Finding dinner ideas that please everyone at the table can feel like a nightly challenge, especially when you have picky eaters.
This recipe is designed to bring smiles to both kids and adults, offering a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare after a busy day. It’s all about simple ingredients coming together to create something truly delicious and satisfying.
This cozy weeknight meal features tender chicken, hearty egg noodles, and a rich broth, making it the ultimate comfort food. It’s a dish that’s both nourishing and incredibly tasty, proving that family-friendly doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavor. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Comforting Chicken and Noodle Dinner
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This comforting chicken and noodle dinner is a family-friendly meal featuring tender chicken, hearty egg noodles, and a rich broth. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights, and designed to please both kids and adults with its familiar and satisfying flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage, just browned. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. Saute the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, which usually takes about 5-8 minutes. The onion should become translucent, and the carrots and celery should be slightly tender.
3. Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the dried thyme and dried rosemary with the softened vegetables. Cook for another minute until fragrant. This step helps to release the aromatic oils from the herbs, enhancing the overall flavor of the broth.
4. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the browned chicken to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
5. Cook the Egg Noodles: Add the wide egg noodles to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, typically 6-8 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
6. Finish and Serve: If using, stir in the frozen peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle the hot chicken and noodle mixture into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: chicken, noodles, comfort food, weeknight meal, family friendly, easy, soup, hearty, one pot, dinner
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This chicken and noodle dish is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for families with diverse tastes. It’s a fantastic option for busy weeknights when you need a wholesome meal on the table without a lot of fuss. The combination of tender chicken and soft egg noodles in a savory broth is inherently comforting and familiar, making it an instant hit with children. Adults will appreciate the depth of flavor and the satisfying warmth it provides, especially on a chilly evening. It’s a complete meal in one pot, minimizing cleanup, and it’s versatile enough to adapt to whatever vegetables you have on hand. This recipe works beautifully as a comforting dinner after school or work, a nourishing meal when someone is feeling under the weather, or simply a go-to for a relaxed family dinner.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
This recipe relies on readily available ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or can easily pick up at any grocery store. There’s no need for exotic spices or hard-to-find components, keeping the preparation straightforward and stress-free. We’ll focus on fresh, wholesome ingredients that contribute to a rich, comforting flavor profile.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 8 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For simple substitutions, feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a slightly richer flavor. If you don’t have fresh carrots or celery, a bag of frozen mixed vegetables (without corn) can be a convenient alternative, though the fresh vegetables do add a bit more texture and flavor. Low-sodium chicken broth is recommended to control the saltiness, but regular chicken broth works too; just adjust the added salt accordingly. Any type of wide egg noodle will work, but choose a brand you trust for good texture. Dried herbs like thyme and rosemary are excellent here, but if you have fresh, use about three times the amount.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, making it perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence but you still want a homemade meal.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on your chopping speed and stove efficiency. The goal is a quick, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these simple steps to create a comforting and delicious chicken and noodle dish that your whole family will adore.
- Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage, just browned. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, which usually takes about 5-8 minutes. The onion should become translucent, and the carrots and celery should be slightly tender.
- Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the dried thyme and dried rosemary with the softened vegetables. Cook for another minute until fragrant. This step helps to release the aromatic oils from the herbs, enhancing the overall flavor of the broth.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the browned chicken to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
- Cook the Egg Noodles: Add the wide egg noodles to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, typically 6-8 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
- Finish and Serve: If using, stir in the frozen peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle the hot chicken and noodle mixture into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile chicken and noodle dish can be easily adapted to suit different preferences and occasions. For an extra boost of vegetables, consider adding chopped spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing them to wilt into the hot broth. If your kids are adventurous, a pinch of paprika or a dash of garlic powder can add another layer of flavor. For a creamier texture, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese at the very end, just before serving.
This dish is wonderful on its own as a complete meal. However, if you’d like to round it out further, serve it with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette, or some crusty bread for dipping into the delicious broth. For a fun twist that kids often enjoy, offer a small bowl of shredded cheddar cheese or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast as an optional topping. This encourages them to customize their meal and feel more involved. It’s also a fantastic dish for a casual family gathering or a cozy night in.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help ensure your chicken and noodle dinner turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Browning them initially and then letting them simmer gently in the broth is key to keeping them tender and juicy. Avoid boiling them vigorously for too long.
Another common issue is soggy noodles. Egg noodles cook relatively quickly. It’s crucial to add them only after the chicken has simmered for a bit and to cook them just until they are tender, following the package instructions. Overcooking will turn them mushy. Stirring them occasionally also prevents them from clumping together.
Under-seasoning the broth can lead to a bland dish. Don’t be afraid to taste the broth after adding the chicken and simmering for a while. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember that low-sodium broth gives you more control over the final salt content.
Finally, not letting the flavors meld is a missed opportunity. While this is a quick recipe, the 10-minute simmer after adding the broth and chicken is important. It allows the herbs and chicken to infuse the broth with their delicious flavors. Don’t rush this step.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This chicken and noodle dish is excellent for leftovers and can even be partially prepared in advance.
To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. The noodles may absorb more of the broth as it sits, so the texture might be slightly softer upon reheating.
For reheating, gently warm individual portions in a microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat. If the mixture seems too thick or the noodles have absorbed too much liquid, you can add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
If you want to make parts of this meal ahead of time, you can chop all the vegetables (onion, carrots, celery) and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. You can also cook and shred the chicken in advance. However, it’s best to cook the egg noodles fresh when you’re ready to serve, as they tend to get very soft and absorb too much liquid if cooked too far in advance and stored with the broth. If you do want to make the whole dish ahead, consider cooking the noodles separately and adding them to individual bowls of heated broth and chicken just before serving.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Can I use pre-cooked chicken? Yes, you can. If using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken, shred or dice it and add it to the pot during the last 5 minutes of simmering, just before adding the noodles, to heat through.
**What if my
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
