Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles Recipe

Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles is a classic recipe that can bring back memories of a favorite childhood meal. Straight egg noodles and small chunks of chicken cooked in a slightly creamy and thick sauce and served as a stand alone main dish or side dish.

In the Midwest it is popular to serve the noodles over mashed potatoes for a carb loaded comfort food meal. However, many people also like to serve it as a side dish with meatloaf or fried chicken.

Another way to enjoy this warm and satisfying recipe is to serve it in a bowl and eat it like a thick stew. No matter how you prefer to serve it, this hearty and delicious meal is both satisfying and budget-friendly.

That is because the base of this recipe is made from inexpensive pasta and chicken thighs. Then all that you need is chicken broth, condensed cream of chicken soup, and a few basic spices to get dinner on the table in under an hour.

And that is if you start with raw chicken thighs. If you use precooked chicken, you can have dinner ready to eat in only 15 minutes!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Nostalgia: For many of us, this dish brings back fond memories of a homemade family meal that we enjoyed as children. And for others it may remind you of family reunions, potlucks or gatherings where old fashioned chicken and noodles were guaranteed to be on the food table somewhere.

Comfort Food: Depending on where you live, this dish is one of the most popular comfort food recipes. This warm, hearty and satisfying meal has been made or served across the country in a variety of ways.

My personal favorite way to serve it is to pour the noodles over a serving of mashed potatoes. Yes, I will have to exercise for weeks afterwards, but the flavor and texture can’t be beat when you are looking for a comforting meal on a cold winter day.

Economical/Budget-Friendly Meal: Because we are using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs as the main protein the cost of this recipe is minimal per serving. In addition the other ingredients required are inexpensive as well.

Thick Consistency (Not Soup): Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles is not a runny, watery soup. Instead it is a hearty dish with a thick consistency that you can eat with a fork. Therefore this dish will leave you full and satisfied.

Ingredients Required For Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles

Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs: This is one of the most inexpensive cuts of meat. The bone and skin add depth of flavor to the broth, making it rich and savory.

Chicken Broth: Chicken broth is the base of this dish that gains even more delicious flavor as the chicken thighs cook in the liquid. Then the flavored broth is used to cook the egg noodles which gives them a ton of flavor.

Although you could make your own homemade chicken broth most of us will opt to purchase broth or bouillon cubes from the store. However be sure to opt for low-sodium broth to control the saltiness of the chicken and noodles.

Cream of Chicken Soup: This ingredient adds a slight creaminess and another layer of chicken flavor to the dish. It also contributes to the thick consistency that is desired in the final product. Again, I prefer to use low-sodium or salt-free condensed cream of chicken soup to control the salt content.

Egg Noodles: Egg noodles are a staple in this recipe, providing the perfect pasta texture. Although there are many varieties of egg noodles to choose from, it is best to use Kluski style egg noodles. These are straight band noodles that are broken into medium size pieces that are easy to eat.

However, if you prefer a thicker noodle choose the frozen Reames noodles that are found in the freezer section at most grocery stores.

Old Fashioned Chicken & Noodles Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
• 4 ounces dried or frozen egg noodles
• 5 ounces cream of chicken soup*
• 2 tablespoons butter
• garlic salt, to taste

*Use the remaining condensed cream of chicken soup to make Crock Pot Ranch Chicken and Potatoes.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Season each chicken thigh with salt and pepper on both sides. Then add the chicken broth and seasoned chicken thighs to a medium size pot. Place over medium high heat and bring the liquid to a boil.

2. Once the chicken broth reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let the chicken lightly simmer for 30 minutes.

Check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs with an instant read digital thermometer. The chicken is ready to come out of the broth when the internal temperature reaches 180°F when checked at the thickest part, away from the bone.

Then use tongs to carefully remove the chicken thighs from the liquid and set aside on a platter or a large cutting board.

3. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the broth back to a boil. Once the chicken broth is boiling add the old fashioned egg noodles and cook per package instructions.

4. While the noodles are cooking, cut the chicken meat away from the bone and discard the skin. Then shred or chop the chicken into small bite size pieces and return the meat to the pot.

6. Taste and add garlic salt and additional ground black pepper to taste. I also like to add a few red pepper flakes to give the old fashioned chicken and noodles a slightly spicy kick.

Serve immediately as a main dish or side dish.

5. Once the noodles are done reduce the heat to medium low. Add the cream of chicken soup and butter to the pot and stir until well incorporated. Continue to heat on medium low for 5 minutes.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a 4 days. However when reheating, add a little chicken broth or water to the dish as the noodles will have absorbed some of the liquid when stored.

Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles For Two is a simple, inexpensive and satisfying meal that is easy to prepare. It is a true comfort meal that can be served in a variety of ways and one that you will want to make over and over again.

Enjoy! Mary

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