Cozy Up With Ina Garten’s Chicken & Buttered Noodles Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simplicity and satisfaction, and this comforting Ina Garten chicken with buttered noodles recipe delivers precisely that.

Tender chicken nestles perfectly alongside silky, butter-glossed pasta for a meal that feels both elegant and approachable.

Rich, golden noodles absorb the delicate chicken juices, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Garten’s technique ensures each bite remains moist and packed with subtle herb notes.

The dish comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for busy evenings when you want something delicious without extensive preparation.

Creamy, buttery, and wonderfully satisfying, this recipe promises to become a cherished go-to meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Ina Garten Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Onion Powder: Adds deep, subtle savory notes without raw onion texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances other seasonings.
• Black Pepper: Provides warm, sharp background heat.
• Paprika: Introduces mild sweetness and beautiful golden color to chicken.

• Chicken Cubes: Lean protein that absorbs seasonings beautifully, choose fresh boneless pieces for even cooking.

• Cooking Oil: Helps create golden exterior on chicken, choose neutral oils like vegetable or canola.
• Chicken Bouillon Powder: Intensifies meaty depth and adds rich umami undertones.

• Small Pasta Shells: Creates delightful pockets for sauce, ensures perfect texture when cooked al dente.
• Butter: Provides silky richness and luxurious mouthfeel to noodles.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty complexity and creamy finish.

• Garlic: Introduces intense, pungent flavor that complements chicken perfectly.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh finishing notes and beautiful green color.

• Pasta Water: Helps create smooth, clingy sauce with perfect consistency, starchy liquid acts as natural thickener.

Tools for Cooking Ina Garten Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing seasonings and coating chicken.
• Medium skillet: Essential for browning chicken to golden perfection.
• Large pot: Needed for boiling pasta and creating the buttery sauce.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for precise pasta water and ingredient measurements.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring noodles and mixing ingredients.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Cutting board: For preparing ingredients and chopping parsley.
• Chef's knife: Useful for cutting chicken and chopping herbs.
• Tongs: Helpful for flipping chicken and handling noodles.

Instructions to Make Ina Garten Chicken with Buttered Noodles

Cozy Chicken Skillet

• Seasoning Blend Prep

Create a delightful spice mixture combining onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika in a mixing bowl to infuse maximum flavor into the chicken.

• Chicken Sizzle

Heat oil in a skillet and gently cook chicken pieces until they transform into golden, juicy morsels with a crispy exterior.

• Pasta Paradise

Boil water with a touch of salt and cook pasta shells until they reach perfect tenderness, reserving some starchy cooking liquid for later magic.

• Buttery Sauce Creation

Melt butter in the same pot, adding garlic and a hint of bouillon for an irresistible aromatic base that will make taste buds dance.

• Noodle Fusion

Combine pasta with the velvety butter sauce, sprinkling in parmesan and gradually adding reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious coating.

• Final Flourish

Arrange the creamy noodles on plates, crown with sizzling chicken, and garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan for a restaurant-worthy meal that feels like a warm hug.

Cooking Tips for Ina Garten Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Experiment with different spice blends like Italian seasoning, Cajun mix, or ranch powder to add exciting flavor profiles to your chicken.
• Toast pasta shells briefly in butter before boiling for a nutty, rich undertone that elevates the entire dish's depth and complexity.
• Swap chicken for grilled shrimp, sliced steak, or roasted turkey to create delightful protein variations that keep the meal interesting and versatile.
• Fold in sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted bell peppers to increase nutritional value and add colorful, fresh elements to the buttered noodle base.
• Prepare chicken and noodles separately, storing them in airtight containers for up to three days, which allows for quick reheating and convenient meal planning.

Serving Ideas for Ina Garten Chicken with Buttered Noodles

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Crisp garden greens balance the rich, buttery noodles and savory chicken, adding a light, refreshing element to the meal.
• Add Crusty Bread Side: Warm, crusty bread helps soak up the delicious butter sauce and complements the pasta's creamy texture.
• Create Family-Style Presentation: Arrange noodles in a large serving platter with chicken scattered on top, letting everyone serve themselves and enjoy the communal dining experience.
• Garnish with Extra Herbs: Sprinkle additional fresh parsley or chives for bright color and a burst of fresh flavor that enhances the dish's overall taste profile.

Storing Ina Garten Chicken with Buttered Noodles Properly

• Maximize Meal Prep: Cook chicken and noodles in larger batches for quick weeknight dinners. Extra portions stay delicious when stored correctly.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Store cooked chicken and noodles separately in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Keep them in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Freeze with Ease: Freeze individual portions of chicken in sealed freezer bags for convenient future meals. Noodles freeze less successfully, so enjoy them fresh for best texture.
• Reheat Like a Pro: Warm chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of broth to prevent drying. Refresh noodles by adding a small amount of butter or pasta water while reheating to restore moisture and prevent clumping.

Comforting Ina Garten Chicken With Buttered Noodles Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

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

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Description

Scrumptious roasted Ina Garten chicken with buttered noodles emerges as a comforting classic from her Barefoot Contessa kitchen. Classic ingredients blend seamlessly, while home cooks can savor this simple yet elegant meal that delivers warmth on any evening.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 8 oz (226 g) small pasta shells
• ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) salted butter
• 2 tsps garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp chicken bouillon powder
• 2 tsps chicken bouillon powder
• ¼ cup (25 g) parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish (optional)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• parsley, for garnish
• salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Blend onion powder, salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika in a mixing bowl, creating a robust flavor profile for the chicken.
2. Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully place seasoned chicken cubes to develop a golden-brown crust, cooking 8-10 minutes and rotating midway to ensure even cooking and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
3. Pasta Cooking: Bring salted water to a rolling boil, add chicken bouillon powder, and cook pasta shells until al dente, reserving some cooking liquid before draining.
4. Sauce Creation: In the same pot, melt butter, incorporate chicken bouillon powder and minced garlic, then gradually introduce reserved pasta water to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
5. Final Assembly: Reintroduce pasta shells and parmesan cheese, gently tossing to combine flavors and adjust sauce consistency as needed.
6. Serving: Plate pasta, top with seared chicken, garnish with fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese, serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Seasoning Strategy: Mix spices thoroughly to ensure each chicken cube gets maximum flavor infusion and even coating.
• Searing Technique: Let chicken develop a golden-brown crust without moving too frequently, which locks in moisture and creates deeper taste profiles.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve cooking liquid as a secret weapon for creating silky, restaurant-quality sauce that binds ingredients seamlessly.
• Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat for chicken searing and monitor internal temperature to guarantee perfectly cooked, juicy meat without drying out.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg