Description
This creamy chicken buttered noodles recipe is a quick, comforting dinner perfect for families. Tender chicken and silky noodles are tossed in a rich butter and cream sauce for a meal that pleases even picky eaters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (for seasoning the chicken)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or parsley (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces egg noodles or wide pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Extra Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
- Lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried herbs if using.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- While noodles cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then stir and cook another 3-4 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet with chicken and let it melt, stirring to coat. Pour in heavy cream and optional garlic powder. Stir until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken, about 2 minutes.
- Add drained noodles to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and toss again. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives and lemon zest if desired. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
For best results, cook noodles just until al dente and finish them in the sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother sauce. To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For a lighter version, use milk instead of cream and reduce butter. Leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk or butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 540
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 23
Keywords: chicken buttered noodles, creamy chicken noodles, family dinner, easy chicken pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner, kid friendly, quick pasta recipe