Peanut Noodles

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Discover a vibrant fusion of flavors in our easy Peanut Noodles recipe! Tender chicken and fresh veggies covered in a homemade peanut sauce.

In the bustle of daily life, finding a satisfying meal that is both simple to prepare and packed with flavor can feel like a challenging task. This Peanut Noodles recipe is the answer to both of those problems.

This recipe is not just an exciting burst of fresh and rich flavors, but also a life-saver if you have limited time. In only 30 minutes, you can have a meal that brings together savory chicken, sweet red peppers and carrots, all coated in a homemade peanut sauce that rivals any take-out restaurant. It’s the perfect choice for a mid-week dinner or a casual gathering.

closeup of thai peanut noodles in a skillet

About this Peanut Noodles Recipe:

  • Flavor: This chicken peanut noodle dish has tangy, sweet, and salty flavors, perfectly balanced by the warm nuttiness of the homemade peanut sauce. The fresh cilantro and green onion on top are the perfect finish.
  • Texture: The combination of tender chicken, firm noodles, and lightly sautéed vegetables offers a uniquely satisfying medley of textures.
  • Method: This recipe cooks in one skillet on the stovetop. It’s not a one pot meal because you’ll have to cook the noodles separately, but it is still an easy cleanup.

What are peanut noodles?

Peanut noodles are popular in many Asian cultures (such as Chinese and Thai) and have many different names. Matt and Braden visited Togo in December and they had an amazing spicy “Peanut Sauce” there that they are still craving. In the Western world, we call noodles with a simple peanut sauce “peanut noodles”. Our recipe has simple-to-get ingredients so you can enjoy this at home.

The noodles can have varying additions such as vegetables, tofu or edamame. I either make them with no meat or with chicken. Both ways are delicious.

Ingredients

ingredients for peanut noodles with chicken on a table
  • Chicken: This recipe calls for chicken but feel free to use your favorite protein like tofu, pork or beef.
  • Noodles: Linguine or rice noodles make for great options for this dish but spaghetti or other long pasta can also be used. Use rice noodles for gluten free or ramen noodles in a pinch.
  • Lime juice: If I’m out of lime juice, I use lemon juice. I do prefer lime though so I suggest making it with lime first.
  • Peanut Butter: I’ve not tried this with natural peanut butter, but it would probably work.
  • Peanuts. For some extra flavor, pop the peanuts onto the skillet and heat them for a couple of minutes to add that delicious roasted flavor to them.

How to Make Peanut Noodles

  • Prepare the noodles. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Sear the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so that they are thinner cuts. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until each side has a nice brown sear, about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips. Set aside.
  • Sauté the veggies. In the same skillet, add the bell pepper and carrot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the softened peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and water until evenly combined. (If the peanut butter is warmed and slightly runny, it will whisk in with the other ingredients well.)
  • Assemble. Add the cooked noodles and chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the peanut sauce over the top and toss everything together until the noodles and chicken are coated in the sauce.
  • Garnish. Serve hot, garnished with green onions, cilantro, and chopped peanuts. Don’t skip that part. The freshness pairs so well with the rich peanut butter.
a bowl of thai peanut noodles with cilantro

like it spicy?

For extra spice, drizzle with chili oil in serving. It’s delicious!

What to Serve with Peanut Noodles

Here are a few ideas:

  1. Vegetable Stir-fry: A quick stir-fry of your favorite vegetables such as bok choy, mushrooms, or snap peas can add a healthy, crunchy side to your meal.
  2. Spring Rolls: Both fresh and fried spring rolls make a delightful companion to peanut noodles.
  3. Asian-inspired salads: A light cucumber salad, a tangy Asian slaw, or a Thai mango salad would complement the rich flavors of the peanut noodles.
  4. Dumplings or Potstickers: These tasty bites can be a great addition to round out the meal.
chopsticks picking up noodles with peanut sauce

Storage Instructions

Here’s how to store leftovers:

  1. Cool the noodles: Allow the peanut noodles to cool completely before storing them. This will stop the noodles from continuing to cook and possibly becoming mushy.
  2. Use airtight containers: Once cooled, transfer the noodles to an airtight container. This will help preserve the flavor and prevent the noodles from drying out.
  3. Refrigerate: Place the container in the refrigerator.
  4. Eat within a few days: Leftover peanut noodles are best eaten within 3-4 days for the best taste and safety.

To reheat, you can use a microwave or stovetop. If the noodles seem a little dry, try adding a small amount of water or broth to help rehydrate them. Please note that the noodles could absorb some of the sauce while stored in the refrigerator, altering the texture slightly upon reheating.

You may also love our Thai coffee creamer!

thai peanut noodles in a skillet garnished with red peppers, onions and cilantro
thai peanut noodles in a skillet garnished with red peppers, onions and cilantro

Peanut Noodles {30 Minutes}

5 from 1 vote
Discover a vibrant fusion of flavors in our easy Peanut Noodles recipe! Tender chicken and fresh veggies covered in a homemade peanut sauce.
Servings 4
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

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Ingredients
 

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces linguine or rice noodles
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 small carrot peeled and shredded
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts use low sodium or unsalted peanuts

For the sauce:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter warmed slightly
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup lime juice fresh squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more for a spicy kick
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt optional, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so that they are thinner cuts. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until each side has a nice brown sear, about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice into strips. Set aside
  • In the same skillet, add the bell pepper and carrot. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 3-5 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the softened peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and water until evenly combined. (If the peanut butter is warmed and slightly runny, it will whisk in with the other ingredients well.)
  • Add the cooked noodles and chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the peanut sauce over the top and toss everything together until the noodles and chicken are coated in the sauce.
  • Serve hot, garnished with green onions, cilantro, and chopped peanuts.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe has a lot of potentially salty ingredients. Use low sodium soy sauce and unsalted peanuts to be sure it is not too salty. I also leave out the added salt and let those who want it add during serving.
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 4, with 1 serving being ¼ of the noodles. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 656kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 808mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3708IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian American
Calories 656
Keyword 30 minute dinner, easy chicken dinner, skillet dinner

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About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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