01 -
First things first, pat your chicken dry with paper towels—this helps get a nice sear, trust me. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken. Don't overcrowd the pan; I learned that the hard way when my chicken just steamed instead of browning beautifully. Cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside, reserving those delicious pan drippings.
02 -
While your chicken is cooking, get a large pot of salted water boiling for your egg noodles. This is where I always forget to salt the water, oops! Remember, heavily salted water makes for flavorful pasta. Cook the noodles according to package directions until al dente, meaning they still have a slight bite. Drain them well, but reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water. You might need it later to adjust the sauce consistency, and honestly, it’s a lifesaver.
03 -
Reduce the heat to medium-low on your skillet. Add the unsalted butter to those glorious chicken drippings. Once melted, toss in the minced garlic. Watch it like a hawk here! That burnt garlic smell? Not what we’re going for in our creamy garlic butter chicken and noodles. Sauté for just about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, then pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is called deglazing, and it adds so much flavor!
04 -
Pour in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. It might look thin at first, but just trust the process. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into a smooth, luscious sauce. Season with a pinch more salt and pepper to taste. The aroma of this creamy garlic butter chicken and noodles filling your kitchen is just the best, honestly. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
05 -
Slice your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the cooked chicken, drained egg noodles, and fresh spinach to the skillet with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Toss it all together gently until everything is coated and the spinach has wilted. This is a beautiful, messy moment, honestly. Make sure every noodle gets a hug from that sauce. Sometimes I even add a little extra Parmesan here; you can never have too much, right?
06 -
Dish out generous portions into bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a bit of color and brightness. Taste it first! Adjust any seasonings as needed. Sometimes I add a little red pepper flake for a subtle kick, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up. This creamy garlic butter chicken and noodles is meant to be eaten warm, so dig in immediately and enjoy every comforting bite!