Name: Spicy Peanut Chicken Noodles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, sliced; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced; 2 tbsp chili paste or sriracha; 1/3 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky); 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar; 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice; 1/2 cup chicken broth or water; 1 tsp sesame oil; 12 oz cooked noodles (rice noodles, udon, or spaghetti); 2 green onions, sliced; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp crushed peanuts (for garnish)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe brings together bold, well-rounded flavors in just one bowl—savory peanut butter, zesty lime, spicy chili, and fragrant garlic. It’s quick to make, customizable with your favorite vegetables, and works equally well for dinner or meal prep. Plus, it’s a fun way to elevate instant or simple noodles into something truly gourmet.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, sliced
Soy sauce
Garlic, minced
Ginger, minced
Chili paste or sriracha
Peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
Honey or brown sugar
Rice vinegar or lime juice
Chicken broth or water
Sesame oil
Cooked noodles (rice noodles, udon, or spaghetti)
Green onions, sliced
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Crushed peanuts (for garnish)

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, chili paste, honey, rice vinegar, chicken broth, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a little oil, then cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5–6 minutes.
Add garlic and ginger to the pan, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour the peanut sauce into the pan and stir until the chicken is well coated and the sauce thickens slightly.
Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until fully coated in the sauce.
Adjust seasoning to taste—add more soy sauce for saltiness, more chili paste for heat, or more lime juice for brightness.
Serve hot, garnished with green onions, cilantro, and crushed peanuts.

Servings and timing

Serves 4 people.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Variations

Vegetarian: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh.
Extra Veggies: Add broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas.
Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and rice noodles instead of wheat noodles.
Mild Version: Reduce or omit the chili paste.
Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
This dish is not ideal for freezing, as the sauce can separate.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, it will add a nice texture to the sauce.

What noodles work best?

Rice noodles, udon, soba, or even spaghetti all work well.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, it can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

How can I make it spicier?

Add extra chili paste, crushed red pepper flakes, or sliced fresh chili.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes, just stir it in at the end to warm through.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes, though the flavor will be slightly different.

How do I stop the noodles from clumping?

Rinse cooked noodles under cold water and toss with a little oil before adding to the pan.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot?

Yes, cook chicken first on sauté mode, then add sauce and noodles, cooking briefly under pressure.

Is this dish sweet?

It’s slightly sweet from honey or brown sugar, but mostly savory and spicy.

Can I serve it cold?

Yes, it makes a great chilled noodle salad.

Conclusion

Spicy Peanut Chicken Noodles are a quick, flavor-packed meal that’s creamy, spicy, and deeply satisfying. Whether served hot for dinner or chilled for lunch, this dish offers a delicious combination of textures and bold flavors that will keep you coming back for more.