Introduction
If you’re looking for a quick, comforting, and flavor-packed dinner, this One-Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Egg Noodles is the perfect dish to add to your rotation. This recipe combines tender seared chicken breasts with a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce infused with Parmesan cheese. Egg noodles cook directly in the sauce, soaking up all the buttery goodness, making this a one-pan meal that saves time and cleanup.
This dish is ideal for weeknights when you need something hearty, yet simple enough to pull together without much fuss. It’s a family-friendly dinner, appealing to both kids and adults, and pairs beautifully with a side salad or roasted vegetables. With minimal prep and a streamlined cooking process, it’s easy to see why this recipe is destined to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Sauce & Noodles:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Preparation
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add olive oil to the pan, swirling to coat.
- Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until they are golden brown and develop a crisp, flavorful crust.
- Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Step 2: Start the Sauce
- In the same skillet (do not wipe it out — the browned bits left behind add flavor), reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter and allow it to melt.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic).
Step 3: Build the Creamy Base
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking to combine the liquids and deglaze the pan (scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom).
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the egg noodles, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let the noodles cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Thicken and Flavor the Sauce
- If the sauce seems too thin after the noodles have cooked, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl.
- Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet while stirring to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and black pepper, ensuring the cheese melts completely into the sauce.
Step 5: Return Chicken to Pan
- Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy egg noodles.
- Spoon some sauce over the top of each piece of chicken.
- Let the chicken cook in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to reheat and absorb some of the rich, garlicky flavors.
Cooking Note
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: To keep the chicken juicy, avoid overcooking during the initial searing process. It will finish cooking in the sauce, absorbing flavor and staying tender.
- One-Pan Trick: Make sure the skillet is large enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably. An oven-safe deep skillet allows you to pop the dish under the broiler if you want a cheesy crust on top.
- Sauce Thickness: If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it up before serving.
- Even Cooking: If your chicken breasts are thick, consider slicing them horizontally into cutlets to ensure even cooking.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a simple side salad (greens with a light vinaigrette) to balance the creamy richness.
- Pair with roasted vegetables, like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli, for added color and nutrition.
- A warm slice of garlic bread or crusty baguette is perfect for soaking up the leftover sauce.
- Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked pepper on top at the table for an elegant touch.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: Pre-measure all ingredients so the recipe flows smoothly.
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides the best flavor — avoid pre-minced jarred garlic if possible.
- Avoid Overcrowding: If using smaller pans, sear the chicken in batches to get a proper golden crust.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of chicken broth to maintain the creamy texture.
- Make it Lighter: Substitute half-and-half or low-fat milk for the heavy cream if you prefer a lighter dish, though the sauce will be thinner.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
25 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Nutritional Information (Estimated per Serving)
- Calories: ~600 calories
- Protein: ~45g
- Sodium: ~800mg
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Fat: ~28g
- Saturated Fat: ~12g
- Cholesterol: ~155mg
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugar: ~2g
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of noodle?
Yes, you can substitute fettuccine, linguine, or even rotini, but adjust the cooking time as needed since egg noodles cook faster.
2. Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best served fresh, but you can reheat leftovers with a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce.
3. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Skip the searing step and add the shredded chicken directly to the sauce before serving.
4. Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, but you can substitute gluten-free egg noodles and ensure your broth and seasonings are gluten-free.
5. How can I make this dairy-free?
Substitute the butter for dairy-free butter, heavy cream for coconut cream, and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
Conclusion
One-Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Egg Noodles is a comforting, satisfying meal that combines rich flavors and hearty textures in a single skillet. With its creamy garlic sauce, tender chicken, and soft egg noodles, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner for families craving comfort food with minimal cleanup. Whether you keep it classic or customize it with vegetables, herbs, or cheese, this recipe delivers every time.
Enjoy this simple yet indulgent dish that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite!
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One-Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Egg Noodles
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Description
If you’re looking for a quick, comforting, and flavor-packed dinner, this One-Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Egg Noodles is the perfect dish to add to your rotation. This recipe combines tender seared chicken breasts with a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce infused with Parmesan cheese. Egg noodles cook directly in the sauce, soaking up all the buttery goodness, making this a one-pan meal that saves time and cleanup.
This dish is ideal for weeknights when you need something hearty, yet simple enough to pull together without much fuss. It’s a family-friendly dinner, appealing to both kids and adults, and pairs beautifully with a side salad or roasted vegetables. With minimal prep and a streamlined cooking process, it’s easy to see why this recipe is destined to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Sauce & Noodles:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add olive oil to the pan, swirling to coat.
- Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until they are golden brown and develop a crisp, flavorful crust.
- Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Step 2: Start the Sauce
- In the same skillet (do not wipe it out — the browned bits left behind add flavor), reduce heat to medium.
- Add butter and allow it to melt.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic).
Step 3: Build the Creamy Base
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking to combine the liquids and deglaze the pan (scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom).
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the egg noodles, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let the noodles cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Thicken and Flavor the Sauce
- If the sauce seems too thin after the noodles have cooked, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl.
- Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet while stirring to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and black pepper, ensuring the cheese melts completely into the sauce.
Step 5: Return Chicken to Pan
- Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy egg noodles.
- Spoon some sauce over the top of each piece of chicken.
- Let the chicken cook in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to reheat and absorb some of the rich, garlicky flavors.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: To keep the chicken juicy, avoid overcooking during the initial searing process. It will finish cooking in the sauce, absorbing flavor and staying tender.
- One-Pan Trick: Make sure the skillet is large enough to hold all the ingredients comfortably. An oven-safe deep skillet allows you to pop the dish under the broiler if you want a cheesy crust on top.
- Sauce Thickness: If the sauce thickens too much while sitting, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it up before serving.
- Even Cooking: If your chicken breasts are thick, consider slicing them horizontally into cutlets to ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~600 calories
- Sugar: ~2g
- Sodium: ~800mg
- Fat: ~28g
- Saturated Fat: ~12g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Protein: ~45g
- Cholesterol: ~155mg