One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles a creamy, comforting meal made in one skillet—succulent chicken breasts paired with tender egg noodles in a rich, buttery sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz egg noodles
3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the egg noodles, cover the skillet, and let cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the noodles are tender.
Once the noodles are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Add the butter and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Return the chicken to the skillet to heat through for 2 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm with extra creamy sauce over the top.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Prep time is about 10 minutes, cooking time is roughly 25 minutes, making the total time around 35 minutes.
Variations
I like to switch things up by adding vegetables like spinach or peas for some extra color and nutrition. Sometimes I sprinkle a bit of crushed red pepper for a slight kick. For a lighter version, I’ve used half-and-half instead of heavy cream, which still gives a creamy texture but with fewer calories. You can also swap egg noodles for fettuccine or even rice noodles for a gluten-free option.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I gently warm the dish on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to bring back the creamy consistency. This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the cream sauce, so I prefer to eat it fresh or within a few days.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and can add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the heavy cream with a coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative, and use a vegan butter substitute. Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor.
What type of egg noodles should I use?
I prefer medium-width egg noodles as they cook evenly and absorb the sauce nicely, but you can use wide or thin egg noodles depending on your preference.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and garlic ahead but I recommend cooking the noodles and combining everything fresh to keep the best texture and flavor.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. The meat should be firm but juicy.
Conclusion
This One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles recipe has become one of my go-to meals for a quick, comforting dinner. It’s simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and satisfies that craving for something rich and hearty. The best part is all the goodness cooked in one pan, making it easy to enjoy without spending extra time on cleanup. I hope this recipe becomes a favorite in your kitchen as it is in mine.
Recipe:

One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
A creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken breasts and tender egg noodles in a rich buttery sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
8 oz egg noodles
3 tbsp butter
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the egg noodles, cover the skillet, and let cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the noodles are tender.
- Once the noodles are cooked, reduce the heat to low. Add the butter and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Return the chicken to the skillet to heat through for 2 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm with extra creamy sauce over the top.
Notes
You can add vegetables like spinach or peas for extra nutrition and color.
For a slight spicy kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes.
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
Swap egg noodles for fettuccine or rice noodles for gluten-free option.
Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth or cream.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts, adjusting cooking time.
For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and butter with plant-based alternatives and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg