Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and springy ramen noodles, all tossed in a savory sauce. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that brings together the comfort of noodles with the zest of stir-fry.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Flavor-Packed: The homemade sauce delivers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable with your choice of vegetables and protein.
- Budget-Friendly: Utilizes affordable ingredients without compromising on taste.
- Family Favorite: A crowd-pleaser that’s sure to satisfy both kids and adults.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
For the Stir Fry:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 14-ounce package coleslaw mix
- 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced (red, orange, or yellow)
- 3 packages instant ramen noodles (3 oz each), seasoning packets discarded
- ¼ cup pasta cooking water
For Garnish:
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Additional Sriracha (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and ginger. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in bell peppers and coleslaw mix. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Cook the Noodles: While the vegetables are cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add ramen noodles and cook for 3 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water, then drain the noodles.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the cooked noodles and reserved cooking water to the skillet. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the noodles and vegetables.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and additional Sriracha if desired. Serve hot.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, tofu, or tempeh.
- Vegetable Options: Add or replace with broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, or carrots.
- Noodle Alternatives: Use rice noodles, udon, or soba noodles for a different texture.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of Sriracha to control the heat.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as noodles may become mushy upon thawing.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
FAQs
What type of noodles should I use?
Instant ramen noodles work best for this recipe. Discard the seasoning packets and use the noodles only.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth if needed.
Is this recipe spicy?
The spice level is moderate due to the Sriracha. Adjust the amount to suit your preference.
Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely. The sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to include broccoli, mushrooms, snap peas, or any of your favorite stir-fry vegetables.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
Toss the cooked noodles with a bit of oil to prevent sticking before adding them to the skillet.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, add pre-cooked chicken during the final steps to heat through.
What can I use instead of honey?
Maple syrup or brown sugar can be used as alternatives to honey.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it stores well in the refrigerator and can be reheated for quick meals.
Can I double the recipe?
Certainly. Double the ingredients to serve a larger crowd, ensuring your skillet is large enough to accommodate.
Conclusion
Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that brings excitement to your dinner table. Its quick preparation and adaptability make it a go-to recipe for busy weeknights. Customize it with your favorite proteins and vegetables to make it uniquely yours. Enjoy the savory goodness in every bite!
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Chicken Ramen Stir Fry
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Description
Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a quick and easy weeknight meal that combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and ramen noodles tossed in a savory stir-fry sauce. It’s a flavorful, satisfying dish ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 packs ramen noodles (discard seasoning packets)
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, sliced thin
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g. bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Return chicken to the skillet, add cooked noodles, and pour in the sauce.
- Toss everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and well coated.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for an even quicker version.
- Swap ramen with rice noodles or soba for variety.
- Adjust spice level to taste by adding sriracha or more red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg