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When my family wants pure comfort food, I whip up my Buttered Noodles with Chicken. The way the soft pasta soaks up the buttery goodness alongside well-seasoned chicken creates something totally wonderful. This meal has rescued many hectic evenings at my house and never fails to put happy faces around my dinner table.
Simple Dishes, Incredible Results
Through countless times making this dish, I've discovered that basic ingredients handled properly make the tastiest meals. The butter mixture turns into something special while the chicken adds just enough substance. This has become the number one requested dish whether I'm feeding my children or having pals over for dinner.
What You'll Need
- Chicken: Boneless skinless thighs are my go-to but breasts work great for a leaner option.
- Seasonings: My tasty mix of salt, pepper, paprika and onion powder really brings out the chicken's flavor.
- Pasta: I love tiny shells because they hold all that buttery goodness.
- Chicken Bouillon: This gives amazing flavor to both the sauce and pasta.
- Butter Sauce: Real salted butter, minced garlic and authentic parmesan create something wonderful.
- Parmesan Cheese: I always use freshly grated because it melts so perfectly.
Let's Get Cooking
- Start With Perfect Pasta
- Boil your noodles in water with a bit of bouillon for extra flavor. Remember to keep some pasta water before you drain.
- Season Your Chicken
- Sprinkle those spices on your chicken and cook until it's golden brown and juicy inside.
- Create That Sauce
- Use the same pan to melt your butter, cook the garlic and make that amazing sauce with a splash of pasta water.
- Bring It Together
- Mix those hot noodles into your sauce until they shine, then sprinkle with lots of parmesan.
- Time to Serve
- Place your tasty chicken on top of those buttery noodles and get ready for everyone to come running.
Different Protein Options
I often use plump shrimp or thin slices of beef for something different. My friends who don't eat meat love it with crispy tofu, and sometimes I throw in bacon as a special treat. That amazing butter sauce works great with any protein you want to try.
Storing Leftovers
I always keep my leftover chicken and noodles in different containers and they stay good for a few days. When I heat them up again, I add a little butter or water to make the sauce creamy again and warm the chicken slowly so it stays juicy.
Don't Toss That Water
That starchy pasta water is a treasure in my cooking. Just a little bit makes the smoothest sauce that sticks to every noodle. It's crazy how such a simple trick makes the whole dish taste so much better.
Round Out Your Dinner
We usually have this with some oven-roasted veggies or a crisp green salad on the side. Sometimes I'll throw together some quick garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. There are tons of ways to serve it but they're all tasty.
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Common Questions
- → Can I switch to other pasta types?
- Absolutely, most small pasta shapes will do. Go for twists, bow ties, or larger shells. Just cook them according to box instructions until they're still a bit firm.
- → What's the point of keeping pasta water?
- The pasta water has starch that makes your sauce smooth and helps it stick to your noodles. Just add a little at a time until it looks right.
- → Will chicken thighs work too?
- Boneless thighs are fantastic and turn out more tender than breast meat. Cut them into chunks the same size and cook until they're just done.
- → How do I keep the extras fresh?
- Pop them in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When warming up, add a tiny bit of water to make the sauce creamy again.
- → What goes well on the side?
- Try some steamed broccoli or a simple green salad. The butter sauce is also perfect for dunking some crusty bread.