These 25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce are a weeknight game-changer! Tender noodles are tossed with a creamy, flavorful peanut sauce, chicken, and crisp coleslaw for a dish that’s both satisfying and quick to make. It’s perfect for those busy evenings when you crave a delicious and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: This recipe is ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful: The peanut sauce is a delicious blend of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors.
- Healthy: This dish is packed with lean protein and vegetables, making it a nutritious and balanced meal.
- Versatile: You can easily customize the protein and vegetables to your liking.
Ingredients for 25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce
This recipe uses fresh, wholesome ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying noodle dish. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Noodles & Chicken:
- Spaghetti: You can use any long noodles you prefer, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine.
- Chicken Breasts: Chopped into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
- Ground Ginger, Garlic Powder, Ground Coriander, Ground Turmeric, Pepper, Salt: A blend of spices that add depth and warmth to the chicken.
- Olive Oil: For cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Coleslaw Mix: Adds a crunchy texture and a fresh element.
For the Sauce:
- Coconut Milk: Creates a creamy base for the sauce.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce.
- Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness.
- Lime Juice: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Fish Sauce: Adds a unique savory depth.
- Asian Chili Sauce: Adds a spicy kick.
- Dried Basil: Adds a fragrant, herbal note.
Add Later:
- Peanut Butter: Use smooth or crunchy peanut butter for a creamy and nutty flavor.
- Crushed Peanuts: Optional garnish for added texture and flavor.
- Cilantro: Optional garnish for a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Green Onions and Red Chili Peppers: Optional garnishes for added flavor and color.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
How to Make 25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Cook the noodles according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
While the noodles are cooking, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with the ginger, garlic powder, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, cornstarch, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, chili sauce, and dried basil.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until opaque (it will not be fully cooked through at this point). Add the coleslaw mix and cook for one minute.
Step 5: Simmer the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter until melted and smooth.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and crushed peanuts, if desired.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Noodles: You can use any long noodles you prefer, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine.
- Peanut butter: Natural peanut butter has a stronger peanut flavor, while commercial peanut butter is creamier and sweeter. Adjust the amount of peanut butter, sugar, and salt to taste, depending on the type you use.
- Protein: You can omit the chicken or substitute it with shrimp, steak, or pork. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Vegetables: Feel free to swap the coleslaw mix for your favorite vegetables or omit them altogether.
- Customize the flavor: Adjust the sweetness, spiciness, and tanginess of the sauce by adding more or less brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, chili sauce, or salt and pepper.
How to Serve 25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce
- Weeknight dinner: This dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Casual gathering: It’s also a great option for a casual get-together or potluck.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover noodles and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the noodles and sauce gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
My sauce is too thick, what should I do?
If your sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of water or chicken broth.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Simply omit the chicken and add the chicken seasonings to the sauce. You can also add tofu or tempeh for protein.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Yes, you can add more chili sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for 25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce. I hope you enjoy it!
Print25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Noodles, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Description
These 25-Minute Noodles with Peanut Sauce are a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor. Tender chicken, crisp coleslaw, and noodles are coated in a creamy peanut sauce for a delicious and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Noodles & Chicken:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon EACH ground ginger, garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH ground coriander, ground turmeric, black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (16 oz) bag coleslaw mix
Sauce:
- 1 (14 oz) can coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon Asian chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Add Later:
- 1/3 cup smooth or crunchy peanut butter
- Crushed peanuts (optional, for garnish)
- Cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Green onions, thinly sliced (optional, for garnish)
- Red chili peppers, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Cook noodles according to package directions in salted water just until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: While the noodles are cooking, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and toss it with all of the chicken seasonings (ginger, garlic powder, ground coriander, ground turmeric, salt, pepper). Set aside.
- Make Sauce: Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken and Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken and cook until opaque (chicken will not be cooked through). Add coleslaw and cook for one minute.
- Add Sauce and Peanut Butter: Add the sauce and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce is thickened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in peanut butter until melted.
- Combine with Noodles: Add the noodles and toss until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and peanuts, if desired.
Notes
- Noodles: You can use any long noodles you’d like.
- Peanut Butter: Natural peanut butter has a stronger peanut flavor. Commercial peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy contains sugar and other additives that add more flavor and create a creamier, more cohesive sauce. Due to the differences in peanut butter consistency and flavor, you may need more or less to taste. You may also need to adjust the amount of sugar and salt to taste.
- Omit Protein: Feel free to omit the chicken completely. If you omit the chicken, add the chicken seasonings directly to the sauce.
- Swap Protein: Add shrimp, steak, or pork. Season the proteins with the chicken seasonings. If using shrimp, sauté it, then add it back to the sauce with the noodles so it doesn’t overcook.
- Swap Vegetables: Swap the coleslaw for your veggies of choice or omit them altogether. Bell peppers, matchstick carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, snow peas, shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, etc., would all work well. You’ll want to stir fry the veggies for 2-3 minutes before adding the sauce.
- Customize: Make the Thai Peanut Noodles spicier, sweeter, savorier, tangier, or less tangy by adding more or less brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, chili sauce, or salt and pepper.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 600kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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