Savory Chicken with Buttered Noodles

Buttered Noodles with Chicken brings together comfort and ease in one dish. The tender chunks of seasoned chicken mixed with soft pasta in a rich buttery garlic sauce topped with parmesan makes an incredible meal. Whenever I need something tasty but straightforward, this dish never lets me down and gets gobbled up immediately at dinnertime.

I first whipped this up when I was behind schedule with starving children wandering around the kitchen and only had chicken and pasta available. After seeing their empty plates, I knew I'd stumbled onto something worth making again and again.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Make sure they're fresh and wipe them dry for better browning
• Onion powder: Adds a gentle savory kick throughout the dish
• Kosher salt: Don't skimp here for maximum flavor
• Black pepper: Grind it fresh for extra aroma and slight heat
• Paprika: Brings nice color and depth – I grab smoked variety but sweet works too
• Extra virgin olive oil: Pick something decent for cooking the chicken and adding richness
• Small pasta shells: They hold the sauce wonderfully though rotini or egg noodles can stand in
• Chicken bouillon powder: Amps up flavor in both pasta and sauce – choose your favorite brand
• Salt: Crucial for pasta water and cutting through the richness
• Salted butter: The star of the sauce – stick with real butter instead of substitutes
• Garlic minced: Go with fresh for the strongest smell and taste
• Parmesan cheese: Gives a tangy punch to the sauce plus more for topping
• Parsley: Adds freshness at the end – flat-leaf tastes better if you can get it
• Salt and pepper: Sample before serving and tweak if needed

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep and Season the Chicken:

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes and mix them with onion powder kosher salt black pepper and paprika Make sure seasoning covers all pieces evenly so every bite tastes amazing

Cook the Chicken:

Warm a medium skillet over medium heat and pour in olive oil Wait until it's hot enough that chicken sizzles when added Place seasoned chicken pieces in one layer Cook for 8-10 minutes turning pieces once halfway until golden and fully cooked Take out of the pan and cover to keep moist

Cook the Pasta:

Get a big pot half-filled with water and heat until boiling Add salt and chicken bouillon powder then drop in pasta shells Cook until slightly firm Watch cooking time on package to avoid mushiness Save a cup of cooking water before draining

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:

Using the same pot you cooked pasta in melt butter with chicken bouillon powder for extra flavor Toss in minced garlic and cook about 60 seconds just long enough to smell good without turning brown

Combine Everything:

Add half cup of saved pasta water and stir well to make a smooth sauce Put back the drained noodles and parmesan cheese Gently toss until noodles look shiny and coated Pour in more pasta water if sauce seems too thick

Serve and Finish:

Scoop buttery noodles onto plates Add chicken pieces on top Sprinkle with extra parmesan and fresh parsley for pop of color and taste Eat while hot for best experience

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I can't make this without tons of parmesan cheese The nutty salty flavor really makes everything better and watching my kid sneak extra handfuls at the table always makes me chuckle This meal somehow gets everyone to slow down and enjoy dinner together even on our craziest nights

Storage Tips

Keep any extras in a sealed container in your fridge where they'll stay good for three days When you want to eat them again splash in a bit of water and warm gently on the stove to bring the sauce back to life The chicken stays juicy if you don't heat it too long

Ingredient Substitutions

Out of chicken breasts? Go with chopped thighs or leftover rotisserie chicken Toss in some broccoli or peas for color and nutrition Can't find parmesan? Asiago or romano work great too

Serving Suggestions

Serve alongside a simple green salad or quick green beans My family loves having warm rolls or garlic bread too since they're perfect for soaking up all that tasty butter sauce

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A Little History

Folks have enjoyed buttered noodles as comfort food forever Adding chicken and cheese turns this simple side into a full meal that's perfect for family dinners My grandma used to cook this for our Sunday lunches and just smelling it cooking always felt like coming home

Common Questions

→ How do I keep the chicken juicy and not dry?

Don't cook the chicken too long. Cook the seasoned pieces just until they hit 165°F and then let them sit under some loose foil to trap moisture.

→ What type of pasta works best?

The recipe uses small shells because they trap the yummy garlic butter sauce nicely, but you can swap in rotini or penne if that's what you have.

→ Can I add vegetables for extra flavor?

You bet. Toss in some cooked spinach, green peas, or tender broccoli with your noodles to add color and make it healthier.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Let everything cool down first, then put it in a sealed container and pop it in the fridge. Warm it up slowly on the stove or in your microwave, adding a bit of water if it seems dry.

→ Is the dish very rich?

The buttery mix gets balanced out by the punch of garlic, cheese, and fresh parsley, but you can always cut back on butter if you want something lighter.