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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.
Is the rice vinegar crucial to this recipe or could it be substituted with something else without sacrificing flavor?
Hey there,
I really love the flavor that the rice vinegar adds, but you could also use some white wine vinegar. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
THIS WAS DELICIOUS
Thanks so much Charlyne! xTieghan
Where did you find Chinese egg noodles? Is there a brand to use?
Hey Emily,
I get my noodles from Whole Foods. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Yum yum yum! I used ground beef and put over rice, delicious!! I got cabbage in my csa box and was worried I wouldn’t find a way my carnivore fiancé would enjoy it, but this was a success!
Hey Emma,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Wondering if you have a brand for the Chinese Egg Noodles or where to find them? I can’t seem to find them anywhere.
Hey Emily,
I get mine from Whole Foods! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Delicious! I made this last night and it was a big hit. I used ground chicken and followed the recipe as written. It was nice and spicy but not too spicy. I’ll make this one again.
Hey Jean,
Thank you so much for making the recipe. I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This looks delicious!! Just a question… do we need to use regular sesame oil, or toasted sesame oil?
Hey Kaiti,
I like to use regular sesame oil, but toasted sesame oil will also work. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Just made this and it was really yummy! I’m usually a slow cooker but I timed myself and it only took me 30 minutes, like the recipe predicted! After reading the comments, I made my chili oil on low heat with 1.5 tbsp sesame seeds, and it turned out great. I couldn’t get my sauce to thicken but after mixing the noodles in I don’t think it made a big difference.
Hey Noelle,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe. I am so glad you enjoyed! xTieghan
This is one of the best meals I’ve had in I don’t even know how long. It is so good! Thank you for sharing! It was a huge hit in my picky household. Cannot wait to have it again!
Hey Kelsey,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
HI Tieghan – How much green cabbage should I substitute for the bok choy? Thanks for your help!
Hey Melissa,
I would use a cup or so, just to your liking. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I don’t have peanut oil, can I use avocado oil or sesame oil instead?
Hey Ann,
Sesame oil would be great here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
One more photo shoot. You added a blue Christmas bulb in photo. You still have not shared your source of mention it. I love this blue Christmas ornament! Please share thank you and merry Christmas Sheryl
Hey Sheryl, It’s from Terrain, but it has been sold out all month. I am so sorry!! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! And Happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?
Another awesome recipe! I made it with ground beyond meat and savoy cabbage – it was super savory and delicious!
Love to hear that! Thank you Kate! xTieghan
Just delicious. Added a few more vegetables- red peppers and carrots. Love it.
My husband says it’s dandy! We love spicy Asian food!
Thank you so much Sheryl! xTieghan
It’s very important to follow the recipe. Making the sauces at different times makes a difference in how they incorporate with the other ingredients. I substituted peanut oil with vegetable oil and real peanuts, meat with mushrooms and bokchoy with spinach…as it’s what I had already. Such a tasty dish!
Thank you Darla! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan