One-Pan Chicken Noodle Skillet (with Mixed Veg)

This meal hits with the home-made vibes but gets it all done in one pan for the win! Sometimes we just want easy when we get home from work and have to make something. You can absolutely customize this one to your preferences, don’t like mixed veggies but peas you adore, go for it!

Serves: 4–6
Time: ~25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1–1.5 lb chicken (thighs are cheapest; breasts work too)
  (or 2–3 cups cooked leftover chicken/rotisserie)
• 2 tbsp oil or butter
• 1 small onion (optional but makes it better)
• 2 cloves garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
• 6–7 cups broth or water
  (water + bouillon cube/powder = cheapest)
• 8 oz egg noodles (about half a bag)
• 1 small package of mixed vegetables, approximately two cups.
• 1 tsp salt (start small if using bouillon)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Optional “makes it taste expensive”: 1 tsp poultry seasoning OR Italian seasoning, splash of lemon, parsley

Steps (all in one pan)

1. Brown chicken: In a deep skillet/Dutch oven, heat oil. Add diced chicken, season with salt/pepper. Cook 4–6 minutes until lightly browned.
2. Add onion/garlic: Toss in onion (if using) 2–3 minutes. Add garlic 30 seconds.
3. Add broth/water: Pour in 6–7 cups. Bring to a boil.
4. Cook noodles: Stir in egg noodles. Boil gently 7–9 minutes, stirring so they don’t stick.
5. Add frozen veg: Stir in mixed vegetables during the last 3–4 minutes.
6. Finish: Taste and adjust salt/pepper. Add seasoning, parsley, or a squeeze of lemon if you’ve got it.

Cheap add-ins that stretch it further

• A can of cream of chicken (stir in at the end) = creamy “chicken pot pie” vibe
• A handful of shredded cheese (off heat)
• A cup of milk + 1 tbsp flour mixed cold first (stir in, simmer 2 min) for budget creamy sauce
• Leftover veggies (carrot/celery) if you have them

Money-saving notes

• Chicken thighs + bouillon + frozen veg + half bag of noodles is about as frugal as it gets.
• If chicken is pricey this week: use 1 can drained chicken or leftover cooked chicken and add it at the end just to warm through.