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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.
Can I please ask what brand of noodles you used in this dish? I struggle with what noodles to use. Thanks!
Hi Patrica! I buy mine from Whole Foods, but linking to noodle I like below. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
https://rstyle.me/+bEtcSbJNbAC6xuQVOhV2Vw
Lovely recipe. Was enjoyed by all. We served it with home made spring rolls. Will definitely be making it again
Thank you so much!! xTieghan
I made this last night for dinner with pork. It was AMAZING! I will definitely be making this dish again soon!
Thank you so much Melanie! So glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Big hit in our house. We like things medium spicy level so I used 1 Tbsp the chili paste and probably half a tbsp of the chili oil. It was great!
Thank you so much Faith! xTieghan
Girl u arent not kidding about being g better than takeout! Deeeeeelish! Made this today for my husband. He came home for instead of eating out and we were in heaven! It was so flavorful and we had to make ourselves stop eating after we got full! Lol We love all your recipes and I went on Instagram and told all of my friends to follow u immediately!
Aw that is so amazing to hear Nikki! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Great dish. I had to buy a lot of new ingredients, but this dish was soooo delicious we’ll be making it again. I didn’t use meat as we are vegetarian, but used a variety of vegetables we had in. I also used just normal noodles as that is all I could find. I served it with homemade veg spring rolls. 10 out of 10 and thanks for the recipe.
I am so glad you loved this recipe, Kinoko! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This was bangin!!! Thank you!
Amazing! I am so glad you enjoyed this Bianca! Thank you! xTieghan
Excellent! So delicious and easy.
Thank you so much! xTieghan
Can I use a skinny pasta?
HI! Yes, that will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
Great quick GO TO that my family loves!
That is so amazing to hear Amy! xTieghan
Would this be good with beef too? I have one that doesn’t eat chicken or pork. Everyone is different 🙂
Hey Karen!! Using ground beef will be incredibly delicious and such an easy swap. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan ???
This noodle dish has made its way to my “Keeper Recipes” board. I’ve made them many times and they are spot on delicious! My favorite way to make this is with ground pork. I keep the left over chili oil and eat it with practically everything. Thanks for sharing this Tieghan!
Thank you for trying this Roan! I am so glad it turned out so well! xTieghan
Very very good!! My mouth is still on ? fire. I will definitely make again and again!!!!
Thank you Linda! xTieghan
OH MY GOODNESS. I just made this and am literally eating it as I type. It is so good. Now, I had to use thinner Chinese egg noodles, but this flavor is AMAZING. And it really only took 30 minutes. I’m in love. Thank you!
Thank you!! So glad you loved this! xTieghan
Hi! Do you have a recommended substitute for sambal olek?
Hi there! You can use crushed red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce. Just use these to your taste/liking. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan