These quick, easy and delicious peanut noodles combine Asian noodles with chicken, vegetables and a spicy peanut sauce. A great weeknight meal.
When it comes to a quick and easy dinner, noodles are a regular go-to for me and spicy peanut noodles are a favourite. A quick and easy noodle stir fry is also a great way to clean up odds and end of vegetables or cooked, leftover meat. .
For this easy dinner recipe, noodles combine with an assortment of vegetables, a bit of chicken and a spicy peanut sauce. Use what you have around for the noodles, though for the quickest and easiest meal, go for noodles that require only a soaking in hot water, such as udon, ramen or thin rice noodles. Then grab whatever vegetables you have around and throw them in the pan as well. Pour the easy peanut sauce over-top and cook a few minutes more, then you're ready to enjoy.
Ingredients
- Asian Noodles
- Assorted Vegetables
- Chicken
For the sauce, you will need ...
- Creamy peanut butter
- Water
- Soy sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Ginger paste - or minced fresh ginger
- Brown sugar - or honey
- Asian Chili Garlic sauce
See the Tips section below for some ingredient options and substitution suggestions.
For serving ...
- More green onion
- Chopped peanuts
Tips
- For the quickest dinner, go for noodles that only need to soak in hot or boiling water before using, such as shelf-stable or frozen udon, ramen or chow mein noodles or thin rice noodles. Simply soak until tender, from just a couple of minutes up to 20-25 minutes, depending on the noodle.
- Control the heat of the dish by adjusting the amount of Asian Chili Garlic Sauce you add. I find a nice, rounded tablespoon about right. You could also use Sambal Oelek, but it is spicier, so start with just a teaspoon and go from there. Sriracha is an option, though I find, while you get the heat, you don't really get the nice flavours of the other sauces.
- If your noodles get thick and sticky, add a splash of hot water to the pot and toss to loosen.
- Use whatever vegetables you have around for this dish. Some good options are carrots, broccoli, green onion, bell pepper, spinach, cabbage and/or bean sprouts. To keep this dish quick and easy, cut longer cooking vegetables, such as carrots, into very small pieces such as matchsticks, or use spiralized carrots (chopped into smaller pieces, if necessary), which is not only easier and quicker to prepare, but will cook much more quickly.
- You can replace the water in the sauce with chicken broth, if you like, for even more flavour.
- For a vegetarian dish, just skip the chicken or replace with tofu, if you like.
- I haven't tested this dish with natural peanut butter. It may change the consistency of the sauce somewhat, so you may need to add more liquid to the pan.
Recipe
Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken
A quick and easy noodle dish, with noodles, vegetables and chicken, all cooked in a spicy peanut sauce. Great use for leftover cooked chicken.
Ingredients
- 14 oz Asian noodles, see Note 1
- 2 cups assorted fresh vegetables, spiralized carrot, sliced cabbage, spinach, green onion, sliced bell pepper
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces *See Note 2
- Cooking oil
Spicy Peanut sauce:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, *See Note 3
- 1/2 cup water, or See Note 4
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce, low sodium recommended
- 2 tsp rice wine vinegar, seasoned or unseasoned
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp ginger paste, or 1 tsp minced fresh ginger
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar, or 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp Asian Chili Garlic Sauce, plus more to taste
For Garnish:
- Additional sliced green onion sliced
- 2-3 Tbsp chopped peanuts, optional
Instructions
- Soak your noodles in boiling or very hot water to soften. Depending on the type of noodle, it will take anywhere from 5 minutes to 25 minutes. Refer to the package directions for guidance on timing. Drain well before adding to the pan.
- Prepare the sauce by whisking together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat on the stove-top. Add a splash of oil to the hot pan. If using fresh chicken, add to the pan and cook, stirring, until it is cooked through. Remove to a plate. Add a bit more oil to the pan. Add the assorted vegetables and cook, stirring, until just tender. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the soaked noodles and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds, to cook off any water. Add the sauce and toss to combine. Cook until the sauce is warmed and nicely coats the noodles.
- Serve immediately, topped with additional sliced green onion and chopped peanuts, if desired.
Notes
1. I love to use shelf-stable udon noodles (the ones in the individual vacuum-packed packages. Use 2 or 3 of the individual packages. Frozen noodles are also great, ramen, or thin rice noodles. In all cases, I soak in boiling (or very hot) water until tender, before adding to the pan. The length of time to soak will vary depending on the noodles, anywhere from 2 minutes to 25 minutes. Just do a quick taste test to be sure they are softened to al dente.
2. This dish is a great use for left-over cooked chicken. Simply dice it up and toss it in the hot pan. Or you can skip the chicken entirely, if you like. Still delicious and vegetarian, too.
3. I haven't tested this recipe with natural peanut butter. I suspect it will work, though it may need additional liquid to loosen up the sauce.
4. You can replace the water with chicken broth if you like, for even more flavour.
Nutrition
Calories: 533kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 40gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1318mgPotassium: 851mgFiber: 6gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 10726IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
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Kris Ritter says
The sauce is phenomenal and we adjusted the amount of garlic chili sauce for more heat and added some cilantro as a topper. We also substituted shrimp for the chicken and used mushrooms, red peppers, and prepacked coleslaw mix cabbage/carrots which all worked wonderfully to bulk up the meal and made for excellent leftovers the next day. Thank you for the recipe!
Jennifer says
Sounds delicious, Kris :) Thanks so much!
Cheryl R says
I made this with Costco's Kirkland natural peanut butter. The result was too heavy, peanutty, and cloying. A 1/4 cup might have been enough. Surprisingly the leftovers next day were much better, not as peanutty, and with some added water very good. I would use regular smooth peanut butter next time.
Jennifer says
Hi Cheryl and yes, I addressed natural peanut butter in Note 3 in the Recipe Card. Its thicker consistency needs added liquid (broth or water) to loosen it.
Sadie says
Excellent. Made this without the chicken and it's delicious. Followed the recipe without any changes to the sauce, but subbed spaghettiini for the noodles, and used an assortment of broccoli, snow peas, cauliflower, cremini mushrooms, green onions, and zucchini for the veggies. The next time I make this I'll reserve a bit of the pasta water to add once the pasta and veggies have been combined.
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it, Sadie :) Thanks so much!
Tricia B says
This is the dish I've been looking for! Seriously, with the ginger, peanut butter and noodles, it has been on my mind for ages. Thank you for this recipe - can't wait to try it!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia and yes, this is my favourite peanut sauce for noodles :)
Candace says
Can't wait to try this with ground pork!
Jennifer says
It would be great with ground pork! Enjoy :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
We'd enjoy it with or without the chicken Jennifer! Such a flavorful dish!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann and yes, I love it both ways :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
We love peanut noodles in our home and have on the regular! This is seriously making me crave some right now! Looks awesome :)
Jennifer says
Same here! It's in regular rotation here, too :)
Milena says
I love this dish! The flavors are so vibrant and I can see myself varying the noodles as an excuse to make it more often.
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena and yes, this is also the perfect dish for using up bits of things - noodles, meat and veg :)