The Perfect Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe for Cozy Nights

Succulent chicken nestled on buttered noodles creates a comforting meal that whispers pure satisfaction.

Creamy strands of pasta embrace tender meat with delightful simplicity.

Home kitchens buzz with excitement when such classic combinations emerge.

Weeknight dinners demand straightforward yet delicious solutions that please everyone around the table.

Minimal ingredients blend into maximum flavor through careful preparation.

Warm plates await this effortless dish that promises immediate contentment.

You’ll want seconds before the first bite disappears.

Classic Comfort: Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Conquer Comfort Cooking: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that feels like a warm hug from your favorite chef.
• Customize with Ease: Swap mushrooms for vegetables or adjust seasonings to match your family's taste preferences without complicated modifications.
• Speed Up Dinner Prep: From start to finish, this chicken dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and time is short.
• Impress Without Stress: The restaurant-quality sauce and perfectly cooked chicken will make you look like a culinary pro without requiring advanced cooking skills.

Ingredients to Create Classic Buttered Noodles & Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: These are the main protein source that provides a lean and tender base for the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: They enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and add basic seasoning.
• Garlic, Thyme, Oregano: These herbs and spices create a rich and aromatic flavor profile for the dish.
• Fresh Parsley: This herb adds a bright, fresh garnish to finish the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to sear the chicken and provide a smooth cooking surface.
• Butter: Adds richness to both the cooking process and the noodles.
• Mushrooms: These provide an earthy flavor and additional texture to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Helps deglaze the pan and adds depth to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, luxurious sauce with a creamy consistency.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Offers a salty, nutty topping that complements the chicken.
• Buttered Noodles: Serve as the base for the chicken, providing a comforting and classic accompaniment.

Instructions for Creamy Buttered Noodles and Chicken

Step 1: Seasoning the Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and sprinkle them generously with salt and pepper. Make sure both sides get an even coating of seasoning for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Searing the Protein

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken breasts into the hot pan.

Cook until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms on each side. The chicken should be fully cooked through, which takes about 4-5 minutes per side.

Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Sauteing Mushroom Magic

Using the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

Toss in sliced mushrooms and let them dance in the pan. Cook until they develop a rich brown color and start releasing their delicious juices, which takes around 5 minutes.

Step 4: Aromatic Flavor Boost

Add minced garlic, thyme, and oregano to the mushrooms. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrant aroma.

Step 5: Creating a Luscious Sauce

Pour chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid simmer and reduce by half, which takes about 5 minutes.

Stir in heavy cream and continue simmering until the sauce thickens slightly, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 6: Final Assembly and Serving

Return the chicken to the skillet and let it warm through in the creamy sauce.

Plate the chicken over buttered noodles. Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Tips for Perfect Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure mushrooms brown instead of steam, creating deeper, richer taste.
• Reduce chicken broth slowly to concentrate flavors and create a velvety sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken.
• Let chicken rest in the warm sauce for a few minutes to absorb extra seasoning and keep meat tender and juicy.
• Toss hot buttered noodles with a bit of reserved pasta water to help sauce adhere better and create a silky texture.

Variations to Customize Buttered Noodles and Chicken

• Creamy Herb Chicken: Replace thyme and oregano with fresh rosemary and sage for a more robust herbal flavor profile.
• Mushroom-Free Option: Skip mushrooms and add diced bell peppers or zucchini for extra vegetable nutrition and color variety.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken: Coat chicken with Cajun seasoning before cooking and add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Style: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a tangy Mediterranean twist.

Pairing Suggestions for Buttered Noodles and Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy mushroom sauce and cut through the richness of the buttered noodles.
• Enhance with Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare garlic-roasted asparagus or honey-glazed carrots to add color, nutrition, and a caramelized contrast to the tender chicken dish.
• Match with Herbaceous Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, tangy counterpoint to the rich, creamy chicken and noodles.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Offer a warm, crusty baguette or sourdough slice to soak up the delicious mushroom cream sauce and add textural variety to the meal.

Storage Tips for Buttered Noodles and Chicken

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep chicken and noodles separate to maintain texture.

Wrap chicken and sauce individually in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing noodles to prevent soggy texture.

Place chicken and sauce in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Stop when internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Warm chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently and heat until thoroughly warm, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• Why use chicken breasts for this recipe?

Chicken breasts are lean, tender, and cook quickly, making them perfect for a fast and healthy meal that’s easy to prepare.

• Can I use different herbs instead of thyme and oregano?

Yes, you can substitute with rosemary, basil, or Italian seasoning to customize the flavor profile while maintaining the dish’s essence.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is safe to eat without becoming dry.

• What makes the sauce creamy and flavorful?

The combination of chicken broth, heavy cream, and browned mushroom bits creates a rich, deep sauce that enhances the chicken’s taste and provides a luxurious texture.

Chicken With Buttered Noodles Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary delight in this classic chicken with buttered noodles dish, where tender chicken nestles alongside silky, rich pasta. Homemade goodness fills each forkful, inviting diners to savor hearty flavors that bring warmth and satisfaction to any mealtime.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Cooking Liquids and Fats:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta:

• 12 ounces noodles

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
2. Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil to coat the bottom, and sear chicken until a rich golden crust develops, approximately 4-5 minutes per side, guaranteeing thorough cooking.
3. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its warmth and juiciness.
4. In the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce sliced mushrooms, allowing them to caramelize and release their natural moisture for roughly 5 minutes.
5. Infuse the mushrooms with minced garlic, thyme, and oregano, stirring continuously for 1-2 minutes to amplify the aromatic profile.
6. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, meticulously scraping accumulated flavor fragments from the skillet’s surface, and reduce liquid volume by half within 5 minutes.
7. Incorporate heavy cream, simmering gently until the sauce achieves a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency over 3-4 minutes.
8. Reintroduce chicken to the skillet, coating it thoroughly with the herbed cream sauce and warming through completely.
9. Plate the chicken atop buttered noodles, embellishing with freshly chopped parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and quicker preparation.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Select fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for richer, more robust flavor profile.
• Choose wide egg noodles or fettuccine for better sauce absorption and texture.
• Balance sauce thickness by gradually adding cream and stirring continuously to prevent separation.
• Experiment with herbs like rosemary or basil for unique flavor variations.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for lighter, healthier option.
• Quickly sear chicken at high heat to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 505 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 340 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg