Thermos Buttered Noodles With Chicken

Ingredients

Set up thermos buttered noodles with chicken for fills 4 thermoses, then keep the timing close to about 20 minutes.

• 12 oz egg noodles
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded or cubed
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

How to Make It

Keep the timing for thermos buttered noodles with chicken honest by starting with the step that cannot be rushed.

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the egg noodles until just tender, about 6 minutes.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles.
• Return the noodles to the warm pot and toss with the butter until it melts and coats every strand.
• Add the chicken, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a splash of the reserved water to loosen.
• Toss over low heat until the chicken is heated through and everything is steaming, about 2 minutes. Stir in the parsley if using.

Pack It Hot Safely

Buttered noodles dry out if they sit, so a hot thermos keeps them glossy and warm until the whistle blows.

• Fill the thermos with boiling water and let it sit 5 minutes, then empty it right before packing
• Spoon the noodles in steaming hot, straight from the pot, so they start well above 140F
• Keep hot food at 140F or above; a preheated thermos holds that heat for hours

Pack the Sides Separately

Keep anything cold or crisp out of the steamy jar so it stays the way it left home.

• Pack cucumber slices or grapes in a separate box
• Tape a fork to the lid so dinner is ready to go
• Send extra parmesan in a tiny container for shaking on top
• Serve with: cucumber slices, grapes

Parent Tip

A spoonful of reserved pasta water keeps the noodles from clumping in the thermos.