Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken: Your Ultimate Quick & Flavorful Weeknight Dinner
Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken – a super quick and easy dinner that is on the table in minutes. Full of great Thai flavor with easy to find ingredients!
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine to awaken your taste buds, and this recipe for **Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken** brings that exciting experience right to your kitchen. Forget about lengthy preparation or complicated ingredients; this dish is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave something extraordinary without the fuss.
We absolutely adore Asian-style recipes here at home. They consistently prove that you don’t need a pantry full of obscure items or hours of cooking to achieve bold, satisfying flavors that delight the entire family. These Thai Noodles are a shining example, delivering an incredibly delicious meal in just a matter of minutes. The balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and spicy notes creates a truly harmonious and addictive dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
And if you’re in the mood for a meatless option or prefer a classic peanut sauce, don’t miss our fantastic Thai Peanut Noodles. They offer a different, yet equally delightful, culinary journey.
The Secret to Speedy Stir-Fries: Mastering Mise en Place
One of the aspects we cherish most about preparing Asian recipes, especially stir-fries like these **Spicy Thai Noodles**, is just how quickly they come together once you start cooking. It might seem like the ingredient list is extensive, but the actual time spent over the stove is remarkably short. The real secret to success, and the key to a stress-free cooking experience, lies in embracing the French culinary concept of “mise en place” – having “everything in its place” before you even turn on the heat.
This means taking a few extra minutes upfront to prep all your components: slicing the chicken thinly, chopping your vegetables, mincing the garlic and ginger, and, crucially, mixing together the sauce ingredients in advance. By having your chicken marinated, your veggies ready to toss, and your flavorful sauce prepped, you transform the cooking process into a seamless and rapid assembly. This not only ensures that your ingredients cook evenly and don’t get overcooked while you’re scrambling for the next item, but it also allows you to enjoy the culinary dance of stir-frying without interruption. So, take that extra step to prepare everything, and you’ll be amazed at how quick and easy the actual cooking becomes!
Essential Ingredients for Your Spicy Thai Noodles
Crafting these delectable Thai noodles requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that bring authentic flavors to life. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather:
- Chicken Breasts: Thinly sliced chicken breast cooks quickly and absorbs the marinade beautifully. You could also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
- Pad Thai Noodles: These flat rice noodles are traditional and provide the perfect texture. We’ll discuss alternatives below!
- Thai Seasoning (Gourmet Garden or fresh mix): A blend of classic Thai aromatics that forms the base of our flavor profile.
- Garlic: Essential for depth and aromatic pungency.
- Chili Pepper: To bring the “spicy” element to our dish. Adjust to your preferred heat level.
- Olive Oil: For sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
- Bell Peppers: Adds a sweet crunch and vibrant color. Red bell peppers are particularly great here.
- Shredded Carrots: For a touch of sweetness and additional texture.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the savory and spicy notes with a hint of caramel sweetness in the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: The cornerstone of the savory, umami flavor in Asian cooking.
- Sriracha: For an extra kick and a beautiful red hue in the sauce.
- Ginger: Fresh, zesty, and warming, ginger is crucial for authentic Thai taste.
- Lime: Adds essential brightness and tanginess, cutting through the richness of the sauce.
- Sesame Oil: A finishing oil that imparts a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor.
You’ll notice that I’ve used Gourmet Garden seasonings in this recipe to make the process incredibly streamlined and easy. These pre-prepared pastes save time on chopping and mincing, delivering consistent flavor. However, don’t fret if you don’t have them or can’t find them! The recipe card includes exact substitutions using fresh ingredients, so you can still achieve fantastic results. Whether you opt for the convenience of Gourmet Garden or the freshness of hand-prepped aromatics, your Thai noodles will be bursting with flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Spicy Thai Noodles
For the complete list of ingredients with precise measurements and detailed instructions, please make sure to scroll down to the full recipe card below.
Creating these **Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken** is a straightforward process when you follow these easy steps:
- **Marinate the Chicken:** Begin by thinly slicing your chicken breasts. In a resealable plastic bag or a shallow bowl, combine the chicken with the Thai seasoning, minced garlic, and chili pepper seasoning. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated. This marinating step is crucial as it infuses the chicken with deep, aromatic flavors. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- **Cook the Noodles:** When you’re ready to start cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the Pad Thai noodles and cook them according to the package instructions until they are al dente. This typically means they are tender but still have a slight bite. Drain them thoroughly and set aside.
- **Sauté the Chicken:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Swirl the oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the marinated chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned on all sides and cooked through.
- **Add Vegetables:** Toss in the chopped bell pepper with the chicken and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the bell pepper begins to soften slightly but still retains a pleasant crunch.
