This Chicken Stir Fry Noodles recipe is quick, easy, and packed with flavor! Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a delicious dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The stir-fried chicken is combined with tender pasta, broccoli, and a sweet and savory sauce, creating a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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1 lb (450g) skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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3 garlic cloves, finely minced
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1 medium carrot, julienned or shredded
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8 ounces (225g) spaghetti noodles
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3 cups broccoli florets, rinsed
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Fresh chopped scallion, for garnish
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Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
For the Sauce
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½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger or ground ginger
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1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey)
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¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
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2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
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2 teaspoons sesame oil
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¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions
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Cook the Noodles and Broccoli:
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Add the broccoli florets during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside. -
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper, and black pepper. -
Cook the Chicken:
Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, for 2-3 minutes until slightly golden. Add garlic and carrots, cooking for another minute. -
Combine:
Add the cooked spaghetti and broccoli to the skillet with the chicken. Pour the sauce over everything and toss to coat. Heat for a couple more minutes until fully incorporated. -
Serve:
Garnish with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrients
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Calories: 504 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 40g
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Protein: 55g
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Fat: 12g
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Saturated Fat: 2g
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Cholesterol: 226mg
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Sodium: 2066mg
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Potassium: 1248mg
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Fiber: 3g
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Sugar: 18g
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Vitamin A: 1442 IU
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Vitamin C: 46mg
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Calcium: 57mg
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Iron: 3mg
The Perfect Blend of Sweet and Savory Sauce
One of the standout features of Chicken Stir Fry Noodles is the sauce. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy, with the key ingredients being hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Hoisin sauce brings a rich, umami depth, while soy sauce contributes saltiness and a subtle complexity. Sesame oil adds a warm, nutty flavor that enhances the dish’s overall richness. Freshly grated ginger provides a zesty kick, while brown sugar or honey adds a touch of sweetness to round out the sauce.
The addition of crushed red pepper flakes is optional, but it adds a gentle heat to the dish. The red pepper combined with the other ingredients creates a harmonious flavor profile that coats the chicken and vegetables, making every bite a delightful experience. It’s this sauce that ties all the elements of the stir fry together, transforming simple ingredients into a vibrant, flavorful meal.
Why This Dish is Perfect for Busy Weeknights
There’s no doubt that Chicken Stir Fry Noodles is an excellent option for busy weeknights. It’s quick to prepare, requiring just 15 minutes of your time, and uses only one skillet and one pot for cooking. The pasta and vegetables are cooked together, saving you time on prep and cleanup. The chicken is stir-fried in a single skillet, allowing it to develop a crispy, golden exterior while staying juicy on the inside.
This dish also offers a great balance of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making it a well-rounded meal that will keep you feeling satisfied without weighing you down. The tender chicken provides a lean source of protein, while the spaghetti noodles serve as a comforting base. The broccoli and carrots add fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to the dish’s nutritional value.
Since this recipe is so quick and easy, it’s also an excellent option for meal prepping. You can make a large batch and store leftovers for the next day, allowing you to have a delicious and healthy meal on hand for lunch or dinner.
The Versatility of Chicken Stir Fry Noodles
One of the best things about Chicken Stir Fry Noodles is how easily it can be customized. While the recipe uses spaghetti noodles, you can easily swap them for other types of noodles, such as rice noodles, soba noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Similarly, if you’re not a fan of broccoli or carrots, you can replace them with other vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms.
The sauce can also be adjusted to suit your preferences. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little extra brown sugar or honey. For those who enjoy a more savory flavor, increase the amount of soy sauce or hoisin sauce. The flexibility of this dish makes it a great choice for experimenting with different ingredients or flavors based on what you have available in your kitchen.
You can also make this dish your own by adding extra protein or garnishes. For example, you can use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken, or top the stir fry with chopped peanuts or cilantro for added texture and freshness. The options are endless, allowing you to enjoy a new variation each time you make this dish.
The Cooking Process: Simple and Efficient
The cooking process for Chicken Stir Fry Noodles is straightforward and quick, ensuring that you can have dinner on the table in no time. The first step is to cook the spaghetti and broccoli. By adding the broccoli to the pasta during the last few minutes of cooking, you save time and ensure that both the noodles and vegetables are perfectly cooked.
While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, the chicken is stir-fried in a skillet with garlic and carrots. The chicken is seasoned and cooked until golden brown, and then the garlic and carrots are added for flavor and color. The vegetables are sautéed just enough to soften slightly while retaining their crunch.
Once the chicken and vegetables are cooked, the sauce is added to the skillet, followed by the cooked noodles and broccoli. Everything is tossed together in the sauce, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to coat every ingredient evenly. This final step only takes a couple of minutes, ensuring that everything is piping hot and well incorporated before serving.
The Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Stir Fry Noodles
Chicken Stir Fry Noodles is not only delicious, but it also offers numerous nutritional benefits. The dish is a great source of protein, with each serving containing 55 grams of protein. Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, making this dish a great post-workout meal or a healthy option for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet.
The carbohydrates from the noodles provide a quick source of energy, while the fiber from the broccoli, carrots, and pasta helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full longer. Additionally, the dish contains healthy fats from the sesame oil, which are beneficial for heart health and overall well-being.
This stir fry also provides essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A from the carrots, vitamin C from the broccoli, and potassium from both the chicken and vegetables. The combination of nutrients makes this dish a wholesome and nourishing meal that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Chicken Stir Fry Noodles is a quick, flavorful, and nutritious dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a delicious sweet and savory sauce, it’s a meal that everyone will love. The best part is that it’s ready in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal option for those nights when you need something fast but still want to enjoy a wholesome meal.
Whether you’re looking for a simple dinner, a meal to meal prep for the week, or a dish that can easily be customized to your liking, Chicken Stir Fry Noodles fits the bill. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and delicious flavor make it a go-to recipe that’s sure to become a favorite in your household.