Description

This Broccoli Cheddar Noodle Skillet is a comforting and hearty one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, wide egg noodles, and sharp cheddar cheese all simmered together in a creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines sautéing, simmering, and optional oven-broiling to achieve a melty, bubbly cheesy topping everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Vegetables

¾ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped

Dairy and Cheese

2 tablespoons butter
2 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided into 1 cup and 1 cup)

Pantry Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 lb wide egg noodles
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chopped chicken pieces, season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook until the chicken is golden brown on all sides.
Add Seasonings and Liquids: Stir in the butter, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper if using. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and whole milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cook Noodles and Broccoli: Add the wide egg noodles and broccoli florets to the skillet. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Continue simmering, stirring often, until the noodles and chicken are fully cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Melt Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts fully into the sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste. Then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Cover the skillet and let it rest off the heat until the cheese melts.
Optional Broil for Topping: For a browned and bubbly cheese topping, place the uncovered skillet under the broiler or bake it in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

Using wide egg noodles helps them hold up well in the creamy sauce without getting mushy.
Cayenne pepper is optional for a subtle kick; omit if you prefer mild flavors.
If you don’t have a broiler, baking at 425°F will similarly melt and brown the cheese topping.
This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger group.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.