There’s something almost magical about recipes that come together in a single pan. Less cleanup, fewer dishes, and more time to actually enjoy your dinner—what’s not to love? This One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles checks every box for a cozy, fuss-free meal that the whole family will ask for again and again.

The inspiration for this recipe came on one of those days where I opened the fridge and thought, “Okay, what can I make with what I’ve got?” A couple of chicken breasts, a box of egg noodles in the pantry, and a little butter and milk were all I needed. What started as a last-minute dinner experiment has now become one of my go-to meals when I need something comforting, fast, and delicious.

This dish is everything I want in a weeknight meal: creamy, buttery noodles; savory, well-seasoned chicken; and just enough richness from the Parmesan to make it feel special. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like you spent all day making it, but really, it comes together in under 30 minutes. Bonus? You only need one skillet, so your sink stays clean and your evening stays stress-free.

Let’s get into how to make it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Noodles and Sauce:

2 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
8 oz egg noodles
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional for garnish)

STEP 1: Sear the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts with a simple combo of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You don’t need anything fancy here—just enough to give the chicken some good flavor on the outside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken breasts. Let them sear for about 6 to 7 minutes per side. You’re looking for a nice golden crust and fully cooked centers. Depending on the thickness of your chicken, you might need to adjust the time slightly. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Don’t worry about it cooling down too much—we’ll add it back in later.

Quick tip: Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. If your skillet isn’t big enough, cook the chicken one at a time so each piece gets that nice sear.

STEP 2: Sauté the Garlic

In that same skillet—yes, don’t wash it! You want all that flavor from the chicken to stick around—melt the butter over medium heat. Add your minced garlic and sauté it for just 1 to 2 minutes. Keep an eye on it; you want it fragrant and just turning golden, not browned or burnt.

STEP 3: Add the Liquid and Noodles

Now pour in the chicken broth and milk. Stir everything together gently and bring it to a light simmer. This is going to be the creamy base for the noodles, so even though it looks a little thin now, trust the process.

Once the mixture is simmering, go ahead and add the egg noodles. Give them a good stir to make sure they’re mostly covered in the liquid. Let them cook uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The noodles will soak up most of the broth and milk while releasing some starch, which helps make the sauce extra creamy.

Creamy One-Pan Chicken and Buttered Noodles: Easy Comfort Food at Its Best

If you’re already loving how this recipe is coming together, just wait—it gets even better. By now, your kitchen probably smells incredible, and the noodles should be perfectly tender, soaking up all that garlicky, buttery broth. Let’s dive into the final steps to bring this cozy one-pan meal all the way home.

This is the part where it transforms from a simple skillet dinner into a full-on comfort food classic. The noodles get creamy, the cheese melts in, and that golden seared chicken comes back to soak up all the flavor. It’s the kind of dinner that makes you forget takeout even exists.

STEP 4: Stir in the Parmesan Cheese

Once your noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (but not completely gone—you want a little creaminess left), it’s time for the magic: Parmesan cheese. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan. The cheese will melt into the sauce, adding that rich, salty depth that makes every bite more addictive than the last.

Make sure to give it a taste at this point. You might want to adjust the salt and pepper depending on how salty your broth and cheese were. If it tastes a little flat, a pinch more salt usually does the trick.

STEP 5: Bring Back the Chicken

Take the chicken you set aside earlier and slice it into strips or bite-sized pieces—whatever you prefer. Then, nestle the chicken right back into the skillet, on top of the noodles. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so everything warms through and the chicken picks up a bit of that creamy, cheesy flavor.

At this point, your skillet is basically a full dinner just waiting to be served. Everything’s hot, creamy, and coated in that buttery, garlicky sauce.

Optional Finish: Add a Touch of Green

If you want to give it a little color and freshness, sprinkle some chopped parsley over the top right before serving. Totally optional, but it adds a nice pop and makes the whole dish feel just a bit more special—like something you’d order at a cozy bistro.

Tips to Make This Dish Even Better

Use half-and-half for extra richness: If you’ve got it on hand, swapping the milk for half-and-half will take the creaminess up a notch. It’s a small change that makes a big impact.
Watch the noodles closely: Egg noodles cook fast and can go from perfect to mushy quickly. Stir occasionally and check for doneness around the 8-minute mark.
Need more sauce? If things look a little dry before serving, just splash in a bit more milk or broth and stir it through. The sauce should be creamy but not too thick.
Add veggies: Want to make it a full one-pan meal? Toss in a handful of spinach near the end or stir in some frozen peas with the noodles. Steamed broccoli on the side also pairs beautifully.
Switch up the protein: Boneless chicken thighs also work great here if you prefer darker meat, and they tend to stay super juicy.

How to Serve It

This dish really is a meal in itself, but if you’re looking to round things out a bit, I recommend serving it with a crisp green salad or some roasted veggies. A side of garlic bread wouldn’t hurt either—because who can say no to extra carbs when butter and cheese are involved?

And don’t be surprised if you don’t have leftovers. But if you do, lucky you—this reheats beautifully. Just add a splash of milk when warming it up to bring back that saucy goodness.

Creamy One-Pan Chicken and Buttered Noodles: The Finishing Touch

We’ve seared our chicken, simmered the noodles, and melted that glorious Parmesan into a creamy, buttery sauce. Now that your kitchen smells like a dream and your skillet is full of comfort, let’s wrap things up with a few answers to common questions and some final thoughts on how to make this recipe a regular in your dinner rotation.

This dish is the kind of meal that feels both effortless and special—which, let’s be honest, is the sweet spot when it comes to weeknight cooking. Whether you’re feeding picky kids or trying to impress your partner with something delicious but low-maintenance, this one-pan wonder absolutely delivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different type of noodle?
Absolutely! Egg noodles give this dish a classic, buttery texture, but you can swap in rotini, penne, or even fettuccine. Just keep in mind that different pastas may change the cooking time slightly, so check for doneness as you go.

2. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can, though it’s definitely best fresh. If you do make it ahead, store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to bring the sauce back to life.

3. What if I don’t have Parmesan cheese?
No problem. You can use Romano or even shredded mozzarella in a pinch. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be creamy and satisfying.

4. Is this dish freezer-friendly?
Not really. Creamy noodle dishes tend to change texture after freezing and reheating. If you need to make it ahead, stick to refrigerating and enjoy it within a couple of days.

5. Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Definitely. Spinach, peas, or even mushrooms would be delicious here. Just add them toward the end so they don’t overcook.

6. How do I know when the chicken is done?
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer—chicken is fully cooked at 165°F. If you don’t have one, slice into the thickest part to make sure it’s no longer pink in the center.

7. What can I serve with this?
This dish pairs well with a side salad, steamed green beans, or roasted vegetables. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, garlic bread makes a great sidekick.

Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe

This One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles is more than just a dinner—it’s the kind of meal that makes everyone at the table pause, take a bite, and say, “Wow.” And the best part? You didn’t spend all day in the kitchen or end up with a sink full of dirty pots and pans.

It’s simple, it’s flexible, and it tastes like a warm hug in a bowl. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a hungry family, this recipe is the kind of reliable comfort food that earns its spot on your regular meal rotation.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know if you added your own twist—or if it was devoured just the way it is. Either way, happy cooking and enjoy every bite!

One-Pan Chicken with Creamy Buttered Noodles