Name: Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 servings wheat noodles ((Note 1)); 1 chicken breast (, chopped); 2 green onions (, chopped); ½ green capsicum (, sliced); 2 garlic cloves (, minced); cooking oil; sesame seeds (, optional); 3 tbsp peanut butter; 2 ½ tbsp soy sauce; ½ tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tbsp chilli oil; 60 ml noodle starchy water

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These spicy peanut noodles can be prepared in under 20 minutes. With every bite, you’ll enjoy the noodles and chicken coated in a super creamy sauce made from peanut butter and chili oil. The harmonious blend of these ingredients creates a fantastic explosion of umami flavors!

a white bowl with thick wheat noodles coated with a peanut butter chilli oil sauce

If you’re into noodles, love quick meals, and crave some seriously tasty food, then these spicy peanut noodles are your jam! Just like my Garlic Chilli Oil Noodles, this dish will be ready in just about 20 minutes.

Being a spicy food lover, I’m constantly on the hunt for new ways to make noodles or meals that pair perfectly with a steaming bowl of rice. Now, these spicy peanut butter noodles might not match the fiery intensity of my Creamy Carbonara Buldak Ramen or my Extra Cheesy Buldak Ramen, but they still pack a punch with their spicy kick in the peanut butter sauce. And guess what? You can crank up the heat by simply adding more chili oil 🙂

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Full of umami. These noodles are packed with umami-rich ingredients such as peanut butter, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic, resulting in a deeply satisfying dish.
Quick and efficient. With easily accessible ingredients, this spicy peanut noodles recipe provides a convenient choice for those in search of a quick and flavorful meal without compromising on taste.

Versatile. Whether you want to throw in some extra vegetables, protein, or garnishes, this recipe is easily customizable to suit your personal preferences.
Unique flavor combination. The spicy peanut butter sauce combines spicy, nutty, and savory flavors to create an irresistible fusion of tastes.

Ingredients

wheat noodles – You can use any type of noodles (mine are pre-cooked shelf wheat noodles).

Note: wheat noodles are perfect as they are less porous than egg noodles, for instance, and won’t soak up the sauce as much, allowing it to coat the noodles.

chicken breast – chicken isn’t mandatory, feel free to swap it out with your preferred protein or go all out and make it a veggie-friendly version.
green onions – cook the white part of the green onions along with the chicken, and save the green part to sprinkle as a garnish on top of the noodles.
green capsicum – I personally love green capsicum in this recipe as it complements the chicken and sauce perfectly. However, feel free to omit it if you prefer or substitute it with the vegetable of your choice.
garlic – instead of chopping the garlic, you can crush it with a garlic press to extract the juice and flavors more effectively.
sesame seeds – sesame seeds are optional, but I like to sprinkle them on top to enhance the dish’s visual appeal.

sauce

peanut butter – this is the key ingredient of this dish. Peanut butter adds a creamy texture and nutty richness to the sauce.
soy sauce – use regular or light soy sauce.
dark soy sauce – using dark soy sauce not only enhances the soy sauce flavor but also adds a deeper color to the sauce.
sesame oil – sesame oil brings that awesome nutty smell to sauces. If you can get your hands on some good-quality Asian sesame oil, go for it instead of the regular ones you find in Western supermarkets. Trust me, it does make a difference.
oyster sauce – oyster sauce adds extra umami to the sauce.
sugar – sugar adds a touch of sweetness that complements the spiciness and richness of the other ingredients,
chili oil – feel free to adjust the amount of chili oil based on your desired level of spiciness for the noodles.
noodle starchy water – save some of the noodle cooking water to mix into the sauce and give it a creamy texture.

spicy peanut noodles with chicken ingredients

How To Make these spicy peanut noodles?

Prepare the sauce – In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients together.
Cook the noodles – Boil water in a pot and cook the noodles according to the package instructions. While the noodles are cooking, set aside some starchy water. Drain the noodles.
Mix the starchy water into the sauce to liquefy it.
Cook the chicken and vegetables – In a pan, heat up some cooking oil with garlic and the white part of the green onions. Add the capsicum and chicken, and cook until the capsicum and chicken are cooked.
Assemble – Reduce the heat to low and transfer the noodles into the pan with the capsicum and chicken. Pour the sauce on top and coat the noodles with the sauce.
Garnish – Sprinkle sesame seeds and the green part of the green onions.

4 photos showing how to make spicy peanut butter noodles step by step

SUBSTITUTIONS

Noodle – if you prefer not to use wheat noodles, there are several other options for this recipe, such as egg noodles, rice noodles, soba noodles, udon noodles, and ramen noodles. Keep in mind that, except for wheat and udon noodles, the other types are more porous and tend to absorb more sauce. As a result, you may want to consider increasing the amount of sauce slightly.
Protein – you have the flexibility to swap out the chicken for any other protein, skip it altogether, or even use tofu as a vegetarian alternative.
Vegetables – you can easily swap out green capsicums for other vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, snow peas, or baby bok choy. These options make excellent substitutes that complement this recipe beautifully.

How To Store and Reheat?

If you have leftovers, store them in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, heat them in a pan or wok with a splash of water to rehydrate the slightly dried sauce. Alternatively, in the microwave, add a splash of water, mix the noodles, and reheat on high for about 2 minutes.

Emma’s Tips

Cook the noodles al dente – follow the package instructions to cook the noodles until they are just tender but still have a slight bite. Overcooked noodles can become mushy when mixed with the sauce.
Don’t skimp on the sauce – make sure to thoroughly mix the sauce ingredients to ensure a well-combined and flavorful sauce. Adjust the spiciness and seasoning according to your preference.
Use high-quality peanut butter – opt for quality peanut butter for the best flavor.
Customize the toppings – feel free to get creative with toppings and garnishes. Consider adding chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, or a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh and zesty touch.
Adjust the spice level – if you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of chili oil or omit it altogether. For extra heat, increase the amount.

RECIPE FAQ

Yes, you can substitute peanut butter with other nut butter. Many nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter can work well as alternatives.

Keep in mind that each nut butter has its own unique flavor profile, so the taste of the noodles may vary slightly.

Adjust the quantity according to your preference and taste as you go. It’s always a good idea to start with a smaller amount and gradually add more to achieve the desired flavor and consistency.

Yes, you can make peanut butter noodles ahead of time, but it’s important to note that the sauce may dry out. For the freshest and best result, I still recommend preparing them right before serving.

However, if you do make them ahead of time when reheating, add a splash of water and mix it in to rehydrate the sauce and maintain its creamy consistency. This will help restore the sauce’s texture.

Yes, you can. The choice between creamy and crunchy is a matter of personal preference. If you enjoy the added texture and crunch of peanut pieces in your noodles, then using crunchy peanut butter can be a delicious option.

While you can freeze peanut butter noodles, the texture and quality may suffer upon thawing. The noodles can become mushy, and the sauce may lose its creaminess. It’s best to consume them fresh for optimal taste and texture.

More Asian chicken recipes

Asian Lime and Hoisin Marinated Chicken
Soy Garlic Korean Fried Chicken – Dakgangjeong
Chicken Thai Red Curry
Cheese Dakgalbi – Korean Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry

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Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken