Save to Pinterest This Creamy Thai-Inspired Peanut Noodle Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings the essence of Thai cuisine to your kitchen. Featuring tender ground chicken and crisp vegetables, everything is brought together by a luscious, savory peanut sauce using the efficient potsticker noodle technique for maximum convenience.
Save to Pinterest Whether you are looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a meal-prep friendly dish, these bowls offer a perfect harmony of textures, from the silky rice noodles to the crunch of snap peas and roasted peanuts.
Ingredients
- Protein & Noodles: 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken, 10 oz (280 g) dried wide rice noodles.
- Vegetables: 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced), 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup snap peas (trimmed and halved), 4 green onions (thinly sliced, white parts separated), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated).
- Sauce: 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1–2 tsp Sriracha or chili garlic sauce, 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, juice of 1 lime.
- Garnishes: 1/4 cup roasted peanuts (chopped), fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges.
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the Chicken
- In a large, deep nonstick skillet or wok, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken; cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside if excess liquid remains.
- Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
- Add garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onions to the pan. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Soften Vegetables
- Stir in bell pepper, carrots, and snap peas. Cook for 2–3 minutes until just beginning to soften.
- Step 4: Add Noodles and Sauce
- Add the dry rice noodles to the pan, spreading them evenly over the vegetables. In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, sriracha, and broth until smooth. Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
- Step 5: Simmer and Steam
- Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender and have absorbed most of the sauce.
- Step 6: Combine and Finish
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Toss everything together over low heat for 2–3 minutes until creamy and well combined. Stir in lime juice.
- Step 7: Serve
- Serve hot, topped with chopped peanuts, cilantro, green onion tops, and extra lime wedges.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Using a large nonstick skillet with a tight-fitting lid is essential for the potsticker noodle technique, as it allows the noodles to steam properly in the sauce. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together as they soften.
Varianten und Anpassungen
You can easily swap the protein for ground turkey or crumbled tofu. For a gluten-free version, replace the soy sauce with tamari and ensure your hoisin sauce is certified gluten-free. For extra heat, increase the Sriracha or add red chili flakes as a final garnish.
Serviervorschläge
These bowls are best served immediately while the sauce is at its creamiest. They pair wonderfully with a crisp, chilled Riesling or a traditional Thai iced tea to balance the savory peanut flavors.
Save to Pinterest With its vibrant colors and rich, creamy sauce, this Thai-inspired dish is sure to become a new favorite in your weeknight rotation. Enjoy the perfect blend of spice and comfort in every bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute crumbled firm tofu or your favorite plant-based ground meat alternative for the chicken. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it completely vegetarian. The cooking time remains the same.
- → What type of noodles work best?
Wide dried rice noodles are ideal because they absorb the sauce beautifully and have the perfect texture for this dish. However, you can use flat rice noodles, lo mein noodles, or even spaghetti in a pinch. Adjust cooking time as needed for different noodle types.
- → How spicy is this dish?
The base recipe has a mild to medium heat level from 1 teaspoon of sriracha. You can easily adjust the spice by adding more sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or red pepper flakes. For those who prefer no heat, simply omit the sriracha altogether.
- → Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Absolutely. The peanut sauce can be whisked together up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to thin it with a splash of water or broth when ready to use, as it thickens when chilled.
- → Is this dish gluten-free?
With simple substitutions, yes. Use tamari instead of soy sauce and verify your hoisin sauce is gluten-free. Most wide rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be certain. The peanut butter and other ingredients are typically safe.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles will continue to absorb the sauce, so you may want to add a splash of broth or water when reheating. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.