Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

These easy Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken are tossed with tender chicken, fresh veggies and noodles in a creamy homemade peanut sauce. Packed with protein and tons of flavor, this healthy peanut noodle recipe makes the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Creamy, saucy peanut noodles are always a favorite in our house and this easy recipe comes together with simple ingredients for a delicious dinner the whole family will love. You get tender chicken, noodles and plenty of colorful veggies all tossed together in the most flavorful peanut sauce.

These chicken peanut noodles are also easy to customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand and are great for meal prep. Add a little sriracha or crushed red pepper if you like some heat and don’t forget a squeeze of fresh lime just before serving!

Why You’ll Love This

• Quick and easy – a simple weeknight dinner that doesn’t require complicated ingredients or techniques.
• Healthy and filling – chicken adds plenty of protein while colorful veggies make this a satisfying, well-rounded meal.
• That peanut sauce! Creamy, savory, slightly sweet and packed with delicious peanut flavor.
• Easy to customize – swap the vegetables, protein or noodles based on what you already have.
• Great for meal prep – these peanut noodles hold up well for easy lunches throughout the week.
• Family-friendly – keep the sauce mild for kids or add extra spice for the adults.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breasts work great in these peanut noodles. Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly.
• noodles – use the noodles called for in the recipe or see my suggestions below for easy substitutions.
• vegetables – fresh vegetables add color, texture and nutrients while making this a complete meal. Feel free to swap in your favorites.
• peanut butter – the star of our creamy peanut sauce! I recommend using natural creamy peanut butter for the best flavor and consistency.
• soy sauce – adds savory, salty flavor to the sauce. I prefer low-sodium soy sauce so you can better control the saltiness.
• fresh ginger – adds warm, zippy flavor that pairs perfectly with the peanut butter.
• garlic – fresh minced garlic adds tons of flavor to the peanut sauce.
• sweetener – a little sweetness balances the savory peanut sauce.
• lime – fresh lime juice adds acidity and brightness and helps balance the richness of the peanut butter.
• sesame oil – adds a delicious toasted, nutty flavor. A little goes a long way!
• sriracha or red pepper flakes – optional, but perfect if you like your peanut noodles with a little heat.

Homemade Peanut Sauce

The creamy peanut sauce is what makes these noodles SO good. It’s the perfect combination of savory, nutty, slightly sweet and tangy flavors and comes together in just minutes.

Whisk the peanut butter together with the remaining sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. If your sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of warm water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

I like the sauce creamy enough to coat every noodle without being heavy or overly thick. Remember that it will thicken slightly as it sits, so don’t be afraid to make it a little thinner initially.

How to Make Saucy Peanut Noodles

1. Make the peanut sauce. Whisk together all the peanut sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Add a little warm water, if needed, until the sauce reaches a pourable consistency.
2. Cook the noodles. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Cook the chicken. While the noodles cook, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the vegetables. Add the vegetables to the skillet and cook until crisp-tender. You want them cooked through but still colorful with a little bite.
5. Add the noodles and sauce. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet along with the peanut sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles, chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
6. Serve. Divide between bowls and top with your favorite garnishes. I love fresh cilantro, green onions, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

What Kind of Noodles are Best for Peanut Noodles?

You have plenty of options! Use whatever works best for your family or what you already have in the pantry.

• Rice noodles – a great option for soaking up all that creamy peanut sauce.
• Spaghetti or linguine – easy pantry staples that work really well in this recipe.
• Soba noodles – add a slightly nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with peanut sauce.
• Udon noodles – thick and chewy and especially delicious with a creamy sauce.
• Whole wheat noodles – an easy way to add a little extra fiber.
• Gluten-free noodles – use your favorite gluten-free pasta or rice noodles and pair with tamari instead of soy sauce if needed.

Whatever you choose, avoid overcooking the noodles since they’ll cook a little more when tossed with the warm chicken, vegetables and sauce.

How to Keep Peanut Noodles Creamy

Peanut sauce naturally thickens as it sits, which can sometimes make peanut noodles seem dry or sticky. The easiest fix is to reserve a little pasta water before draining your noodles. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the warm cooking water and toss until everything becomes creamy again.

You can do the same thing with plain warm water or a little extra lime juice. Also, don’t rinse traditional wheat pasta after cooking. The starch left on the noodles helps the peanut sauce cling to them.

Vegetables You Can Add

This recipe is really easy to customize based on what’s in your fridge. For the best texture, add firmer vegetables first and quick-cooking vegetables toward the end. Here are some veggies you can try:

• Broccoli
• Bell peppers
• Carrots
• Snow peas
• Sugar snap peas
• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Shredded cabbage
• Edamame
• Baby spinach
• Green beans

Tips, Tricks and Substitutions

• Don’t overcook the noodles – cook them just until al dente so they don’t become mushy once tossed with the sauce.
• Use natural peanut butter – creamy natural peanut butter gives the sauce great peanut flavor without unnecessary added sugar.
• Thin the sauce as needed – peanut butter brands vary in consistency, so add warm water a little at a time until your sauce is creamy and pourable.
• Cut the chicken evenly – similar-sized pieces cook at the same rate and stay nice and juicy.
• Adjust the heat – add more sriracha or red pepper flakes if you like things spicy, or leave them out for a kid-friendly version.
• Swap the protein – shrimp, thinly sliced beef or tofu would all work well in place of the chicken.
• Finish with fresh lime – a squeeze of lime right before serving really brightens up the creamy peanut sauce.

Meal Prep Tips

• Prep the homemade peanut sauce ahead of time and store it in a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Chop all the vegetables and herbs in advance for easy assembly.
• Store toppings like peanuts and sesame seeds separately to keep them crunchy.
• Divide into meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• Double the sauce if you love extra saucy noodles or want extra for dipping spring rolls or drizzling over veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Asian Recipes

• Asian Glazed Turkey Meatballs
• Asian Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry
• Crunchy Thai Chicken Salad
• Mongolian Ground Beef Bowls
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps

Hope you all enjoy these Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken and if you love this as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!