Description
Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles deliver big flavor fast. Tender chicken, savory sauce, and slurpy noodles make this an easy weeknight dinner. Pure comfort!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz ramen noodles (plain, without seasoning packets)
- Sauce Stars:
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (plus more for finishing)
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
- Fresh Finishers:
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Optional Kicks:
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- Fresh ginger, grated (1 tsp)
Instructions
- Prep Your Players:: First things first, get your chicken ready. Cut those boneless, skinless thighs into nice, bite-sized pieces. I like them about an inch, so they cook evenly. Then, in a small bowl, whisk together your soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and a tablespoon of sesame oil – this is our flavor foundation, so give it a good mix! Get your garlic minced, green onions sliced, and cornstarch mixed with cold water for that slurry. Honestly, doing all this upfront makes the actual cooking a breeze, no frantic scrambling, which I’m very familiar with!
- Sear the Chicken for Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles:: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a little oil. Once it’s shimmering, add your chicken in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, hon, or you’ll steam it instead of getting that lovely golden-brown sear! Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it’s nicely browned and mostly cooked through. This is where the magic starts to happen; you’ll smell that delicious chicken browning. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside, leaving any drippings.
- Build the Sticky Garlic Sauce:: Reduce the heat to medium. Add your minced garlic to the pan drippings and sauté for about 30 seconds, until it’s super fragrant but not burnt. Oh, I’ve burnt garlic before, and it’s not a pleasant smell! Pour in your whisked sauce mixture and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble for a minute, then slowly pour in your cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly. Watch it transform into that beautiful, thick, glossy sauce for your Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles. It’s quite satisfying, honestly!
- Cook the Noodles:: While your sauce is doing its thing, cook your ramen noodles according to package directions. We’re looking for al dente here, a little chew is good! Drain them well. I always taste a strand to make sure they’re just right. This is where I sometimes forget to salt the water, but for these noodles, it’s not the end of the world since the sauce is so flavorful.
- Combine and Coat:: Once the sauce has thickened, return the seared chicken to the pan. Toss it gently to coat every single piece in that luscious, sticky garlic sauce. Then, add your drained noodles to the pan. Use tongs to really get in there and toss everything together until the noodles are thoroughly coated and shimmering with that amazing sauce. It’s a beautiful sight, all those flavors coming together!
- Serve Up Your Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles:: Remove your Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles from the heat. Drizzle with the remaining sesame oil – that really brings out the nutty aroma. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately and watch everyone dig in! The smell alone, a mix of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness, is enough to make your stomach rumble. Enjoy, my dear, you’ve earned this delicious meal!