Easy Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry: My Go-To Weeknight Dinner
By Jason Griffith
When the takeout cravings hit, but you’re in the mood for something homemade and fast, this Chicken Noodles with the Best Sauce recipe is your new best friend. This dish is everything you love about a classic noodle stir-fry—tender chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and slippery noodles—all tossed in a deeply flavorful, savory-sweet sauce that is truly the star of the show. The best part? From start to finish, you can have this on your table in under 30 minutes, which is faster than most delivery services.
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in its incredibly balanced sauce. It’s a simple combination of staple Asian pantry ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, and sesame oil, but when mixed together, they create a complex, umami-rich glaze that coats every single ingredient. It’s the kind of sauce that makes you want to lick the plate clean. We’ll start by searing the chicken until golden, then stir-fry a mix of vibrant vegetables, before adding the cooked noodles and that incredible sauce to bring it all together.
This recipe is a testament to the fact that you can achieve authentic, delicious flavors at home with minimal fuss. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that feels like a special treat every time.
Why I Love This Recipe
This recipe has become a staple in my cooking repertoire because it’s a perfect blend of speed, flavor, and convenience. On a hectic Tuesday evening, knowing I can have a delicious, home-cooked meal ready in under 30 minutes is a huge stress reliever. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder (after the noodles are cooked), which means cleanup is a breeze.
The sauce is the real magic here. It’s not overly complicated, but it hits all the right notes—salty from the soy and oyster sauces, slightly sweet from the hoisin and a touch of sugar, and nutty from the sesame oil. The minced garlic adds a fragrant, pungent kick that ties everything together. It’s a versatile sauce that works beautifully with chicken, but you could easily swap in shrimp, beef, or even tofu.
I also love how customizable this dish is. It’s a great way to use up whatever vegetables you have in the fridge. I’ve thrown in everything from broccoli and snow peas to bell peppers and mushrooms, and it always turns out fantastic. If you’re a fan of easy and satisfying chicken dinners, you’ll also love my recipe for Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders, which are another great option for a quick and fun meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 8 oz chow mein noodles (or spaghetti noodles)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
- Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Swaps & Notes
- Protein: Feel free to swap the chicken for thinly sliced pork, beef, shrimp, or even firm tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Noodles: While chow mein noodles are traditional, spaghetti noodles are a perfect substitute and a great pantry staple. Udon noodles or rice noodles would also work beautifully.
- Vegetables: This is a great opportunity to clean out your fridge. Additions like broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms are all wonderful.
- Sauce: Oyster and hoisin sauces add a depth of flavor, but if you don’t have them, you can increase the soy sauce slightly and add a dash more sugar. The flavor won’t be quite as complex, but it will still be delicious.
- Spice: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or a dash of sriracha at the end.
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook the noodles according to the package directions. It’s important to cook them to al dente, as they will cook a bit more in the pan. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
- Whisk the Sauce: While the noodles are cooking, whisk together all the sauce ingredients—soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic—in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced chicken breast and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, and the white parts of the sliced green onions to the same skillet. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the cooked and drained noodles and pour the prepared sauce over everything.
- Toss and Serve: Use tongs to toss everything together until the noodles are well-coated in the sauce and the dish is heated through. This should only take 1-2 minutes.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the chicken noodles hot, garnished with the green parts of the sliced green onions and some toasted sesame seeds if you have them.
Tips for Success
- Prep Everything First: Stir-frying happens fast. Have all your ingredients—the sliced chicken, chopped veggies, and whisked sauce—ready to go before you start cooking.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Cook the noodles to al dente as they will soften slightly when tossed in the sauce at the end.
- Use a Hot Pan: A hot skillet or wok is essential for a good stir-fry. It creates that “wok hei” or smoky flavor and ensures the vegetables get a nice char without becoming soggy.
- Thinly Slice the Chicken: Thinly sliced chicken cooks quickly and evenly, ensuring every piece is tender and juicy.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a side of crispy spring rolls or a light cucumber salad. For a simple beverage, a cold beer or some iced tea would be perfect.
For more flavorful chicken inspiration, you might want to try my recipe for Easy Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Wontons, which are another great option for a fun appetizer or meal.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
(Approximation based on ingredients, serves 4)
- Calories: ~450
- Protein: ~35g
- Fat: ~15g
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Fiber: ~3g
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftovers of this chicken noodle stir-fry are fantastic and store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave or warm it up in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to help loosen the noodles and sauce.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love these other great chicken dinners:
- This Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo is My Favorite Bowl of Southern Comfort
- These Chicken Enchiladas are My Go-To for Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Dinners
- A Light & Tangy Chicken Salad I Actually Crave (and there’s no mayo in sight!)
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Noodles with the Best Sauce recipe is proof that you can have a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home without spending a lot of time or money. It’s a fast, flavorful, and customizable dinner that is sure to become a go-to for your family. I hope you give it a try and discover just how easy and tasty it is!
What’s your favorite vegetable to add to a stir-fry? Let me know in the comments below!
Chicken Noodles with the Best Sauce: A 20-Minute Stir-Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- 8 oz chow mein noodles (or spaghetti noodles)
- 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook the chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced chicken breast and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sliced bell pepper to the skillet, and stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.
- Add the cooked noodles to the skillet, pour the sauce mixture over, and toss everything together to combine well.
- Cook for another 2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.
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