20-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodles + VIDEO

These 20-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodles with 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 – Sesame Chicken 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.

Sesame Chicken Noodles Recipe

20-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodles

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Thai

Keyword: peanut noodles, sesame chicken noodle bowls, sesame peanut noodles

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 904 kcal

Author: Platings & Pairings

These 20-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodles with Thai-style creamy peanut sauce and crunchy red cabbage make a perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner.

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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

1. 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.
2. Add linguini to the other pot of boiling water and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes.
3. 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.
4. Using two forks, shred the chicken.
5. 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.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

20-Minute Sesame Chicken Noodles

Amount Per Serving

Calories 904 Calories from Fat 351

% Daily Value*

Fat 39g60%

Saturated Fat 14g88%

Cholesterol 108mg36%

Sodium 1869mg81%

Potassium 1172mg33%

Carbohydrates 80g27%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 58g116%

Vitamin A 420IU8%

Vitamin C 17.4mg21%

Calcium 67mg7%

Iron 3.4mg19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

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! 

Wine Pairings for Sesame Chicken 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)

Looking for more quick and easy dinner ideas? Be sure to try these too:

• 20-Minute Tortellini Skillet Lasagna
• 30-Minute Thai Beef with Chiles and Basil
• 30-Minute Pork Tenderloin Piccata
• 30-Minute Honey Dijon Roasted Chicken