Description
A simple and comforting meal featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served atop rich, buttery fettuccine noodles. This classic dish combines easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques for a delicious dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Noodles
- 8 oz fettuccine or egg noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt (for pasta water)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry using paper towels, then evenly season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to build flavor before cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest to retain juices.
- Boil the Noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine or egg noodles and cook until al dente, following package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the noodles, reserving a small amount of pasta water for the sauce.
- Make Buttered Noodles: Return the drained noodles to the pot. Stir in the butter and a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a light sauce that coats the noodles nicely. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken into strips or pieces and arrange it over the buttered noodles. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free meal.
- To reduce fat, substitute olive oil with a light cooking spray and use less butter.
- Leftover chicken and noodles reheat well and make a quick lunch or dinner the next day.
