Ina Garten’s Comforting Chicken With Buttered Noodles Recipe

Ina Garten’s chicken with buttered noodles represents comfort food at its finest, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal.

Her signature approach elevates classic home cooking with elegant yet approachable techniques.

The delicate balance of seasonings creates a harmonious blend that speaks to both sophistication and nostalgia.

Rich, golden-brown chicken pairs beautifully with silky, butter-coated pasta shells, promising a dining experience that feels simultaneously familiar and special.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes its unique character to the overall flavor profile.

The recipe’s simplicity belies its remarkable depth, making it a go-to solution for busy weeknight dinners or casual weekend gatherings.

Prepare to fall in love with this soul-warming culinary creation: your taste buds will thank you.

Recap of Chicken and Noodles Recipe

Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with Ina Garten’s chicken and buttered noodles masterpiece.

Savory seasoned chicken nestles atop silky pasta, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across palates.

Bouillon-infused butter adds depth and richness to each tender noodle strand.

Classic ingredients merge into an elegant yet approachable dinner solution for busy households.

Home cooks can elevate weeknight meals with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Passionate culinary adventurers, this recipe begs for kitchen exploration – snap a photo, share the deliciousness, and spark conversation about your delectable dish!

Why You’ll Love Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Elevate Flavor Explosion: The strategic blend of onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika creates a vibrant seasoning that transforms simple chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece, ensuring every bite bursts with bold, layered tastes.
• Master One-Pot Convenience: This recipe brilliantly uses the same pot for multiple cooking stages, minimizing dish cleanup and maximizing efficiency, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without extensive kitchen work.
• Customize Creamy Comfort: The flexible pasta water technique allows you to control sauce consistency, letting you adjust moisture levels to create the perfect creamy texture for buttered noodles, making each plate feel personalized and restaurant-quality.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, delivering restaurant-worthy flavor with minimal effort, ideal for families seeking satisfying meals during hectic weeknight dinners.

Everything in the Noodle and Chicken Combo

• Chicken Cubes: Tender protein that gets seasoned and cooked to golden perfection, best when uniformly cut for even cooking.

• Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper, Paprika: Aromatic spice mix that adds depth and flavor to the chicken, creating a well-balanced seasoning profile.

• Small Pasta Shells: Classic pasta shape that catches sauce beautifully, ideal for holding buttery coating.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for searing chicken with even heat distribution.
• Water: Essential for pasta cooking, helps create pasta sauce consistency.

• Butter: Rich, creamy base that adds luxurious texture and flavor to noodles.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that enhances overall dish flavor and provides a classic Italian touch.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Chicken Bouillon Powder: Concentrated flavor booster that adds savory richness to both pasta and sauce.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb that adds color and light, clean flavor to finish the dish.

Cooking Chicken Noodles the Cozy Way

Step 1: Prepare Seasoning Blend

Mix onion powder, salt, ground black pepper, and paprika in a medium mixing bowl.

Step 2: Coat Chicken Pieces

Toss chicken cubes thoroughly in the seasoning mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat cooking oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.

• Add seasoned chicken cubes
• Cook for 8-10 minutes
• Flip halfway through cooking
• Ensure golden brown exterior
• Check internal temperature reaches 165°F

Remove chicken and keep warm.

Step 4: Boil Pasta

Fill large pot halfway with water and add salt.

Bring water to rolling boil.

• Add bouillon powder
• Add small pasta shells

Cook until pasta reaches al dente texture following package directions.

Step 5: Prepare Pasta Sauce

Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain remaining liquid.

• Melt butter
• Add chicken bouillon powder
• Stir to combine
• Add minced garlic
• Cook for 1 additional minute

Step 6: Combine Pasta

Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water.

• Toss pasta shells
• Add parmesan cheese
• Mix thoroughly

Gradually add more pasta water until reaching desired sauce consistency.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Transfer buttered noodles to serving plates.

Top with seared chicken pieces.

Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

Add extra parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately while warm.

Tips That Make Buttered Noodles Sing

• Master the Chicken Temp: Use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, guaranteeing juicy and safe-to-eat chicken every single time.
• Customize Your Sauce: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to elevate the garlic butter sauce and add a burst of bright flavor.
• Quick Flavor Boosters: Sprinkle some toasted breadcrumbs or grated parmesan on top for extra crunch and depth of taste.
• Meal Prep Magic: Cook extra chicken and noodles to create delicious lunch leftovers that reheat beautifully with a splash of broth.
• Dietary Flexibility: Easily adapt this recipe for gluten-free or dairy-free diets by swapping ingredients without compromising on deliciousness.

Keeping That Comfort Food Fresh

• Vacuum-Sealed Preservation: Extract air completely from sealed bags using a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor integrity. This method locks in moisture and prevents potential bacterial growth, extending dish lifespan significantly.
• Portion-Controlled Packaging: Divide chicken and noodles into individual serving sizes before storing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers to ensure easy reheating and minimal waste.
• Temperature-Controlled Storage: Keep refrigerated dishes between 35-40°F to slow bacterial multiplication. Always cool chicken and noodles to room temperature before sealing containers, preventing condensation that could compromise food quality.

Ways to Change Up This Classic

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Noodles: Replace onion powder with dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a fresh Mediterranean flavor profile. Swap parmesan for crumbled feta cheese and add diced sun-dried tomatoes to the noodles for extra zest.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Pasta: Incorporate chili powder and cumin into the chicken seasoning mix. Add diced jalapeños to the butter sauce and top with chopped cilantro. Mix in some black beans and corn kernels for a hearty southwestern spin.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Shells: Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms with the garlic before adding butter sauce. Replace parmesan with a splash of heavy cream and sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves. Incorporate sautéed mushrooms directly into the noodle mixture for an earthy, rich flavor.
• Asian-Inspired Sesame Chicken Noodles: Season chicken with garlic powder and ginger. Replace butter sauce with a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic Asian-style finish.

Ina Garten Chicken With Buttered Noodles Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken with buttered noodles brings comfort straight from her Hamptons kitchen to dinner tables nationwide. Juicy roasted chicken nestles alongside silky egg noodles, creating a classic American dish that delivers pure culinary satisfaction for home cooks seeking delicious simplicity.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 pound (453 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced

Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces (226 g) small pasta shells
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) salted butter
• ¼ cup (25 g) parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish (optional)
• parsley, for garnish
• salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Create a zesty seasoning blend by combining onion powder, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and sweet paprika in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken cubes with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
3. Warm olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers slightly.
4. Carefully place seasoned chicken cubes into the hot skillet, allowing them to sear and develop a golden-brown exterior.
5. Cook chicken for 8-10 minutes, rotating pieces midway to ensure uniform cooking and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. Transfer cooked chicken to a warm plate, keeping it heated while preparing remaining components.
7. Fill a large pot with 6 quarts (5.7 liters) of water and add of kosher salt.
8. Bring water to a rolling boil, then sprinkle in chicken bouillon powder.
9. Add small pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until they reach an al dente texture.
10. Carefully extract of pasta cooking liquid before draining the remaining contents.
11. In the same pot, melt unsalted butter and incorporate chicken bouillon powder, creating a rich base.
12. Introduce minced garlic and sauté for approximately 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic qualities.
13. Gradually introduce ½ cup (120 milliliters) of reserved pasta water, stirring to create a smooth sauce.
14. Reintroduce cooked pasta shells and grated parmesan cheese, gently tossing to combine flavors.
15. Adjust sauce consistency by incrementally adding remaining pasta water until desired creaminess is achieved.
16. Artfully plate pasta, arranging seared chicken on top of the noodles.
17. Garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving immediately.

Notes

• Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe, juicy results without drying out the meat.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or cayenne, making the dish as mild or spicy as your taste buds desire.
• Easily transform this recipe into a gluten-free or dairy-free meal by swapping key ingredients without compromising flavor.
• Revive leftovers by adding a splash of pasta water or broth, restoring the sauce’s creamy texture and preventing toughness.
• Experiment with sauce thickness by mixing cornstarch slurry or stirring in cream for a richer, more luxurious consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 693 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1143 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 116 mg