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Peanut Chicken Noodle Bowls - A Cozy, Flavor-Packed Weeknight Favorite

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Noodles: 8–10 oz rice noodles, udon, or spaghetti
  • Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, sliced thin
  • Oil: 1–2 tbsp neutral oil (canola, avocado, or peanut oil)
  • Veggies: 2 cups total of sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, snap peas, or broccoli
  • Aromatics: 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated)
  • Green onions: 3, sliced (white and green parts separated)
  • Peanuts: 1/3 cup roasted, roughly chopped (for topping)
  • Cilantro: A small handful, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (natural or regular)
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1–2 tbsp lime juice (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1–2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1–2 tsp chili-garlic sauce or sriracha (adjust for heat)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/3–1/2 cup warm water (for thinning)
  • Bean sprouts, cucumber ribbons, or red cabbage (for crunch)
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Extra lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Cook the noodles. Boil according to package directions until just tender. Drain and rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking. Toss with a drizzle of oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
  • Whisk the sauce. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, honey, chili-garlic sauce, and sesame oil. Whisk in warm water a little at a time until the sauce is smooth and pourable, like heavy cream. Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, and heat.
  • Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken dry and slice into thin strips. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Stir-fry the chicken. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until browned and cooked through, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  • Sauté the aromatics. In the same pan, add a touch more oil if dry. Add garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  • Cook the veggies. Add your chosen vegetables. Stir-fry 2–4 minutes until crisp-tender. You want a bit of bite for texture.
  • Combine with noodles and chicken. Add the cooked noodles and chicken back to the pan. Pour in about two-thirds of the peanut sauce. Toss over low heat until everything is coated and heated through. Add more sauce as needed to reach your ideal consistency.
  • Finish and serve. Remove from heat. Top with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and the green onion tops. Serve with lime wedges and any extra sauce on the side.