- **Prepare and Add the Sauce:** While the chicken and bell peppers are cooking, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, Sriracha, ginger, fresh lime juice, and sesame oil. Pour this aromatic sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and beautifully coats the ingredients.
- **Combine Everything:** Add the cooked and drained Pad Thai noodles to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Stir in the shredded carrots. Gently toss everything together to ensure the noodles are thoroughly coated with the rich sauce and the carrots are well distributed and heated through.
- **Garnish and Serve:** Transfer the **Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken** to serving bowls. For an extra layer of freshness and crunch, generously top with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts. Serve immediately and enjoy this incredibly flavorful, homemade Thai-inspired meal!
This recipe is designed to bring you authentic Thai flavors with the convenience of a quick home-cooked meal. The interplay of spicy, sweet, savory, and sour in the sauce, combined with tender chicken and chewy noodles, makes for an unforgettable dining experience.
While Pad Thai noodles are ideal for their traditional texture and ability to soak up the sauce, don’t let their absence deter you! This recipe is quite forgiving. You can absolutely use other long pasta varieties such as linguine or spaghetti, which work wonderfully as substitutes. Egg noodles or even ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) can also be used in a pinch. The key is to use a noodle that can absorb the delicious Thai sauce, so feel free to experiment with what you have on hand.
Absolutely! This recipe provides a simple base with bell peppers and carrots, but it’s incredibly versatile when it comes to adding more vegetables. We highly encourage you to customize it with your favorite veggies to boost nutrition and flavor. Great additions include zucchini slices, broccoli florets, snap peas, thinly sliced cabbage, mushrooms, or even baby corn. Just ensure you cut them into bite-sized pieces and add them during step 4, allowing them to cook until tender-crisp. Adding more vegetables makes this dish even heartier and more colorful!
If you find yourself with delicious leftovers (a rare occurrence with this recipe!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh and tasty for up to 4 days. They reheat beautifully in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner. Simply add a splash of water or broth if the noodles seem a little dry. And we won’t judge if you prefer to enjoy them cold straight from the container – sometimes cold noodles are just the ticket!
Customization and Serving Suggestions
This **Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken** recipe is a fantastic starting point, but don’t hesitate to make it your own! For those who prefer more heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or an extra dash of Sriracha can elevate the spice level. If you’re looking for different protein options, shrimp or thinly sliced beef are excellent substitutes for chicken. For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken for firm tofu or a medley of mushrooms and extra vegetables. You can also experiment with different garnishes beyond cilantro and peanuts, such as a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving, chopped green onions, or even a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
To round out your meal, consider serving these noodles alongside a crisp cucumber salad or a simple steamed vegetable dish. The fresh, cooling elements will beautifully complement the rich and spicy flavors of the noodles. This dish is hearty enough to be a stand-alone meal, but these accompaniments can make it a more complete and satisfying feast.
Discover More Easy Dinner Recipes
If you loved the simplicity and flavor of these Thai noodles, you’re in for a treat! We specialize in delicious, no-fuss meals that make dinner exciting every night. Explore more of our favorite easy dinner recipes:
- Easy Cashew Chicken
- Ground Mongolian Beef
- Wet Burrito
- Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Chili Relleno Casserole
- Orange Glazed Chicken
- Salisbury Steak
Spicy Thai Noodles with Chicken
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
5
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Equipment
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Pot and Pan Set
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Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken, thinly sliced
- 2 Tablespoons Gourmet Garden Thai Seasoning, or a mix of ginger, cilantro and lemongrass
- 3 teaspoons Gourmet Garden Garlic, or 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Gourmet Garden Chili Pepper, or 1 teaspoon jalapeno finely chopped
- 1 14 oz package Pad Thai noodles
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 whole red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup shredded carrots
Sauce
- 4 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Sriracha
- 4 teaspoon Gourmet Garden Ginger, or 4 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1 whole lime, juiced
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil
Toppings
- cilantro, for garnish
- chopped peanuts, for garnish
Instructions
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In a plastic bag mix together chicken, Thai seasoning, garlic, and chili pepper. Let marinate for at least 2 hours.
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Cook noodles according to the package directions.
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In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned. Stir in bell pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.
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In a bowl mix together brown sugar, soy sauce, sriracha, ginger, lime juice and sesame oil. Pour over chicken. Bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.
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Once pasta is cooked and drained, add to chicken mixture. Stir in carrots. Once heated through and sauce has thickened slightly top with cilantro and chopped peanuts to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 504kcal |
Carbohydrates: 30g |
Protein: 39g |
Fat: 26g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g |
Cholesterol: 166mg |
Sodium: 3218mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 15g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
10 minutes
15 minutes
25 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
5
504
thai noodles
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**This post was sponsored by Gourmet Garden. I was compensated for my time in creating this recipe. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.