🛒 What You’ll Need: Pantry Staples, Maximum Joy

Grab these cozy ingredients—you probably already have most:

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

8 oz (225g) egg noodles (or sub with pasta of choice)

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

½ cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (for creaminess)

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh: peas, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms)

½ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp paprika

Salt & black pepper to taste

Optional upgrades:

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

That’s it.

No flour.

No canned soup.

Just real food, cooked into brilliance.

💡 Pro tip: Use rotisserie chicken to cut time even more!

🔥 How to Make It: Step-by-Step, Bite-by-Bite

Let’s cook this like we’re making edible confetti—one golden forkful at a time.

Step 1: Sauté the Chicken & Aromatics

In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven:

Heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add chicken pieces, season with salt & pepper, and cook 5–6 minutes until golden and nearly cooked through.

Remove chicken and set aside.

👉 Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if needed.

Step 2: Cook Onions & Garlic

In the same skillet, add onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until soft.

Stir in garlic, thyme, and paprika; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Noodles & Liquid

Stir in uncooked egg noodles.

Pour in chicken broth and cream.

Bring to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer & Tenderize

Reduce heat to medium-low.

Cover and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are almost tender.

Step 5: Add Veggies & Chicken

Stir in mixed vegetables and return chicken to the pan.

Continue cooking 5–7 minutes more, uncovered, until:

Noodles are al dente

Veggies are tender-crisp

Sauce has thickened slightly

👉 If sauce gets too dry, add a splash of broth.

Step 6: Finish & Serve

Stir in Parmesan (if using).

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.

Serve hot—with crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Bonus: Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave (add a splash of milk to refresh!).

💡 Pro Tips for Next-Level Success

Tip

Why It Works

✅ Don’t skip browning the chicken

Builds flavor fast

✅ Use frozen veggies

Saves prep time, cooks evenly

✅ Stir gently

Prevents broken noodles

✅ Make ahead: Assemble unbaked; refrigerate overnight

Saves time the next day

✅ Gluten-free? Use GF noodles

Still delicious!

🍽️ When to Serve These Golden Gems

🍲 Weeknight dinners with busy families

🏕️ Camping trips (with cast-iron skillet!)

🎉 Potlucks and holiday meals

🫶 To someone who says, “I don’t eat one-pot meals” —watch them ask for seconds

Because once they taste that creamy-chicken, veggie-rich magic?

They’ll be converted.

❤️ Final Thought: Great Food Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

You don’t need 17 ingredients or a culinary degree to make something magical.

Sometimes, all it takes is:

A few chicken pieces

A box of noodles

And the courage to say: “Today, I’m feeding my people.”

And when your partner says, “Did you get this from a restaurant?”

Or your kid hugs you after the first bite…

You’ll know:

You didn’t just make dinner.

You made love.

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