This homemade Chicken and Noodles recipe is quick and easy to make for a creamy, comforting dinner. You only need a handful of ingredients, like egg noodles, shredded chicken, peas, and cream of chicken soup, to whip up these cafeteria noodles.

close-up overhead view of chicken and noodles in a white dutch oven.

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What’s in this Chicken and Noodles Recipe?

Pantry staples like chicken broth, bouillon, egg noodles, and cream of chicken soup combine with freshly shredded chicken, frozen peas, and butter to create a simple comfort food meal.

  • Chicken Broth: We cook the egg noodles directly in chicken broth to give them extra flavor! I like to use unsalted or low-sodium chicken broth to avoid overly salty noodles.
  • Better than Bouillon: A must-have pantry ingredient. You can find it near the regular bouillon cubes in the grocery store, and it just adds so much flavor!
  • Egg Noodles: I love wide egg noodles for their rich flavor, but you could use any short pasta shape you love! Just adjust the cooking time according to the instructions on the package.
  • Black Pepper: Adds a bit of spice.
  • Shredded Chicken: You can use homemade shredded chicken or a rotisserie chicken.
  • Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup: Makes this pasta dish ultra-creamy and enhances the chicken flavor.
  • Frozen Peas: Add a pop of color and sweet flavor. This is a great way to sneak in some veggies for the kids.
  • Butter: Helps loosen up the sauce and adds extra creaminess! Use unsalted butter to avoid oversalting the noodles.

Pro Tip: Feel free to add in extra veggies, like frozen carrots or corn, for even healthier pasta!

Variations on Cafeteria Noodles

This old-fashioned chicken and noodles recipe is so easy to modify for just about any diet! Use gluten-free pasta and cream of chicken soup to make it gluten-free. For a vegetarian version, use unsalted vegetable broth, Better than Bouillon Seasoned Vegetable Base, and condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup. Leave out the chicken, or swap in some roasted mushrooms. Try adding some caramelized onions for an even richer flavor!

step by step photos for how to make old-fashioned chicken and noodles.
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Is chicken and noodles a healthy meal?

Chicken and noodles are high in protein, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. However, it is also high in carbohydrates, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. This dish is best enjoyed in moderation.

Will noodles cook in chicken broth?

Yes! The chicken broth acts just like regular water, but it adds so much extra flavor to the noodles!

Can you make it ahead of time?

You can make these up ahead of time, but it will not be as good. The sauce gets very thick as the noodles sit, so you will have to add a little extra chicken broth to the noodles when you reheat them.

Should you use the no-salt-added cream of chicken soup?

This is up to your taste. If you don’t like it to be salty, you can use that kind. I don’t add any extra salt to the recipe, so I like the salt from the soup.

Can you use a different type of noodles?

Yes, but you will have to adjust the cooking time based on your type of pasta.

How do you thicken broth for chicken and noodles?

This recipe is thickened by adding the condensed soup. However, if your noodles still seem too watery after cooking for a while, you can thicken them by mixing together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water, stirring that slurry into the noodles, then cooking on low until it reaches your desired thickness.

Can you freeze chicken and noodles?

I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the sauce will separate as it thaws, leading to a gritty texture.

close up view of chicken and egg noodles with shredded chicken and peas

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store leftover chicken and noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pot set over medium-low heat, or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. I do not recommend freezing this dish.

Serving Suggestions

These cafeteria noodles are a complete meal all on their own, but they’re also great served with a green goddess salad or spinach bacon salad. A side of roasted Brussels sprouts, air fryer broccoli, or creamed green beans would also be delicious. And if you really want to put the comfort in comfort food, serve it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes.

three-quarters view of a serving of cafeteria noodles in a white bowl with a fork.
Recipe Card

Chicken and Noodles Recipe

4.88 from 8 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Author: Becky Hardin
featured chicken and noodles.
Chicken, noodles, peas, and creamy of chicken combine to make the most comforting recipe.
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Equipment

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Bring the chicken broth and better than bouillon to a boil over high heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
    32 ounces unsalted chicken broth, 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base
    chicken broth being poured into a dutch oven.
  • Add in the noodles and pepper. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cook for 5 minutes.
    12 ounces egg noodles, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    noodles and pepper added to chicken broth and bouillon in a dutch oven.
  • Stir the chicken, cream of chicken soup, and peas into the noodles. Cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
    2 cups cooked and shredded chicken, 10.5 ounces condensed cream of chicken soup, 1 cup frozen peas
    peas, chicken, and cream of chicken soup added to noodles in a dutch oven.
  • Mix in the butter and enjoy.
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    butter added to chicken and noodles in a dutch oven.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • You can use any short pasta shape you like; simply adjust the cook time according to the package.
  • Easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and gluten-free condensed cream of chicken soup.
  • To save time, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
  • For a vegetarian version, use unsalted vegetable broth, Better than Bouillon Seasoned Vegetable Base, and condensed cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup. Leave out the chicken, or swap in some roasted mushrooms.
  • Feel free to add more veggies, like frozen carrots or corn, to make this healthier.
Storage: Store chicken and noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving: 1bowlCalories: 680kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 38gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 903mgPotassium: 701mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 847IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

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Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.88 from 8 votes (5 ratings without comment)
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Janie Holley
Janie Holley
November 20, 2024 7:10 am

This is my new go-to Chicken n Noodle recipe. It’s so quick, easy and delicious. I added some fresh thyme to it when I made it today.5 stars

Nancy Lipe
Nancy Lipe
October 12, 2024 9:16 pm

I dint have better than bouillon…what could substitute for it?

Samantha Marceau
October 14, 2024 9:13 am
Reply to  Nancy Lipe

Hi Nancy, any kind of bouillon will work. 1 teaspoon is equal to 1 traditional bouillon cube!

Samantha Smith
Samantha Smith
September 16, 2024 6:08 pm

Delicious and so so easy! I added extra chicken and 3 cups of peas instead of 1, and my kids gobbled it down asking for seconds and thirds!5 stars

Debbie S
Debbie S
June 2, 2024 7:00 pm

This was delicious! Fast and easy. Comfort food at it’s finest!5 stars