These 20-Minute Sesame Noodles with chicken, Thai-style creamy peanut sauce and crunchy red cabbage make a perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Quick and easy is the only way I’m getting any cooking done on weeknights. Between work, blogging, trying to squeeze in a workout, and making sure I catch that episode of Real Housewives, I’m really strapped for time in the evenings… 😉  So I’m always on the hunt for dinners that take 30 minutes or less. Here’s a dinner plan that takes just 20 minutes.
Easy Sesame Noodles
Things couldn’t be easier with this dish. While your pasta boils away, your chicken poaches right next to it in its own pot of boiling water. This whole process is totally hands off, leaving you free to prepare the amazing sesame-peanut sauce in the meantime.
Let’s talk about that peanut sauce…
It’s tangy, creamy and can be made with ingredients you likely may already have in your cupboard – A bit of red wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, peanut butter, and just a bit of hot chili oil for some heat – I kept things on the mild side here. However, if you like things extra spicy (like me) feel free to customize your bowl by drizzling a bit of extra chili oil over the top at the end.
To add some crunch and color to these bowls, I tossed in some red cabbage. A sprinkling of scallions over the top finishes things off and makes these bowls not only ready for their glamour shots, but for slurping too.
I’m in no way graceful when I’m eating these noodle bowls, or any kind of pasta really. All manners are out the door when noodles are involved. And if it’s ramen – I definitely need a bib. You know how they give you lobster bibs? There should totally be noodle bibs too. Tell me I’m not alone here…
Do you have a favorite quick and easy weeknight dinner? Give me the scoop in the comments below.
Quick Dinner Recipes:
- 20-Minute Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
- 30-Minute Thai Beef with Chiles and Basil
- 30-Minute Pork Tenderloin Piccata
- 30-Minute Honey Dijon Roasted Chicken
- Cheeseburger Salad with Special Sauce
- Miso Chicken
Wine Pairings for Sesame Noodles:
- Riesling, Gewürztraminer: Look for a white wine with just a hint of sweetness to it – It’s a great way to tame down the heat in this dish.
- Rosé is another great match – It’s acidity, and light body will pair nicely with the peanut sauce. (Here are some great rosé wines under $10)
If you loved these Sesame Chicken Noodles I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Sesame Noodles Recipe
20-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
- 12 ounces linguini
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil (divided)
- 6 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot chili oil (plus additional for serving)
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 4 scallions (thinly sliced)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Bring two large pots of salted water to a boil (one for the pasta, one for the chicken). Once boiling, add chicken, cover pot, and remove from heat. Set aside for 15 minutes to poach the chicken.
- Add linguini to the other pot of boiling water and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine garlic, peanut butter, vinegar, 1 tbsp. sesame oil, soy sauce, chili oil, honey, vegetable oil and ¼ cup water in a small bowl. Whisk until combined.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken.
- Drain linguini and return to the pot, toss with the remaining 1 tbsp. sesame oil. Add shredded chicken, red cabbage and sauce mixture and toss to combine. Serve garnished with green onions and additional hot chili oil, if desired.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in March 2017. It was updated in April 2019 to add new photographs and content. The original sesame noodles recipe remains the same. Enjoy!Â
Yum! This sounds delicious, and something I know my kids would eat (they’ll eat anything with peanut butter in it 😉 which is why they love anything Thai inspired).
I can see me adding a couple other veggies in there (just to make sure my kids are eating their veggies), otherwise this sounds like the perfect (and beautiful) dinner!
And rosé sounds spot on with this 🙂
Good plan to add more veggies Mary – I’m thinking some red peppers or zucchini would be amazing in this. Which ones would you add?
This look delicious!!! I love this idea for dinner.
The use of sesame oil and chili oil both add great extra layers to this peanut sauce recipe
Thank you Pech – These noodle bowls definitely have a LOT of flavor going on.
Quick AND easy weeknight dinner? In under 20 minutes?!? I’m in! This looks great!
Thanks Aimee – I’m all for quick dinner recipes!
Oh this 20 minute meal looks totally divine! I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks for sharing!!
I’m putting this on my list of things to cook this week. Looks so awesome! Thanks for sharing Erin!
Love quick, simple, and flavorful dinner ideas like this!
I agree Christine – I’m always in a hurry to get dinner on the table on weeknights!
You had me at linguini. I love pasta so much and this noodle bowl looks to die for! Yum!
Thanks Veronika! I’m obsessed with pasta too – My favorite!
This is truly a delicious meal. It is so easy and loved by everyone. Thanks for sharing.
This is truly a delicious meal. It is so easy and loved by everyone. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. My family loooooved it.
I used rice noodles! Delicious!
I’m so glad you liked it Ashley!
The BEST recipe that is incredibly easy to do. Instead of chicken breast, I use ground chicken and cook it in a little bit of the sauce to get it to that perfect flavoring. Awesome meal that’s quick and easy and even the most picky of individuals will love it.
I love that tip to use ground chicken Alex – I’m going to have to try that!