Sesame Chicken Noodle Bowl (Print Version)

Tender chicken and crisp vegetables in sweet-savory sesame sauce over noodles.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced

→ Noodles

02 - 9 oz dried udon, soba, or rice noodles

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
05 - 3.5 oz sugar snap peas, trimmed
06 - 2 spring onions, sliced

→ Sauce

07 - 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional for thickening

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
15 - Fresh coriander or cilantro, chopped
16 - Lime wedges, optional

# Directions:

01 - Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch if using. Set aside.
03 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil.
04 - Add sliced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
05 - In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Stir-fry bell pepper, carrot, and snap peas for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
06 - Return chicken to the pan. Pour in the sauce and toss everything to coat. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Add cooked noodles and spring onions. Toss well to combine and heat through.
08 - Divide among bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds, fresh coriander, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything finishes in under 35 minutes, which means dinner on the table before you lose your mind from hunger.
  • The sauce strikes that perfect sweet-savory balance that makes you keep reaching for another bite.
  • It's genuinely beautiful to look at, so it feels fancy enough for company but honest enough for Tuesday nights.
  • One bowl, minimal cleanup, maximum satisfaction.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken or everything steams instead of browning, and the magic happens in that golden crust.
  • The sauce thickens slightly as it simmers, but not dramatically—cornstarch is optional, and honestly, a looser sauce soaks into the noodles beautifully.
03 -
  • Keep everything prepped and ready before you turn on the heat—this comes together so fast that mid-cooking prep will throw you off rhythm.
  • A wok is nice but genuinely not necessary; a large nonstick skillet works just as well and takes up less cabinet space.
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