Creamy Thai Peanut Noodle Bowls (Printable)

Savory peanut-coated noodles with chicken and vegetables featuring crispy edges

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein

01 - 1 pound ground chicken
02 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil

→ Noodles

03 - 8 ounces wide rice noodles or lo mein noodles

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup shredded carrots
06 - 1 cup snap peas, halved
07 - 4 green onions, sliced

→ Peanut Sauce

08 - 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
09 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
14 - 1/2 cup water

→ Garnishes

15 - 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges

# Steps:

01 - In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, sriracha, and water until smooth. Add more water for a thinner consistency if desired. Set aside.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Toss lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
03 - Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same pan, add bell pepper, carrots, snap peas, and half the green onions. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender while maintaining vibrant color.
05 - Add drained noodles to the pan, pressing them gently into an even layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes to form crispy edges on the bottom, similar to potsticker preparation.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the prepared peanut sauce and toss everything together until well combined and heated through, loosening with additional water if needed.
07 - Divide among bowls. Garnish with chopped peanuts, remaining green onions, cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy peanut sauce clings to every noodle in a way that feels indulgent but never heavy.
  • That potsticker noodle technique gives you crispy edges and chewy centers in one bowl—textural magic that feels fancy but happens completely by accident.
  • It comes together in 40 minutes flat, which means you can have dinner on the table before anyone gets too hungry.
02 -
  • Don't skip pressing the noodles into the pan—that crispy bottom layer is what transforms this from a regular noodle dish into something memorable.
  • Taste your sauce before it hits the noodles; everyone's heat tolerance is different, so adjust the sriracha to your preference rather than following blindly.
03 -
  • Make your sauce ahead of time—it keeps in the fridge for days, which means you're only ever a quick cook away from this meal.
  • If your noodles are sticking together before they hit the pan, a light coat of oil does wonders and doesn't change the final result.
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