Some days call for a no-fuss, cozy dinner that feels like home. That’s where quick chicken and noodles comes in. This dish delivers all the comfort of a classic chicken noodle casserole but comes together in a single pan, in less than 30 minutes.
It starts with cooked chicken, whether it’s leftovers from last night’s roast, shredded rotisserie, or a quick sautéed breast, whatever you have on hand will work. Combine that with egg noodles and a creamy, savory sauce and you’ve got a dish that tastes like it simmered all day.
The noodles cook right in the same pot with the broth, soaking up flavor while keeping cleanup minimal. A little butter, garlic, and onion create the base, and from there, you can add in simple pantry staples like cream of chicken soup or a quick homemade version made with broth, milk, and a touch of flour.
Feel free to make it your own. Toss in frozen peas or corn for a pop of sweetness, or stir in some spinach just before serving for a little green. Grated Parmesan or shredded cheddar can give the sauce extra richness and a hint of sharpness.
The beauty of this recipe is in its flexibility. It’s perfect for using up leftover ingredients, and it adapts easily to what you already have in your kitchen. You can even swap the egg noodles for another pasta or use turkey instead of chicken.
Quick chicken and noodles is the kind of recipe that becomes a go-to, simple, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable. It’s the answer to “What’s for dinner?” when you need something warm and filling, fast. Whether you’re feeding your family or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this easy one-pot meal delivers comfort without the fuss.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return to the skillet. Stir in the cooked egg noodles until well coated in the sauce.
- Serve the chicken and noodles garnished with chopped parsley.
This was super easy and delicious! My family loved it. Will definitely make again.
Simple ingredients, but somehow it tasted fancy! Bravo!
Quick n easy. Yeah, I like it.
This sounds super simple! Gonna try it tonight. Thanks!
Chicken tastes like rubber… did I cook it too long?? 😕
Quick and easy! Perfect for a weeknight. I added some veggies.
I tried this recipe last night and it was sooo good! Adding the veggies was a smart move! 🍽️
Quick and delicious! I added some veggies to it and it turned out great. Will make again!
Solid recipe, but I found 6-8 minutes per side was a bit long for my chicken breasts (they were thinner). Next time I’ll start checking earlier so it doesn’t dry out.
Ummm I made it and the sauce kinda broke? Like oily bits on top. I think my cream was too hot or I stirred too late. Any tips?
Quick and easy but lacked flavor. Next time, I’ll add some veggies.
5/5, would eat again. The garlic simmer step makes a huge difference. I garnished with parsley and it looked restaurant-y lol.
Yummy! But I used spaghetti instead of egg noodles and it was still good!
To be honest, I ain’t a fan of chicken, but this was okay. Kind of creamy.
Didn’t work for me, my chicken turned out dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? 🤔
Isn’t this too creamy? I prefer my noodles less rich.
Tastes like a heart attack in a bowl, but I ain’t mad about it. Haha!
Chicken cook time confused me. 6-8 minutes per side sounded like it might be over/under depending on thickness, so I used a thermometer and it was fine. Recipe needs that note.
Just made this, my whole kitchen smells amazing! Can’t wait to dig in! 😍
You forgot the peas! That’s a MUST for chicken noodles! Otherwise, it was okay.
I dunno, seemed a bit bland to me. Tried adding some spices but still not my favorite. Maybe I’ll experiment more next time.
This was fantastic! Quick and easy, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Definitely adding it to my rotation!
Sounds nice, but is it really that easy? I tried it before and it didn’t turn out as good.
I’m glad you loved it! It’s a lifesaver for busy nights. I sometimes add some veggies too!
I dunno, my noodles turned out mushy. Must be my fault. 😕
OMG, so good! I added some mushrooms and broccoli ’cause health, you know? Will definitely make again!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about the “smooth” sauce with just broth + cream + parm, but it actually emulsified well. Good weeknight recipe.
Too much work for “quick.” Waiting for noodles, browning chicken, reducing sauce… But yeah, it tastes okay. 3 stars.
This was so easy and delicious! My kids loved it, will definitely make again!
I followed it exactly and the sauce stayed a little grainy for me even when I stirred. Could be my Parmesan not melting right? Taste was still okay.
How do you cook egg noodles? Always mushy when I try.
Egg noodles mushy? That’s just wrong! I cook mine for 4 mins max and they’re perfect. Are you boiling water first? 🤔
You might be overcooking them. Try cooking them for a shorter time next time!
This is mid. Cream + cheese does not equal “fine dining.” Also why do we need salted water AND salt at the end? Seems redundant.
Made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! Definitely making it again!
This was sooo good! My whole family devoured it. Definitely a keeper!
I tried this and it came out a bit bland. I added some hot sauce, but still not my favorite. Maybe I did something wrong.
I followed the steps but my chicken came out kinda dry 😕. Maybe I overcooked or my skillet runs hot. Flavor is still decent though.
Chicken noodles! Enough said. ❤️
wut is chicken broth? can I just put water????
Quick and easy! I didn’t have egg noodles so I used spaghetti… still turned out good!!!
That’s awesome! Spaghetti works too! Cooking is all about improvising, right? 🥳
Way too salty for my taste—I’d reduce the salt in the broth or go easy on the “to taste” at the end. Otherwise it’s pretty tasty.
I dunno, sounds kinda basic. I mean, noodles and chicken?
I actually think it sounds delicious! Sometimes simple is best, plus it’s super easy to make on a busy night.
Made it for dinner tonight—quick, comforting, and the whole pan smelled amazing. I used pre-minced garlic and it still worked great. Will definitely repeat.
I think I burnt my chicken. It was kinda tough… maybe it was my fault?
Too greasy for my liking. Chicken was good but the sauce was heavy. Can’t say I will make it again.