If you are craving a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and satisfyingly chewy textures all in one bowl, this Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe will quickly become one of your go-to meals. Crisp-tender vegetables, tender marinated chicken, and slippery udon noodles drenched in a luscious homemade teriyaki sauce come together to create a dish that feels comforting yet exciting with each bite. It’s a wonderful meal for busy weeknights or anytime you want to impress with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe plays an important role, whether it’s building the foundation of the sauce, adding texture, or brightening the dish with fresh flavors. Together, they create a harmony that makes this recipe truly special.
- Soy sauce: The salty backbone that gives the teriyaki sauce its signature umami depth.
- Water: Balances the intensity of the sauce to keep it from being too overpowering.
- Mirin: Adds a gentle sweetness and subtle tang from the sweet rice wine.
- Brown sugar: Enhances the caramel notes and deepens the sauce’s richness.
- Honey: Provides a natural sweetness that softens sharp flavors and helps the sauce thicken.
- Garlic (minced): Brings bold flavor and aroma to both the sauce and stir-fry.
- Fresh ginger (grated): Adds a warm, zesty kick balancing the sweetness beautifully.
- Cornstarch slurry: Thickens the sauce for that perfect glossy texture that clings to every bite.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and tender, perfect for marinating and quick stir-frying.
- Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out natural flavors of the chicken.
- Vegetable oil: For high-heat cooking and ensuring everything gets a perfect sear.
- Udon noodles: Thick and chewy noodles that soak up the teriyaki flavor deliciously.
- Onion (sliced): Adds sweetness and slight crunch to the vegetable mix.
- Carrots (julienned): Provide vibrant color and crunchy texture.
- Broccoli florets: A nutritious green punch with a nice bite.
- Cabbage (sliced): Light, crisp, and slightly sweet for balancing hearty chicken and noodles.
- Additional garlic and ginger: Infuse the veggies with the same lovely flavors as the sauce.
- Green onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor for garnish that brightens the dish.
- Sesame seeds: Add subtle nuttiness and a beautiful finishing touch.
How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
Start by whisking together soy sauce, water, mirin, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and fresh ginger in a small saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium heat until it just starts to simmer, releasing those wonderful aromas. The careful balance of salty, sweet, and zesty here sets the stage for the entire dish.
Step 2: Thicken the Sauce
Now, to get that perfect glossy finish, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry while keeping the sauce at a gentle simmer. Stir frequently for a couple minutes until it thickens nicely. This thickened sauce is what will beautifully coat the chicken, vegetables, and noodles later on.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Season the chicken thighs with a pinch of salt and pepper, then toss them with a quarter cup of the teriyaki sauce you just made. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, allowing those incredible flavors to seep deeply into the meat. If you have extra time, letting it marinate longer will only enhance the taste.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and stir-fry until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through, about five minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate so you can cook the vegetables next without losing flavor.
Step 5: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Using the same pan, toss in sliced onions and julienned carrots. Stir-fry them for two to three minutes until they begin to soften and release their natural sweetness. Then add broccoli florets, sliced cabbage, minced garlic, and grated ginger, stir-frying a few more minutes until everything is crisp-tender but still vibrant and fresh.
Step 6: Cook the Udon Noodles
Follow the package instructions to cook your udon noodles until they are just al dente. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and prevent the noodles from sticking together—a little trick that makes tossing them later much easier.
Step 7: Combine Everything
Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables, add the drained noodles, and pour in the remaining teriyaki sauce. Toss everything together and stir-fry for another minute or two, ensuring each strand and piece is perfectly coated and piping hot. This final step brings all the flavors together in harmony.
Step 8: Plate and Garnish
Serve your Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe with a sprinkle of sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top. The fresh crunch and nutty notes add a wonderful finishing touch to this already spectacular dish. Now it’s time to gather around the table and enjoy!
How to Serve Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds are classic garnishes for this dish, adding pops of color and subtle aromas. You can also try a drizzle of chili oil or a squeeze of fresh lime for a delightful twist that lifts the flavors even higher.
Side Dishes
This meal shines as a standalone dish but pairs wonderfully with a simple cucumber salad or steamed dumplings for a complete Asian-inspired feast. A light miso soup can also round out the meal nicely without overshadowing the robust teriyaki noodles.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, try serving the noodles in individual bamboo steamers or on banana leaves for an exotic touch. Garnishing with finely chopped roasted peanuts or crispy fried shallots adds texture and an unexpected flourish that will impress your guests every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled promptly to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
Freezing
While freezing noodles can sometimes alter their texture, you can freeze the cooked chicken and vegetables with sauce portion separately for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and adding freshly cooked noodles.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to evenly distribute the sauce. If the noodles seem dry, add a splash of water or broth to bring back their moisture and gloss.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs stay more tender and juicy, chicken breasts work fine if you prefer leaner meat. Just be careful not to overcook them to avoid dryness.
What type of noodles work best for this Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe?
Udon noodles are ideal due to their chewy texture that holds up well in stir-fries. However, you can substitute with ramen, lo mein, or even spaghetti in a pinch.
Is mirin essential in the sauce?
Mirin adds a unique sweetness and complexity, but if unavailable, you can substitute with a mix of rice vinegar and a little sugar or simply omit it and adjust sweeteners to taste.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth or water to keep flavors rich and satisfying. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
How do I achieve perfectly cooked vegetables?
Keep the heat medium-high and stir-fry quickly in batches if needed to preserve crispness. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam rather than sear the veggies.
Final Thoughts
There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe that hits all the right notes—sweet, savory, tender, and vibrant all at once. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this recipe is a wonderful way to share delicious homemade goodness without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try soon and enjoy the smiles it brings around your table!
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Chicken Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
This Chicken Teriyaki Noodles recipe offers a deliciously savory and slightly sweet homemade teriyaki sauce paired with tender stir-fried chicken thighs, crisp-tender vegetables, and chewy udon noodles. Quick to prepare and cook, it combines the richness of soy, ginger, and garlic flavors to create a comforting Asian-inspired meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Vegetables & Noodles
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen udon noodles
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 carrots, julienned
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced cabbage
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Teriyaki Sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, water, mirin, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken Sauce: While whisking constantly, add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan. Simmer and stir frequently until the sauce thickens, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Marinate Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Pour 1/4 cup of the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Cook Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until it turns golden brown and is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry Vegetables: In the same pan, add sliced onion and julienned carrots; stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Add broccoli florets, sliced cabbage, minced garlic, and grated ginger; continue stir-frying for an additional 2-3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Prepare Noodles: Cook udon noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to prevent sticking.
- Combine and Heat: Return cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Add the cooked noodles along with the remaining teriyaki sauce. Toss everything together and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes to ensure noodles and chicken are evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the chicken teriyaki noodles, then top with sliced green onions and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve hot and enjoy this flavorful dish.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Adjust sweetness by varying honey and brown sugar to taste.
- Use fresh ginger and freshly minced garlic for best aromatic flavor.
- Udon noodles can be substituted with soba or rice noodles if preferred.
- Vegetables can be customized by adding bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms.
- Ensure to cook noodles al dente to avoid mushiness when stir-frying.
