This one-pot recipe for creamy chicken with egg noodles made with just 5 ingredients (plus salt & spices) is the best for comfort food made easy!
JUMP TO RECIPEAnytime I want quick comfort food, this is my go-to recipe. I almost always have the ingredients in the pantry and a few chicken breasts in the freezer or fridge so when I’m craving something easy and comforting, you can bet this is what I’m making!
I decided to make it for you last Friday and was pretty bummed that the store-brand egg noodles I bought cooked way faster than the ones I usually buy so everything wasn’t as picture perfect as I’d hoped (the next time I make it, I’ll buy my usual noodles so you can see it in all its glory!).
I’d just finished taking the photos about the time The Angel Baby and The Boy would be rolling in from the high school down the road. As I was cleaning up, I blinked and EIGHT hungry teenagers were standing in my kitchen.
Evidently, everyone was hanging out at our house before the big football game which was totally fine except I wasn’t expecting them. These kids, especially the boys, have grown used to Ms. Mandy always having plenty of good food around so my heart fell a bit when I didn’t have anything to offer them.
You probably think I’m crazy for that but when you’re someone like me who genuinely loves to feed people, hungry teens are the absolute best people to have around your kitchen! Plus, I love these kids and have watched a lot of them grow up since they were in kindergarten.
I grabbed a loaf a bread and cheese and started heating a skillet to make them grilled cheeses and reluctantly lifted the lid on the Chicken & Noodles to see if anyone wanted some. Since they’re kids, the dish was almost cold and already not my best batch, I didn’t expect them to want any.
WRONG! Some started with a polite, I’ll try a little, others filled their bowls full, but by the time they left a few hours later there wasn’t even a broken piece of noodle left in that pot! God bless their little hungry hearts, they made my day!
HOW LONG DO THE EGG NOODLES NEED TO COOK FOR CHICKEN & NOODLES?
I’ve made this dish dozens and dozens of times in the past without jotting down the recipe. When I made this batch (with the purpose of documenting the recipe and taking photos for you) I used store-brand egg noodles and was shocked at how quickly they cooked and started to fall apart.
I typically use Mueller’s brand or No Yolks and have to cook the noodles about 5 minutes to parboil them then let them rest for another 20 until they’re the perfect texture. The store-brand noodles were practically disintegrating after cooking for just a few minutes (you can see that the noodles look overcooked in these photos… GGGRRRRRRRRR!!!).
I suppose it’s a good thing this happened to me, otherwise I would have written the recipe based on the better noodles and you may have ended up with a pot of mush and been cussing me if you used the store-brand noodles.
My advice is to use Mueller’s or No Yolks wide or extra-wide egg noodles because evidently, all egg noodles are not created equal!
IF YOU LOVE CHICKEN & NOODLES, CHECK OUT THESE COMFORT FOOD RECIPES TOO!
Carolina Chicken Bog - A one-pot recipe of rice, chicken and smoked sausage cooked in a flavorful stock made from slow-cooked chicken.
Homemade Chicken & Dumplings - An old-fashioned recipe for tender stewed chicken in a rich stock with soft dropped dumplings or use the same recipe for rolled and cut dumplings.
Southern-Style Crock Pot Chicken & Rice - An easy slow cooker recipe for a Carolina favorite made with tender stewed chicken and long grain rice.
Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup - An easy comfort food recipe for creamy chicken and potato soup that eats much like a chowder and feels a lot like home!
Crock Pot Chicken & Gravy - An easy and delicious slow cooker recipe for tender chicken with savory gravy perfect served over mashed potatoes, noodles or rice.
Recipe for Chicken and Noodles (Stove-Top or Crock Pot)
Chicken & Noodles (Stove-Top or Crock Pot)
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless chicken breasts
- 4 cups (32-oz) chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 10-oz cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 12-oz bag egg noodles
Instructions
- Add broth, water, salt and remaining spices to a large pot or dutch oven then mix well.
- Place chicken breasts and butter into broth, cover, then heat over medium heat until broth starts to boil. Reduce heat to low then continue cooking, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove chicken from broth to cool.
- Once chicken is cool, cut into bite-sized pieces or shred with two forks; set aside.
- Add cream of chicken soup to broth then whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil then add egg noodles and chicken.
- There’s no need for all the noodles to be submerged as they will sink into the broth as they cook and soften. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium, cover then cook for 2-5 minutes or until the noodles are approximately halfway done (too firm to eat but can be bent in half without breaking).
- Turn off the burner, keep covered, then let the pot rest until noodles are done and sauce has thickened a bit. The amount of time needed for the noodles to finish cooking can range from 5 minutes to 20 depending on the size, thickness, quality, variety, etc. of the noodles.
- Add broth, cream of chicken soup, water, salt and remaining spices to a large slow cooker then mix well.
- Place chicken breasts and butter into broth, cover, then cook on Low for 5-6 hours or High for 2-4 hours. Remove chicken from broth to cool.
- Increase crock pot temperature to High (if not already set there) and cover while chicken cools.
- Once chicken is cool, cut into bite-sized pieces or shred with two forks. Add chicken and uncooked noodles to crock pot.
- Gently stir to coat noodles. Cover then continue cooking for 20-40 minutes or until noodles are done, gently stirring once or twice to ensure the noodles cook evenly.
Notes
- Read the notes above the recipe about how long to cook the noodles before cooking.
- Do not prepare the cream soup first or add water to it. Yes, someone will ask.
- Feel free to use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking the breasts. Add about 1/2 cup more broth or water.
- Use whichever Cream of Something soup you like or combine two. Sometimes I make this with one chicken and one celery and I’ve used onion in the past too. I’m sure mushroom is great but none of my family likes mushrooms so I rarely use it.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
262.36Fat
14 gSat. Fat
7.03 gCarbs
26.41 gFiber
1.27 gNet carbs
25.21 gProtein
6.92 gSodium
726.31 mgIron
1.28 mgCalcium
24.1 mg
That looks like pure comfort food. I am not surprised the boys gobbled them up. I can't wait to make a batch.
ReplyDeleteThis is delicious! A little bit soupier than I thought it would be but so good!
ReplyDeleteAdd some corn start to some cold water and mix then add it to the soup. It will thicken up immediately!!!
DeleteHey! Don't feel bad, as "I too" got caught with using those "egg noodles they sell at the dollar stores....Grrrrr.Never again "just to save 75 cents....Thank goodness I "didn't have company that day, but I was still upset...Like "you" I show my love by "cooking", and I am the best cook, baker....My son is "grown now and a father, yet we still will have a "guys weekend here at "mamas' house" ...with the 5 guys he went to school with who "ate at our home "many many times"...Its "so nice that as "adults they all "want to spend time here with us.Though "grown men in their early "30's and early 40's...They are still "my extended children".Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhy the f*ck do you use SOOO many “quotes”????
Deletewhy would you even ask that ? find something else to do
DeleteThis is a general question, not supposed to be under anyone else, but I grabbed a "reply" button, where I found it. I am 70. Haven't had chicken and noodles since I was a teenager was a teenager... A greasy spoon cafe used to make them...They were he best..But the noodles did not taste like egg noodles. They were thick and doughy and awesome. So much better than egg noodles..Do you know what they would have been? I am guessing homemade out of flour. Can I buy noodles like that. I am very familiar with egg noodles. Eat them all the time with real Hungarian goulash (from an old country recipe). What are non-egg noodles? I know they have noodles in the store that are not egg noodles. I'll probably never again have chicken & noodles like that cafe used to make.😥
DeleteYes Rames frozen noodles.
DeleteSo good! A little soupier than expected but absolutely easy and delicious
ReplyDeleteThis recipe looks so delicious. Great meal for the fall. Make extra chicken breast and freeze them for another day when your to busy or to tired to cook a big meal. This one is good any time for any day meal. My sons would kill for a pot of this goodness.
ReplyDeleteJust curious: why does the chicken need to cool since it's going to be added back in and heated again? It seems like a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteSo you can handle it, but more importantly, so it won't be dry. If you cut into it when it's hot, all the moisture is released.
DeleteIts easier to shred & won't burn yourself
DeleteSecond time making this. It's so,so good !!
ReplyDeleteI made this last night OMG it was absolutely delicious and so easy! The only change I made was I only has onion salt so I used that and eliminated the plain salt. I will definitely make it again
ReplyDeleteThere is no onion salt to be added… just onion powder
Deletethat's all she had was onion salt.
DeleteI made this last night OMG it was absolutely delicious and so easy! The only change I made was I only has onion salt so I used that and eliminated the plain salt. I will definitely make it again
ReplyDeleteAwesome just made it for dinner tonight
ReplyDeleteCan this be cooked in an Instant Pot?
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe and believe it or not I used pappardelle pasta!! Nice and hearty and tonight I am trying mafalda ;)
ReplyDeleteChicken and noodles are a favorite at our house all the time. Yours look delicious. My mom always made them from scratch but I have never seemed to have good luck doing that. I use the Ramen frozen noodles and they always turn out. Your recipe looks so good right now because it is is cold, windy and blowing snow here today. I do have all of the ingredients, so this will be supper tonight. I'm cheating though because I have frozen rotisserie chicken breasts. Thank you for your recipe.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how many carbs is in the recipe?
ReplyDeleteWhy are u even considering carbs if ur cooking noodles, really
DeleteDepending on what brand of noodles and soups you use could change it, but when I put everything into MyFitnessPal, it was 36.3 carbs (1.7 g Fiber so 34.6 net carbs) when I considered it 8 servings.
DeleteMy kids and I absolutely LOVE this recipe! They get really excited whenever I tell them that I’m making it. I would imagine, though, that this would be pretty good with some carrots, celery, onions maybe. Would you have an idea of when would be a good time to throw in some chopped veggies? Maybe in the same time that the chicken is initially cooking? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you have time, I'd sauté them in butter then add with the noodles. If not, then yes, cook with the chicken. I'm so happy to hear they love it!! That just made my day!
DeleteSilly question, but if I’m using rotisserie chicken, I I still have to boil it or can I skip this step, shred it and add it in after the cream soup?
ReplyDeleteReally, what do u think!
DeleteUncalled for, don't you think.
DeleteMy husband grew on chicken and noodles and when I made this recipe he said it was just like from when he was a kid! 😊
ReplyDeleteAlthough, he always has to eat his on top of mashed potatoes! I skip the potatoes and the extra carbs. I use canned chicken to make it easier on busy days!
This was AMAZING!! I made it in the crockpot. The only thing I may do different next time is a little less butter. It was a hit with my entire family.
ReplyDeleteMade these today. Very very good. It’s difficult to find chicken noodles that aren’t soup. Saving this with a star beside it!
ReplyDeleteThis dish was so amazing, my family adored this dish. Talk about comfort foods.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mueller’s egg noodles weren’t available - I bought Mrs. Miller’s Old Fashioned Wide Egg Noodles. They seem a little thicker, will they soak up more of the broth? I noticed a comment that said it was soupier than expected - so now I am debating if I should use the whole bag (16 oz) instead of 12? Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteUse them all. Don’t add the water either and they won’t be as soupy.
DeleteGreat recipe but add a little more liquid
ReplyDeleteCan you and directions for this meal using an instapot?
ReplyDeleteFantastic recipe to end the year! I made stove top. I used the thicker Miller noodles & added a small bag of mixed frozen veggies, carrots & peas. My goodness it was absolutely delicious! We enjoyed with homemade biscuits on the side. 🤤 Thank you for the recipe! Highly recommended!
ReplyDeleteI’m late to this party, but glad I came! This was soooo yummy. I reduced the water just a bit in the crockpot, but followed all other directions exactly, adding sautéed mushrooms and onion. Wow! Thank you so much for this delicious dish.
ReplyDeleteI made this last night..what a great dish.I did use them store brand noodles so I only cooked everything for 4 minutes.I am definitely going to try your other casseroles..thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis was absolutely delicious and SO easy! It is one of our new go-to dinners for sure! I love that you included stovetop and crockpot directions. Thanks so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'm sure you don't mean to add the bad egg noodles! 😉
ReplyDeleteMade this last night. Oh, my goodness! Mandy, straight out of the ballpark! For those of you that said it was soupy, you have to let it sit and let the noodles absorb the liquid and get happy. I had the time to do it early, I know some people don’t! That’s the secret! Perfecto, I loved it.Thanks Mandy, you have your own folder in my email!😉
ReplyDeleteShould you remove the pot from the eye after turning it off at the end to let the noodles finish cooking? I would think it probably wouldn’t matter but I don’t want to overcook the noodles. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNo, just turn off the heat ;)
DeleteCan you use one can cream of mushroom and one can cream of chicken?
ReplyDeleteyep
DeleteI have this recipe for the crockpot from a different site, and tonight when i went to shred the chicken, I saw I had forgotten to plug the crockpot in! I needed a way to fix it fast, found this, and my husband liked this stove top method BETTER than the original way I had made it. I will use this one from now on. It's so simple, cheap and yummy!
ReplyDeleteSauteed some onions and mushrooms to the pan before adding liquids. Also cut the butter to just 2T. Had a leftover Costco chicken so in that went! Had the "fancy Amish noodles" so took a little longer since they are extra thick. Soo tasty! Served with some green beans on the side. Thanks for a quick way to use up leftovers!
ReplyDeleteSo delicious! I’ve made several of your recipes and they are fail proof! I use homemade cream of chicken soups so I knew my results might be a little different. I had a good amount of liquid once adding the soup to my pot so I reduced it by about half before adding the noodles. I agree with other commenters, you have to let this pot sit and rest. Don’t rush it! So flavorful and filling. Thank you for sharing your recipes. I have your first cookbook and think it’s just great!
ReplyDeleteI just want to use one large chicken breast as I am only making this for two. How should I adjust the other ingredients. Like how much broth and spices?
ReplyDeleteI'd halve everything else.
DeleteI'm wanting to do this in the Crock Pot. Can I use bone in chicken breasts for the added flavor? I won't leave the skin on as that may add too much fat.
ReplyDeleteSure, cook with the skin on then omit half the butter. You might have to cook the chicken 5-10 minutes longer.
DeleteThis is super tasty! It was way soupier than I'd have liked, so I added a corn starch mix. I also added half a ranch seasoning packet, which was SO good. Then we added a green chile hot sauce and wow 😍
ReplyDelete