If you’re craving a comforting dish that offers big flavor without fuss, this One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles Recipe is about to become your new go-to favorite. Imagine tender chicken simmered in a luscious honey garlic sauce, perfectly mingling with soft, slurp-worthy noodles all cooked together in a single pot. It’s convenience and deliciousness rolled into one, promising a soul-soothing dinner that’s ready in just about 30 minutes. Whether you’re feeding the family or need a quick meal after a busy day, this recipe checks all the boxes with its sweet-savory charm and satisfying textures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple staples that come together beautifully to create a dish bursting with balanced flavor and inviting aroma. Each element is essential, bringing a unique note that enhances the taste, texture, and color of your meal.
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs: Bite-sized pieces provide tender, juicy protein and absorb the sauce perfectly.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps brown the chicken evenly.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Gives fragrant, savory depth that’s key to the dish’s signature flavor.
- 1/4 cup honey: Brings natural sweetness that balances the salty soy sauce beautifully.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari): Adds saltiness and umami, enhancing every bite with complexity.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Creates a flavorful cooking liquid for the noodles and chicken.
- 8 oz egg noodles: Soft and tender noodles soak up the honey garlic sauce perfectly.
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme: Infuses an herbal note that brightens the richness.
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary: Offers a piney, aromatic depth that complements the garlic wonderfully.
- Salt and pepper: Season to taste, boosting all the ingredients’ natural flavors.
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional): Helps thicken the sauce if you prefer a heartier coating.
- 1 tbsp water (optional): Used to make the cornstarch slurry for thickening.
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional): Adds a pop of color and fresh brightness as a garnish.
How to Make One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper, cooking until they develop a golden-brown crust. This step locks in moisture while giving you that irresistible savory base that flavors the entire dish.
Step 2: Sauté the Garlic
Using the same pot, add the minced garlic and let it cook for about a minute. You’ll know it’s ready when the kitchen fills with a mouthwatering aroma that only fresh garlic can deliver, setting the stage for the honey garlic magic.
Step 3: Mix the Sauce
Pour in the honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, thyme, and rosemary. Stir everything to combine, allowing the mixture to gently simmer so all those flavors meld together beautifully. The sauce is the heart of this recipe, so don’t rush—let it develop its rich character.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles
Now, add the egg noodles directly into the pot. Stir them around to coat each strand with that glossy sauce. Cover your pot and let everything cook together for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This technique lets the noodles absorb all the garlicky honey goodness while becoming perfectly tender.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If you like your sauce a little thicker and clingier, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the pot. Cook for another couple of minutes, and watch as the sauce transforms into a luxuriously smooth glaze that coats every noodle and piece of chicken.
Step 6: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Return the browned chicken to the pot and give everything a good stir to combine. Let it simmer together for another 3 to 5 minutes so the flavors fully marry and the chicken heats through, bringing the dish to its final delicious form.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you wish. This colorful garnish isn’t just for looks—it adds a fresh hint that balances the rich, sweet sauce before you dig in.
How to Serve One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling freshly chopped parsley on top brightens the dish and adds a beautiful contrast in both color and flavor. You can also add a little crushed red pepper for some heat or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a juicy twist that lifts the honey garlic sauce perfectly.
Side Dishes
This recipe is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, consider light, crisp sides like a simple green salad or steamed broccoli. These add freshness and crunch, balancing the richness of the chicken and noodles.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dish family-style straight from the pot to keep things casual and inviting, or plate individual servings with a drizzle of extra sauce and a parsley sprig for a touch of elegance. For a fun twist, try serving over steamed rice or tossing in some veggies like snap peas or bell peppers to add vibrant colors and textures.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
One of the best things about this One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles Recipe is how well it holds up as leftovers. Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making for an even tastier next-day meal.
Freezing
If you want to keep leftovers longer, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. It freezes well for up to 2 months. Just remember that noodles can sometimes become softer after freezing, so slightly undercook them initially if you plan to freeze.
Reheating
To reheat, warm leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to maintain that perfect honey garlic glaze.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe because they stay juicy and tender, even with the quick cooking time. Feel free to use whichever cut you prefer or have on hand.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap traditional soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce substitute. Also, make sure the noodles you choose are gluten-free to keep the whole dish safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Can I add vegetables to the dish?
Definitely! You can toss in quick-cooking veggies like snap peas, spinach, or sliced bell peppers when you add the noodles to sneak in some extra nutrition and vibrant color into your meal.
What if I don’t have egg noodles?
No worries! Any pasta you love will work here, whether it’s fettuccine, linguine, or even small shapes like rotini. Just adjust cooking times as needed based on the pasta type.
How do I make the sauce thicker without cornstarch?
If you prefer to skip cornstarch, simply let the sauce simmer a little longer uncovered to reduce and thicken naturally. You can also mash a few noodles against the side of the pot to help thicken the sauce slightly.
Final Thoughts
This One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles Recipe is truly a shining example of how simple ingredients come together to create something magical in the kitchen. From start to finish, it’s comforting, flavorful, and downright addictive—perfect for busy nights when you want a homemade meal without the hassle. Give it a try, and you’ll understand why it quickly becomes a family favorite that everyone asks for again and again.
Print
One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with tender egg noodles. This easy recipe combines minimal cleanup with maximum taste, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Thickener
- 8 oz egg noodles (or any pasta of your choice)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening the sauce)
- 1 tbsp water (optional, for cornstarch slurry)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the chicken: In a large pot or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same pot, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Prepare the sauce: Add the honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, thyme, and rosemary to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Cook noodles in sauce: Add the uncooked noodles to the pot. Stir to coat the noodles with the sauce. Cover the pot and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and have absorbed most of the liquid.
- Thicken the sauce (optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water to form a slurry and stir it into the pot. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the pot and stir everything together. Let it simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through and coated in the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Chicken thighs offer juicier, more flavorful meat, but chicken breast works well too.
- If you want a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu and vegetable broth.
- Cornstarch slurry is optional but recommended if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Stir noodles occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking.
- Fresh herbs like parsley add brightness but are optional.
