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30 minute better than takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili Oil. For those nights when you’re craving extra saucy Chinese inspired noodles, but don’t want to wait for take out. Szechuan style noodles with soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, plenty of vegetables, and thick egg noodles…with the most addicting toasted sesame chili oil spooned over top. These quick and healthy vegetable-filled Chinese noodles can be made and ready in just about 30 minutes. Not only are they healthier, these Szechuan noodles taste so much better than your average take out!
When my oldest brother, Creighton is in town, my recipes tend to shift slightly. If it was just me eating, I’d probably be sharing roasted vegetable recipes, pizza, and pasta every other day. Because in my day-to-day life, those are my favorite foods. But the reason I love cooking so much is that I love cooking for others. I’ve said it many times, but I find the greatest joy in making others happy through food.
This means when friends and family are in town, I adjust. I make recipes that I know for a fact, they will find absolutely delicious.
Case in point, these noodles. My oldest brother is in town from Cleveland for a couple of weeks and staying with my parents. I’ve been getting multiple text messages throughout the day asking what I’m making…if he should stop by the studio and grab leftovers…what’s happening for dinner…did I make food…etc.
I mean, the messages are almost constant.
Clearly Creighton loves food. Actually, I think it might just be all he thinks about.
Anyway, I’ve been on a huge Chinese food kick lately, and Creigh LOVES any kind of saucy Chinese style noodle. So I had the idea to make some homemade spicy Szechuan noodles with a bit of ground chicken, vegetables, and sesame chili oil.
Turns out that my last-minute idea ended up being delicious. Plus, I love the fact that I actually got Creighton to willingly eat vegetables. Sure there are noodles and chicken involved, but if you know Creighton, then you know this is a step in the right direction!
Current goal in life? Get Creighton to eat and enjoy a completely vegetable filled meal with ZERO meat. Big goal.
I have been seeing multiple photos of thick-cut Chinese noodles all over Instagram recently from various restaurants. They look so good, but I have the hardest time finding anything like them here where I live in Colorado. Takeout options are very, very limited, so I often resort to making my own “fakeout” takeout.
It usually turns out pretty good. But you guys? These noodles? They are beyond good, and so simple too!
To start, you’ll have to make the chili oil. And while I know they sell chili oil in the store, this homemade chili oil is better. It’s full of peanut oil, garlic, ginger, chili flakes (use Sichuan or Korean chili flakes if you can find), and sesame seeds. It’s without a doubt my favorite sauce…at least of the moment.
Once you have the oil, the noodles come together in minutes. Brown up some ground chicken, which you can definitely omit if you prefer a vegetarian dish. Then add a little of the soy sauce mixture, red onion, baby bok choy, and thick-cut egg noodles. Toss it all up with some of that chili oil, and done! Simple, but SO flavorful and delicious.
If you wanted to omit the chicken and up the vegetable count, I would add chopped mushrooms and carrots along with the red onion. That will be so good.
And that’s kind of it.
These noodles will take you 30 minutes tops to make, and they’re truly a dinner everyone will love. The best part is that you can really adjust the recipe to your dietary needs. If you like eating vegetarian, opt out of the chicken. If you’re gluten-free, use rice noodles in place of the egg noodles.
Make the recipe work for you!
Love this Better than Takeout recipe and want to give another one a try? Try these 30 Minute Better Than Takeout Thai Drunken Noodles.
If you make these Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili Oil, 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 also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili oil.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup peanut oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed
- 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
- 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1-2 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek)
- 1/2 pound ground chicken or pork (optional)
- 1 red onion thinly, sliced
- 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving
- 4 baby bok choy or green cabbage, chopped
Instructions
- 1. To make the chili oil. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the peanut oil, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally until the garlic is fragrant, 5 minutes. Stir in the sesame seeds, cook 30 seconds to 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and very carefully transfer the oil to a heat proof bowl or glass jar. 2. Meanwhile, cook the eggs noodles according to package directions. 3. Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, chili paste, and 1/3 cup water in a bowl. 4. Place the skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken. Season with black pepper and brown all over, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add the red and green onions, and cook another 2-3 minutes. Slowly pour in the soy sauce mixture and add the bok choy. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the chicken, about 3-5 minutes. 5. Stir in the noodles and 2 tablespoons chili oil. Remove from the heat. Serve the noodles warm, topped with additional chili oil and green onions. Enjoy!
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.
Hi! Does the estimated calories include the ground meat?
Hi Sarah,
It does, yes:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Really enjoyed this and super easy to make
Hey Maire,
Amazing! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it. Have the best week!
Made this tonight to spec. I even impressed myself. This recipe is killer. If you’re new or advanced in Asian cooking, this won is hard to beat. THANK YOU!
Thanks so much! So glad this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Happy Sunday!🌼🐰
This was a very good recipe – I used ground pork. It was fast to prepare and delicious.
Hey Sharon,
Happy Fall Sunday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx
Made the recipe and loved it. Flavors are great, but the sauce didn’t really stick to the noodles at all. Could I add cornstarch to the chicken or in the sauce next time?
Hi Rose,
Thanks so much for trying this dish and your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! Yes, you could add cornstarch to both the sauce and the chicken. Xx
Is there any other oil I can use instead of peanut oil?
Hi Norma,
Sure, you could use another oil that you prefer. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I made this and it was delicious!
Hi Lisa,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, love to hear that it was enjoyed! xT
Wow! What an incredible recipe! I’m floored! It was so delicious! I was salivating even after dinner. The chili oil with sliced garlic & ginger is such an exquisite finish to the noodle dish. I made with ground pork and baby bok choy. I can’t wait to make this dish for friends!
Thank you so so much! Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed! xT
Wow, better than take out is right! I love the bold layers of spices. I used som rice noodles and it worked well. Needed to use up some pea pods so added those. I can’t wait to make this again. Love!
Thank you sooo much! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! xT
I can’t find huy fong chili paste anywhere anymore and this is my favorite recipe to make. Do you have a recommendation for in stock brand of Sambal oelek chili paste that would work like huy fong?
Thank you so much!!
Traci
Hey Traci! There’s a brand of chili paste called Thai Kitchen that you could try out! xT
A couple of your recipes we’d love to try use chili oil. I’d like to make extra and store it to make meals faster. How long do you think the chili oil would keep if I premade it? Thanks
Hey there,
The chili oil is good in the fridge for up to 2 weeks:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Thanks!!
Another delicious recipe! So grateful to have Tieghan here with all the delicious dinner ideas.
Hi Cassidy,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for making it! Have a great weekend:)
I am a vegetarian. What vegetables can I use instead of meat?
Hi there,
Mushrooms and zucchini would be great options here. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Very easy and pretty close to a one-pot-wonder, with the exception of a couple smaller dishes (the simplicity of this recipe bumps up the rating). Halved the onion and added some snow peas for additional veg. Went with ground pork, and cabbage. Didn’t quite have the depth of flavour I hoped for, but the chili garlic ginger oil pulls it together. My partner thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hey Nicole,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xx
This was outstanding ! Will be on my repeat list of meals to make!
Thank you so much!
Hey Janice,
Happy Friday!😁 Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx