Why You’ll Love Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe
This dish checks all the boxes for a great dinner: it’s quick to make (about 30 minutes start to finish), packed with rich garlic and honey flavor, and has a sticky sauce that clings to every noodle. It’s adaptable to whatever noodles or vegetables you have on hand, and it tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
soy sauce
honey
garlic cloves, minced
grated ginger
red chili flakes (optional)
cornstarch
vegetable oil
noodles (rice noodles or egg noodles)
green onions, chopped
sesame seeds (optional)
Directions
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Mix soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red chili flakes (if using) in a bowl to form the sticky sauce.
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Toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
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Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook about 6–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
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Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir to coat. Let simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy, sticky glaze.
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Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to package instructions; drain.
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Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until evenly coated with sauce and chicken.
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Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the top before serving hot.
Servings and timing
Serves: about 4 people
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Cook time: ~15 minutes
Total time: ~30 minutes
Variations
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Protein swaps: Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or thinly sliced beef.
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Extra vegetables: Add broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas during the stir-fry for added color and nutrition.
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Spice levels: Increase red chili flakes or add chili sauce for more heat.
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Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free rice noodles.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
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Freezing: You can freeze cooked chicken and sauce (noodles freeze less well) for up to one month; thaw before reheating.
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Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and keep noodles from drying out.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes. Swap the chicken for firm tofu or extra vegetables like mushrooms or cauliflower; adjust cook times accordingly.
What kind of noodles work best?
Rice noodles or egg noodles are ideal, but ramen, lo mein, or udon will also work.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
Rinse noodles under cold water after cooking and toss them with a little oil before adding to the skillet.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce and choose gluten-free noodles.
Is it spicy?
Red chili flakes add mild heat, but you can omit them for a milder dish or add more for extra spice.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can mix the sauce and chop ingredients ahead; cook right before serving for best texture.
How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
Mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the simmering sauce until thickened.
What vegetables pair well with this dish?
Broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots are great additions.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes. Thighs are juicier and stay tender, but breasts work fine too.
How do I make it sweeter or less sweet?
Adjust the amount of honey in the sauce to suit your taste.
Conclusion
Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles are a versatile and flavorful weeknight favorite that delivers bold, comforting flavors in under 30 minutes. With its sweet-savory sauce, tender chicken, and satisfying noodles, this recipe is easy to customize and perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Once you try it, it’s sure to become a go-to in your dinner rotation.
Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles
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- Author: Mia
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles are a flavorful Asian-inspired dish made with tender chicken, noodles, and a sticky-sweet garlic sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 250g dried noodles
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
- 1 red chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
- Spring onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
- In a pan, heat oil over medium-high heat and cook diced chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and chili. Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and simmer until it thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and coat it well in the sticky sauce.
- Add the cooked noodles to the pan and toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Garnish with chopped spring onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Adjust chili to your spice preference or omit entirely for a milder dish.
- You can use any kind of noodles—egg noodles, rice noodles, or even spaghetti.
- To make it vegetarian, substitute chicken with tofu or mushrooms and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
