Chicken with Buttered Noodles

This Chicken with Buttered Noodles recipe is the epitome of comfort food. It’s simple, flavorful, and packed with tender chicken paired with perfectly cooked noodles and a rich, buttery sauce. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this dish is sure to satisfy the whole family. It’s also customizable to fit your preferences—add vegetables or spices to take it up a notch!

Chicken with Buttered Noodles

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs if preferred)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter (for searing)

For the Buttered Noodles:

• 8 oz egg noodles (or your favorite pasta)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra richness)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a cheesy boost)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional, for extra flavor)
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Heat the skillet: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Sear the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C). If the chicken breasts are thick, you can reduce the heat and cover the skillet for a few minutes to ensure the chicken cooks through without burning the exterior. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
4. Finish the chicken: After resting for a few minutes, slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.

Step 2: Cook the Noodles

1. Boil the noodles: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles (or pasta of choice) and cook according to the package directions, usually around 7-9 minutes for egg noodles, until tender but still firm to the bite (al dente).
2. Drain the noodles: Once cooked, drain the noodles, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water for later (if you want to make the sauce creamier or loosen up the noodles later).

Step 3: Prepare the Buttered Noodles

1. Toss with butter: In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken (don’t wipe it out—there’s flavor in the pan!), add 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and allow it to melt.
2. Season the noodles: Add the cooked, drained noodles to the skillet with the melted butter. Toss the noodles in the butter to coat them evenly. If the noodles seem dry, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen them up.
3. Add flavor: Stir in garlic powder (optional), grated Parmesan cheese (optional), and salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together until the noodles are nicely coated and the butter is absorbed.

Step 4: Serve

1. Plate the dish: Serve the buttered noodles on individual plates or in a large serving dish. Top with the sliced chicken and garnish with fresh parsley (optional) for a pop of color and freshness.
2. Serve immediately: Serve hot and enjoy the delicious, comforting combination of tender chicken and buttery noodles!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

This recipe makes 4 servings. Below is the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

Calories: 450-500 kcal
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 80mg
Sodium: 700-800mg
Calcium: 8% of the Daily Value (DV)
Iron: 10% of the DV

Nutritional Breakdown:

• Calories: The calories in this dish come from the pasta, butter, and chicken. For a lighter version, you can reduce the butter or substitute with olive oil for a healthier fat source.
• Protein: The chicken provides a solid amount of protein, making this a hearty meal. Using chicken breast helps keep the protein content high without adding too much fat.
• Carbohydrates: The noodles contribute most of the carbs in this dish. To reduce carbs, you can use a low-carb pasta alternative like zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or shirataki noodles.
• Fat: The fat content comes primarily from the butter and olive oil. You can reduce fat by using less butter or opting for a light butter alternative.
• Sodium: The sodium is moderate but could be reduced by using less salt in the recipe or opting for a low-sodium chicken broth to add flavor to the noodles.
• Vitamins and Minerals: This dish provides some calcium from the butter and Parmesan cheese, as well as a small amount of iron from the chicken. The addition of fresh parsley can provide a bit of Vitamin C.

Tips for Customization:

1. Add Veggies: You can add vegetables to this dish for extra nutrition and flavor. Try sautéing spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli and mixing them into the noodles.
2. Use Different Pasta: If you prefer a different type of noodle, you can substitute egg noodles with penne, fettuccine, or linguine for a different texture.
3. Make it Creamy: For a richer sauce, you can stir in heavy cream or half-and-half to the butter before tossing the noodles. Add a bit of Parmesan for extra creaminess.
4. Garlic Herb Butter: For more flavor, try using garlic herb butter instead of regular butter. You can make it by mixing softened butter with minced garlic, fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary), and a pinch of salt.
5. Grilled Chicken Version: For a smoky flavor, grill the chicken instead of pan-searing it. The grill marks and smoky aroma will add depth to the dish.

Conclusion:

Chicken with Buttered Noodles is a comforting, classic dish that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor. With tender chicken, rich buttered noodles, and just the right amount of seasoning, it’s a meal that’s guaranteed to please everyone at the dinner table. You can customize it to your liking, add veggies, or make it extra creamy, but no matter how you prepare it, this dish is a delicious and satisfying option. Enjoy!