Craving a spicy, peanutty, and incredibly satisfying meal? These Savory Gochujang Chicken Noodles are your answer! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish is bursting with flavor and comes together in just 20 minutes using simple pantry staples like ramen noodles, peanut butter, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
Ingredients for Gochujang Ramen Noodles
To make these delicious noodles, you’ll need some basic ingredients you likely already have on hand. We’re using classic ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet), but feel free to use any stir-fry noodles you prefer.
For the Sauce:
- Soy Sauce: Adds a salty, umami base.
- Gochujang Sauce: Opt for gochujang paste if you like more heat.
- Tomato Paste: For depth and a hint of sweetness.
- Peanut Butter: Brings a creamy, nutty flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the spice with a touch of sweetness.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a rich, toasty aroma.
- Garlic: For a pungent kick.
- Broth or Water: To thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
For the Noodles:
- Ground Chicken: Ground pork or turkey also work well.
- Ramen Noodle Bricks: Just the noodles, skip the seasoning packet.
- Fresh Spinach: Adds a healthy green element.
- Fresh Herbs, Chili Oil, and Sesame Seeds: For garnish and extra flavor.
What is Gochujang?
Gochujang is a Korean staple, known for its spicy, sweet, and savory taste. This fermented paste is made from soybeans, red chili flakes, sticky rice, and salt. It’s a versatile ingredient, used in everything from marinades to stews. In this recipe, we’ve used gochujang sauce, which is milder and easier to find in grocery stores, but if you have the paste, it adds an extra depth of flavor.
How to Make These Delicious Noodles
These noodles are quick and simple to prepare, making them a great choice for busy evenings.
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix all sauce ingredients (except the extra broth) in a bowl until smooth.
- Cook the Chicken: In a skillet, brown the ground chicken, seasoning generously as it cooks.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the ramen noodles until tender, then drain.
- Combine Everything: Add fresh spinach to the cooked chicken, then toss in the noodles. Pour the sauce over and stir everything together, adding extra broth if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
Serve your noodles hot, topped with fresh herbs, green onions, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of chili oil for that extra kick.
Substitutions and Add-Ins
This recipe is highly adaptable! Here are some ideas to make it your own:
- Vegetarian Options: Replace the chicken with vegetarian crumbles, crispy tofu, or extra veggies like bell peppers, roasted broccoli, or mushrooms.
- Alternative Spice: If you don’t have gochujang, try sambal oelek, sriracha, or any other chili paste. Just adjust the spice level to your liking.
Don’t forget to customize your bowl with fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, chives, or green onions. A splash of sesame oil, a squeeze of lime juice, and some toasted sesame seeds will elevate the dish even further.
Final Thoughts
These Savory Gochujang Chicken Noodles are sure to become a weeknight favorite. Their quick preparation, combined with bold flavors, makes them a go-to dish for noodle lovers everywhere. Let us know how often you make these noodles and share your creative twists on this recipe. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
