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Thai Peanut Chicken Noodles - A Creamy, Savory Weeknight Favorite

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Noodles: 8–10 oz rice noodles or spaghetti
  • Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
  • Veggies: 1 red bell pepper (sliced), 1 cup shredded carrots, 2 cups baby spinach or bok choy, 3 green onions
  • Aromatics: 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1-inch piece ginger (grated)
  • Oil: 2 tbsp neutral oil (canola, avocado, or peanut)
  • Peanut Sauce: 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste or sriracha (to taste), 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, juice of 1/2 lime, 1/3–1/2 cup warm water (to thin), optional 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • Toppings: Chopped roasted peanuts, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sesame seeds, chili flakes
  • Optional: 1 tbsp fish sauce for extra depth

Method
 

  1. Cook the noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water, then drain and toss with a splash of oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Make the peanut sauce: whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, curry paste or sriracha, brown sugar, rice vinegar, lime juice, and sesame oil. Add warm water a little at a time until smooth and pourable, like heavy cream.
  3. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in a single layer until golden and cooked through, 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Add remaining oil. Sauté garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add bell pepper and carrots; stir-fry 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.
  5. Return chicken to the pan. Add spinach and toss until just wilted.
  6. Pour in the peanut sauce. Add a splash of reserved noodle water and stir until everything is glossy and well coated.
  7. Add noodles and toss gently over low heat for 1–2 minutes. Adjust thickness with more noodle water as needed. Taste and add more lime, soy, or heat to balance.
  8. Serve hot, topped with peanuts, cilantro, green onion tops, sesame seeds, and lime wedges.