Craving a delicious, satisfying meal that’s on the table in under 30 minutes? Look no further. These Garlic Chicken Noodles are the answer to your busiest weeknights, delivering a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked noodles, all tossed in an irresistibly savory garlic butter sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.
This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a flavor powerhouse. Forget bland, boring pasta. We’re building layers of deep, savory flavor that tastes like it has been simmering for hours. It’s the perfect simple, elegant, and incredibly versatile dish that your family will love.
Why This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is a Weeknight Winner
On busy weeknights, you need recipes that are reliable, quick, and delicious. This Garlic Chicken Noodles recipe checks all the boxes, making it a staple you’ll return to again and again.
- Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect solution when you’re short on time but not willing to compromise on flavor.
- Pantry Staples: You likely have most of these ingredients—like pasta, garlic, butter, and chicken—on hand already. It’s a dish born from convenience without tasting like it.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of savory chicken, rich garlic butter, and perfectly cooked noodles is a universal favorite. It’s a hit with both kids and adults.
- Incredibly Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to toss in your favorite steamed or roasted vegetables, like the ones in this Mediterranean roasted vegetables recipe, to make it a complete one-pan meal.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in using a few high-quality ingredients to their full potential. Here’s what you’ll need to create this amazing meal.
- Noodles: Spaghetti or linguine are classic choices, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape. Even ramen noodles can work in a pinch for a different twist.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, are perfect for this. They cook quickly and soak up all the sauce.
- Garlic: This is the star of the show. Use fresh garlic for the best, most aromatic flavor. We’re using a generous amount to create that signature taste.
- Butter & Olive Oil: Using a combination of butter and olive oil gives you the rich flavor of butter with the higher smoke point of oil, preventing the butter from burning while you sear the chicken.
- Chicken Broth: This creates the base of our sauce, adding depth and savory notes.
- Soy Sauce: A touch of soy sauce provides a wonderful umami flavor that perfectly complements the garlic and chicken.
- Honey: A small amount of honey balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and broth, adding a subtle sweetness that rounds out the sauce.
- Seasoning: Red pepper flakes for a gentle kick, plus salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish: Fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese add a final touch of freshness and salty, cheesy goodness.
How to Make Garlic Chicken Noodles: Step-by-Step
This simple process guarantees perfect Garlic Chicken Noodles every time. Follow these steps for a flawless, flavorful result.
1. Cook the Pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water—this is liquid gold for finishing your sauce later.
2. Sear the Chicken to Perfection
While the pasta cooks, pat your chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Create the Ultimate Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once it’s melted, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be very careful not to let it burn! Pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce, and honey. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained noodles and toss everything together until the chicken and noodles are completely coated in that glorious garlic sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the fresh parsley and top with a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese before serving hot.
Pro-Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
Want to take your Garlic Chicken Noodles from great to absolutely amazing? Here are a few expert tips.
- Don’t Burn the Garlic: This is the most important rule. Burnt garlic is bitter and will ruin the sauce. Cook it over medium heat just until it’s fragrant (about 30-60 seconds).
- Use Reserved Pasta Water: The starchy water from cooking your pasta is an incredible emulsifier. It helps the sauce cling to the noodles and gives it a silky, creamy texture without adding any cream. For another creamy pasta dish, check out this chicken garlic parmesan pasta.
- Deglaze the Pan: When you add the chicken broth, use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits (the “fond”) from the bottom of the skillet. This is where so much flavor is hiding!
- Fresh is Best: Whenever possible, use fresh garlic, fresh parsley, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The flavor difference is significant. If you love garlic, you’ll also love these homemade garlic knots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be a delicious substitute. They may take a minute or two longer to cook, but they will add extra flavor and richness to the dish.
The key is to use medium heat and stir constantly. Add the garlic to the melted butter and cook for only 30-60 seconds, or just until it becomes fragrant. If it starts to brown too quickly, pull the pan off the heat immediately.
Store leftover Garlic Chicken Noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth or water to a skillet over medium heat, then add the noodles and toss until warmed through. This prevents them from drying out.
This recipe is very versatile! You can add steamed broccoli, asparagus, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes. For extra flavor, try adding a splash of white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce.
Long pasta shapes like spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work beautifully as they hold the garlic butter sauce well. However, you can use almost any pasta you have on hand, including penne or rotini.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
If you loved this easy noodle dish, you’ll be sure to love our recipes for Cajun seafood alfredo and sticky beef noodles.
The Perfect Weeknight Dinner
This Garlic Chicken Noodles recipe is a true game-changer for busy families and anyone who loves a quick, flavorful meal. It’s simple, satisfying, and bound to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe
Garlic Chicken Noodles: A 30-Minute Flavor Explosion
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth, soy sauce, and honey. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained noodles and toss to coat everything in the sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
Tip 2: The reserved starchy pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles. Don't skip this step!
Tip 3: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
