.
Can I make this dish less sweet?
Of course. The honey provides a subtle sweetness that balances the soy sauce, but you can easily reduce it to one tablespoon or substitute it with a teaspoon of brown sugar. Taste the sauce before adding it to the skillet and adjust to your preference for your perfect chicken noodle stir fry.
