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20 Minute Sesame Basil Chicken Noodles. Is there anything better than a 20 minute dinner?! I don’t think so. This quick meal is made using a spicy sesame sauce, noodles, lots of veggies, shredded chicken, and fresh basil. It’s both healthy AND delicious, and is the perfect dinner for just about any night of the week. Bonus? Leftovers are great for lunch, warm or cold!
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And just like that the weekend is already over. Not sure about you guys, but I’m feeling ready for the new week ahead. We have so much coming up and I can’t wait to dive into another full week. Anyone else as excited as me or am I the only freak who loves a good Monday?
We spent the weekend picking fresh herbs, tending to cherry tomato plants, filming new videos, making skillet pasta, and baking peach shortcakes. It was the perfect mix of chill time, work, and even a little family time too.
We’ve been having an unusually warm summer, and while my house is hotter than most would prefer, I personally LOVE it and hope the heat stays around until at least the end of August. Since I know the warm weather may be short-lived I am just trying to enjoy these warmer days…leaving the windows open and soaking up summer.
No thoughts of fall until the end of August. Got it?
Anyway, with my house being a little warmer than usual, I’ve really been looking for summer recipes that are (practically) no cook, require zero oven time, and are super fast to make. Not going to lie, it’s not the easiest task and I have definitely been turning on my oven more than I should.
As I mentioned in Sunday’s post, I started work on a new project last week that has me cooking A LOT every single day. Some recipes are summery, but some are for fall and winter, so this means my oven has been running almost non-stop, and my house is consistently eighty plus degrees during the day.
It’s toasty for sure…
Thankfully, these 20 minute sesame and basil chicken noodles have become my go-to on days when I’m not cooking and don’t want to heat the oven up, but still want a healthy, homemade, summery dinner.
What I love most about this recipe is that it requires basically all pantry staples and vegetables that I almost always have in my fridge.
It’s a dinner I can truly make any night of the week and at a moment’s notice.
Here are the details.
Start with the noodles. If you’re looking to go the mega healthy route, you can use brown rice noodles, but honestly? I love using fettuccine here. It’s not Asian in any way, but man, it is good. They hold up much better than a rice noodle ever could. Just sayin.
While the noodles are cooking, make the sauce. It’s a tahini based sauce that’s flavored with lots of chili peppers, ginger, and garlic. It’s all made in the blender and then tossed together with the hot noodles, shredded chicken, and vegetables.
Add fresh basil and your dinner is complete.
You can seriously make this in twenty minutes, less if your vegetables happen to be pre-cut…or you have a sous chef helping you out in the kitchen.
Best part? These noodles are DELICIOUS.
Salty, spicy, a little sweet, creamy, basily, and all kinds of perfect.
I love using leftover chicken from grilling, but if you’re looking to do a meatless Monday style dinner, you can easily just omit the chicken or replace it with your favorite meat-free based protein, like canned chickpeas. Either way, the noodles will be great, as this recipe is really all about the sauce.
As for the mix of vegetables, I used bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and fresh mango (which, yes is a fruit, I do know this). Feel free to use you favorite mix of veggies or whatever’s left in your fridge. Make the recipe for best for YOU.
And that’s kind of it. A super simple Monday recipe. Love it.
If you make these 20 minutes sesame basil chicken noodles, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this quick recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
20 Minute Sesame Basil Chicken Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rice noodles or long cut pasta
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili paste, (I use sambal oelek)
- 2 inches fresh ginger, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 mango, sliced, (optional)
- lime wedges and toasted sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain.2. Meanwhile, combine the tahini, peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, ginger, garlic, and 1/2 cup water. Pulse until combined and smooth. 3. Pour the sauce over the hot noodles. Add the chicken, carrots, peppers, broccoli, basil, and mangos. Toss to combine.4. Divide the noodles among bowls and top with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Great flavors!! I also sautéed veggies first, added chunked onion and then
added the sauce to the warmed vegetable pan prior to topping on noodles. Yum!
Hey Steph,
Wonderful!! I appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! So glad it was enjoyed:) xT
I am really looking forward to making this tonight but can’t find tahini. Can I go without or will that ruin the recipe?
Hey Sam,
You’ll want to use something in place of the tahini like another nut butter! I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
So glad I made this recipe and was even able to find tahini at my local co-op! The only change I made was sautéing the veggies for a couple of minutes in sesame oil and soy sauce. It’s recipes like this that give me confidence in the kitchen!! This recipe will definitely become a staple for me.
Hey Sam,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xx
Giving this 5 stars with my tweaks as below:
Added about 1.5 tbs maple syrup
Added about 1.5 tbs rice vinegar
Switched the tahini and pb (that was an accident!)
Had to sub Bragg’s for soy (which I think is why I def had to balance the salt w added sugar and acid)
Loved the recipe – I never would have thought to use basil and it really makes it!
Hi Heather,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks for making it! Hope you’re off to a great weekend! xx
What happened to instructions #3 and #4? It looks like it was deleted, it goes from step 1, 2, to 5.
Do you stir fry the bell peppers, carrots, broccoli?
Hey Christine, so sorry, that was a typo. The recipe is all there and reads correct. Just stir the peppers, carrots and broccoli in with the noodles. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I make this recipe all the time. One of our favourites!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Susan! xTieghan
So delicious! Also feels healthy with all the vegetables! Make it for myself and my husband and had leftovers the next day, score!! Adding this into the regular rotation!
Thank you so much Paige! I am really glad this one turned out so well for the two of you! xTieghan
This was great. A nice post church meal when we were all starving. My oldest son enjoyed it and he’s never pleased with anything I make.
I made an excess of sauce so I will try to freeze for the next go. Appreciate the recipe.
Thank you!
Would it be too bland without the chili paste? One of my littles is super sensitive to spicy, so I usually just make the spiciness available on the side for those of us that want it, but some recipes really count on the spicy for flavor. Thanks!
HI! This will be just fine minus the spice! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! x Tieghan