Szechuan Sesame Noodle Bowl with Crisp Chicken
A vibrant, umami-packed noodle bowl with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a spicy-sweet sesame sauce that's ready in under 30 minutes. This asian-inspired quick meals (gluten-free, high-protein) ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, vegetable oil, chicken breast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 lb chicken breast
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 cups (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots), sliced mixed vegetables
- 2, sliced green onions
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 lb thinly sliced chicken breast and cook for 5 minutes until golden and cooked through, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant without browning.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Whisk 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp sesame oil in a small bowl, then pour into skillet.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water, cooking for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the vegetables. Add drained spaghetti and 1/2 lb cooked chicken, tossing until heated through (2 minutes).
- Step 6: Sprinkle with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Szechuan Sesame Noodle Bowl with Crisp Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Szechuan Sesame Noodle Bowl with Crisp Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Szechuan Sesame Noodle Bowl with Crisp Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Szechuan Sesame Noodle Bowl with Crisp Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Szechuan Sesame Noodle Bowl with Crisp Chicken gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.