One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Egg Noodles

One pan creamy garlic butter chicken with egg noodles is the weeknight dinner I turn to when I want something rich, cozy, and on the table fast. Tender chicken, silky egg noodles, and a buttery garlic cream sauce all come together in a single skillet. It is comfort food that actually delivers every single time.

I still remember throwing this together on a busy Tuesday with just a couple of chicken breasts and a few pantry staples. The moment that garlic hit the warm butter, everyone wandered into the kitchen. That is the thing about this one pan creamy garlic butter chicken recipe. it feels like something special without asking much of you. The noodles cook right in the sauce, the cleanup is almost nothing, and dinner is ready in 30 minutes flat. It is the kind of easy chicken dinner that earns a permanent spot in the weekly rotation.

What You Need to Make This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken

I always keep these ingredients on hand because this recipe comes together so quickly. Pro tip: use freshly grated Parmesan from a block rather than the pre-shredded kind. It melts into the sauce much more smoothly and gives you a noticeably richer flavor.

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and black pepper – to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic – freshly minced (not jarred, for best flavor)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth – low sodium recommended
• 1 cup heavy cream – do not substitute with half-and-half as the sauce will turn out thin
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese – freshly grated
• 2 tbsp butter – unsalted preferred so you control the salt
• 8 oz wide egg noodles – wide cut holds up best in the sauce
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley – chopped, for garnish

How I Make One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken from Start to Finish

I recommend prepping all your ingredients before you turn on the heat. This one pan creamy garlic butter chicken with egg noodles moves quickly once it gets going, and having everything ready makes the process smooth and stress-free.

Step 1: Season the chicken pieces generously with salt and black pepper on all sides. Do not skip this step. it is what builds the base flavor of the whole dish.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once or twice, until golden brown on the outside and cooked through to 165 degrees F internally. Look for deep golden color on the pieces before flipping. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a clean plate.

Step 3: Keep the heat at medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet without wiping it out. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Watch it carefully because garlic burns fast and bitter garlic will ruin the sauce.

Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Those bits carry a lot of flavor.

Step 5: Add the egg noodles directly to the skillet and stir to coat them in the liquid. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the noodles are tender. Note: wide egg noodles typically need a full 8 to 10 minutes to cook through in broth. Check your package directions and adjust slightly if needed.

Step 6: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens slightly and turns glossy. If the sauce looks too thick at any point, stir in a small splash of chicken broth or cream, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the consistency you want.

Step 7: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and fold it gently into the noodles and sauce. Let everything warm together for about 1 to 2 minutes over low heat.

Step 8: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while the sauce is at its creamiest.

Best Sides to Serve with One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Egg Noodles

This dish is rich and filling, so the best sides for one pan creamy garlic butter chicken are light, fresh, or slightly crisp to balance the creamy sauce.

Steamed broccoli: The mild, slightly firm texture of steamed broccoli cuts through the richness of the cream sauce and adds a pop of green to the plate without competing with the flavors.

Simple garden salad: A crisp green salad dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette adds brightness and acidity that refreshes the palate between bites of the creamy noodles and chicken.

Garlic bread: If you want to lean fully into comfort food mode, a slice of crusty garlic bread is perfect for scooping up every last bit of that buttery sauce from the pan.

Roasted asparagus: Asparagus tossed with olive oil and sea salt then roasted until slightly crisp is a simple seasonal side that pairs beautifully with the garlic butter flavors already in the dish.

More Easy Chicken Dinners to Add to Your Weekly Rotation

If this one pan creamy garlic butter chicken with egg noodles hit the spot, there are plenty of other easy skillet and one-pan chicken recipes worth trying. The Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta brings a similar creamy, cheesy flavor profile with a slightly different twist, while the Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Broccoli Pasta is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken in a rich, saucy dinner.

For more comforting one-pan meals the whole family will love, the Garlic Butter Chicken and Broccoli keeps things simple and satisfying, and the Creamy Mushroom Chicken adds an earthy depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with egg noodles or rice on the side.

Storing and Reheating Your Garlic Butter Chicken and Noodles

Store leftover one pan creamy garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the egg noodles will continue absorbing the sauce as they sit, so leftovers will be noticeably thicker the next day. That is completely normal.

To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream as you heat to bring the sauce back to its original silky consistency.

Pro tip: I recommend skipping the freezer with this one. Cream-based sauces tend to separate and turn grainy when frozen and thawed, and egg noodles become mushy. This dish is best enjoyed fresh or from the fridge within 3 days.

Questions About One Pan Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Answered

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