Taylor's Chai Tea Chicken Noodles
A spiced chicken and noodle dish infused with Indian-inspired chai flavors, celebrating the growing diversity of U.S. households. This indian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 65 minutes pairs chicken thighs, ramen noodles, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 cups ramen noodles
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 10 leaves green tea leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a pot, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add 10 green tea leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cardamom pods, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp coriander, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove tea and spices.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs to the tea broth. Simmer for 20 minutes until tender. Shred meat and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, cook 2 cups ramen noodles according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup coconut milk, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp salt. Cook for 5 minutes. Fold in shredded chicken and 1/2 cup pasta water. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Taylor's Chai Tea Chicken Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Taylor's Chai Tea Chicken Noodles?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Taylor's Chai Tea Chicken Noodles?
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 Taylor's Chai Tea Chicken Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Taylor's Chai Tea Chicken Noodles vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to pasta dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
