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Switching up the average weeknight meal with these 30 Minute Spicy Sesame Noodles with Ginger Chicken. Szechuan style noodles in a soy-pomegranate sauce and tossed with gingery ground chicken and plenty of vegetables. Finish these saucy noodles off with the most addicting toasted sesame and peanut chili oil spooned over top. These quick and healthy vegetable-filled noodles can be made and ready in just about 30 minutes. Not only are they healthier, these spicy noodles taste just like your favorite take out.
It’s true what they say, homemade is always better, and that’s definitely the case with these noodles. I’ve mentioned this before, but something about this time of year always inspires me to stay cozied up inside. Making homemade Asian inspired recipes are always so warming and comforting. Making saucy Asian noodles along with plenty of pies and cookies… Well, that’s one of the best indoor cold-weather activities there is!
Yes, all this cold weather makes it that much easier to stay inside and cook all day long.
It might be cheesy, but nothing is better than cooking and baking on snowy days. This is going to sound odd, but when it snows in November and December, I just seem to have better days. There’s something really special about the snow falling and the feeling of being cozy in the kitchen. I love it. Clearly.
Anyway, finishing up all the rambling here and getting right into the details.
I made these spicy, saucy noodles on a whim last week using the contents of my fridge. I wanted to be able to create a quick dinner with what I had on hand. Sharing the recipe was never part of the plan. But then, I ended up loving this meal so much that I recreated it the following day to photograph it and work out the kinks.
Turns out the simplest meal really can be so delicious. Somehow these always end up being my favorites.
Making these noodles is fast and simple.
It all starts with that peanut chili oil. It’s key for adding in a little spiciness and nutty crunch with every bite. Simmer the sesame oil and salted peanuts together until the nuts are golden and toasted. Add a good amount of red pepper chili flakes (or use to your taste) and a few strips of orange rind. Now, I know the orange rind might sound odd, but trust me here. It adds a very subtle citrus punch that brightens these noodles up with a zingy flavor.
Once the oil is made. Start cooking the noodles and browning the chicken. You can really use any kind of noodle, but a good egg noodle or fresh ramen noodles (no seasoning packet) are probably best. If you’re gluten-free, use your favorite rice noodles. Those will be great too!
While the noodles are boiling, caramelize the chicken and mushrooms in the sauce. My tip here? Finely chop the mushrooms, as they add not only a vegetable, but also great flavor. You don’t even realize they’re there, but they add so much to these noodles.
Once the sauce coats the chicken, let the chicken get a little crisp in the skillet and begin to caramelize around the edges. Then just toss in the noodles and a couple of spoonfuls of the oil.
Then find chopsticks…or a fork and ENJOY.
They’re a little spicy, and a touch tangy, but with a subtle sweetness and a crunch from those peanuts. All things delicious!
If you’re looking for something fresh and healthy…ish for dinner this week, make these noodles.
My idea? Invite your quarantine crew over for a take out style dinner at home. Make these noodles, maybe add potstickers or dumplings into the mix, and have fun cooking together while enjoying your favorite drink. A Netflix, friends, and noodles kind of night. AKA…my kind of night!
Looking for other Asian recipes?? Here are my favorites:Â
Ginger Peanut Chicken Noodle Soup
Chinese Mushroom Dumplings with Sweet Chili Ginger Sesame Sauce
Lastly, if you make this 30 Minute Spicy Sesame Noodles with Ginger Chicken, 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!
30 Minute Spicy Sesame Noodles with Ginger Chicken
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 543 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup, plus 2 tablespoons peanut or sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup raw peanuts, roughly chopped
- 2-3 strips orange or clementine peel
- 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles or ramen noodles
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate juice (optional)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
- 3/4 pound ground chicken
- 3 cups shiitake or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 cups roughly chopped kale or green cabbage
- green onions and pomegranate, for serving
Instructions
- 1. To make the chili oil. In a large skillet, heat 1/3 cup peanut or sesame oil, and the peanuts over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the peanuts turn golden, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and very carefully transfer the oil to a heatproof bowl or glass jar. Stir in the red pepper flakes and orange peel. 2. Meanwhile, combine the soy sauce, pomegranate juice (if using), honey, and 1/3 cup water. 3. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.4. Place the skillet used to make the chili oil, over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons peanut or sesame oil and the chicken. Season with black pepper and brown all over, breaking the chicken up as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, ginger, and garlic, and cook another 2-3 minutes. Slowly pour in 1/2 of the soy sauce mixture. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the chicken and the meat begins to caramelize and get crispy, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining soy sauce mixture, the greens, and sesame seeds. Bring the mixture to a simmer.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!Â
Hi! This looks amazing! I just wanted to ask when do you add the cabbage? It’s not included in the instructions.
Hey Nour,
You are going to add the greens in step 4:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Tieghan, Do you have any suggestions for a good vegetable sub for the mushrooms? My first though is peppers, but not sure if that would work with the texture.
Hey Lindsay,
Really any veggie you like will work, zucchini would be delicious! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
A delicious meal and will be something we make again,
Definitely plan on more than 30 minutes to make.
Hey Jeremy,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
I don’t understand why the peanuts were floating around in a half a cup of oil? That seems like way too much oil.
Hey Nan,
It helps to crisp the peanuts:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Pretty good and easy prep, but felt like it was missing something. Maybe it needed a bit of acid. Next time I’ll add some rice vinegar to the sauce.
Hey Jenn,
Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Great! I had smoked chicken on hand so I used that instead of ground chicken which made the dish even easier.
Hey Jaimie,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
I have made this twice in the last week. It is SO GOOD. I am a little obsessed with cilantro so added some on top. Love love love this one!!
Hey Amanda,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a try, I am delighted that the recipe was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Love this I add to my weekly rotation it’s so yummy.
It worked well with cashews as I didn’t have peanuts!
Hey Sarah,
Thank you so much for giving the recipe a go! I am thrilled it was enjoyed. xTieghan
This was so delicious. I omitted the pomegranate juice, and used some sugar snap peas instead of kale. So good!
Hey Lisa,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Delicious! The instructions were easy to follow and I enjoyed cooking and eating this dish! This is a great dish for a crowd. Also cleanup was relatively easy. I didn’t include the pomegranate juice, but would next time for added sweetness.
Hey Ali,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
This was SO delicious! Also really quick to make. The second time I made this I used chili infused sesame oil that I had to top it instead of making the oil myself.
Makes for great leftovers too!
Hey Laynie,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
So excited to cook this!! I can only find dry roasted peanuts, not raw ones. Any suggestions on how to modify the recipe? Thank you!!!
Hey Ali,
I would just follow the recipe as is, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
One last question (sorry). Any recommendations on re-heating the leftovers?
Thanks!!
Hey Christy,
You can reheat them on the stove or just pop in the microwave:) xTieghan
Thank you for such a delicious recipe- yet again! Mine didn’t caramelize and I’m not sure why. I didn’t use a cast iron skillet- would that have made a difference? Did I not have my heat turned up high enough? Curious if you can lend any input. Otherwise delicious recipe and I’ll definitely make it again. I’m determined to get that sauce to caramelize!!!! Thanks- Christy
Hey Christy,
Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Yes, I really find that will all of my recipes the cast iron skillet helps to caramelize my food. I hope this helps! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
This was so good. I forgot to add the sesame seeds because I was so excited to eat! Didn’t use cast iron, so I didn’t have the caramelization you did, but the flavor was fantastic. I went easy on the chili in the oil and will add more next time for a bigger punch. I’ll make this again and again. Thanks Tieghan!!
Hey Amy,
Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I am thrilled that you liked it! I hope you have a great week:) xTieghan