Next Post
One Skillet Buffalo Ranch Chicken Enchilada Bake.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Better For You Chicken and Spinach Ramen. Make this on nights when you want something cozy like ramen, but need something healthier too. This homemade ramen is simple and delicious. All made in the instant pot – with crockpot and stove top directions too. Made using wholesome ingredients and the simplest process. This dish is filled with veggies, chicken, and yummy brown rice ramen noodles. Wonderful on cold chilly nights.
I think I make a new ramen recipe every year, it’s my favorite dinner to make at home. Especially once the weather turns cold and the days begin to become shorter.
It’s so warming and comforting!
But the funny thing? There are a handful of recipes I turn to time after time because they’ve become staples in my kitchen. And this ramen is one of those staples! I created this recipe back in 2017 and I still make it to this day!
We just love it. It’s simple and super quick, wholesome, and most important of all, delicious. My mom and I actually crave the soup once the weather turns chilly enough for the first frost.
Originally when I created the recipe, using the Instant pot was all the rage. Do you remember when it was really having its moment?
I don’t use the instant pot as often these days, but I will say it does work nicely for this ramen. That said, I have provided the stove top and crockpot variations as well. As always, I want to make sure we can all enjoy a yummy, healthy, ramen dish like this!
Nothing has changed about this recipe except that I’ll now often add honey-roasted squash to each steaming bowl.
Start out by cooking the bacon. Get it all crisped up. The bacon is used for flavor and nothing else. You’ll only need 2 strips, but of course, if you prefer to not use bacon, you can easily omit it.
From here, basically everything goes into the pot. I like to toss in the mushrooms, then fresh ginger and garlic. I then add red curry paste for heat and flavor.
For the liquids – broth, tamari (gluten-free sauce), and rice vinegar. Then mix in the chicken, dried mushrooms (they’ll add so much flavor to the broth), and acorn squash.
The acorn squash is “extra” and totally optional, but ramen is really so much about the toppings, I love them all! And this squash just makes the soup extra special.
The squash cooks in the broth, then pull it out and drizzle each wedge with honey, and place it under the broiler to crisp up. The roasted squash is such a great, sweet addition to a spicy ramen broth.
To finish, shred the chicken, then add the spinach and submerge the noodles into the broth to allow them to cook. It’s so nice not having to boil water for the noodles. For the noodles, I love using Brown Rice and Millet Ramen noodles. You can find them at Whole Foods and in many other grocery stores.
Ladle the soup into bowls, then top with all of your favorite ramen toppings, soft-boiled eggs, green onions, carrots, plus chili crisp sauce. Yum!
This dish is so flavorful and so simple. Thankful for easy dinners like this!
Looking for other soup recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Brie and Cheddar Apple Beer Soup
Slow Cooker Creamy White Bean Noodle Soup
Lighter Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
30 Minute Spicy Miso Chicken Katsu Ramen
Lastly, if you make this Better For You Chicken and Spinach Ramen, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
If I am not able to find any dried porcini mushrooms is there anything I could substitute for this? Excited to try this soon! 🙂
Hey Maison,
Any other mushrooms that you can find will also work well for you:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
AMAZING!!!! I made this for my husband tonight and I would not change a thing. Super delicious and full of flavor!
Hey Denise,
Happy Wednesday!! I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was a hit:)
I want to make this today, but don’t have any red curry. Any subs you can suggest?
Hi Caroline,
I would just skip it:) Let me know how the recipe turns out, I hope it’s delish! xT
Hi there! Are you supposed to soak the dried porcini before adding them or just add them dry? And, if the ramen I buy does not come in squares, do you have a weight measurement for how much of it to add?
Hi Ali,
Nope, no need to soak the mushrooms first:) Ahhh, sorry I do not have an extra weight…the 4 pack bag of squares that I buy is 10 ounces if that helps at all! Just use as much or as little as you like! I hope you love the recipe! xx
Even my picky 9 year old raves about this one. Absolutely delicious and so easy.
Hey Regina,
Happy Sunday!!☃️ Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
This recipe is amazing! I had friends over for dinner last night and tried making this for the first time, it was a hit and everyone loved it! I will certainly me making this again. Not only is it delicious but it is very quick and easy to make. Highly recommend!
Hey Olivia,
Happy Friday!!🌟 Love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for trying it out! xT
Do you need to peel the Squash or do you leave the outside skin of the squash on?
Hey Mike,
I leave the skin but you could totally remove it as well:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
This was perfect for a cold night! Stovetop method – I doubled the chix & add a TON of cilantro & basil because we love them + a squeeze of lime. Chefs kiss! Thanks as always Tieghan!
Hey Erin,
Happy Sunday!🌾🌽 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
This is some of the easiest and best ramen recipes I have ever made. 10/10 will make again 🙂
Hey Emely,
I truly appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, love to hear that it was enjoyed!❄️ xx
Hi Tieghan,
Looking forward to trying this recipe! What would you suggest using as a substitute for the bacon?
Hey Kayla,
You could skip the bacon or use turkey bacon, that would be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx
Really great ramen, and especially rich with the addition of the porcini. I only used three squares of regular noodles, which I boiled for three minutes rather than let sit for five minutes (I just wasn’t sure they’d get done if not in boiling liquid). I also think the soft boiled eggs were the perfect topping. Definitely one I’ll be making again!
Hey Helen,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and sharing your review:)
This was yummy, I used the crockpot version so super convenient.
Hey Kristi,
Happy Sunday! 🎃 So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
When to add the chicken?? Am I blind?
Hi Daria,
The chicken is added in step 2:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This looks delish! I don’t like mushrooms but is there another vegetable you think would work well in this?
Hi there,
Sure, zucchini would be delicious! I hope this recipe turns out well for you, let me know if you give it a try! xx
This ramen is so so good! I made extra of the squash and used tofu as my chicken wasn’t thawed…was feeling under the weather and this brought me back to life! Thanks for another amazing recipe!
xx
Hey Tia,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so glad it was a hit! xT