Spicy Sesame Noodles With Chicken and Peanuts
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tbspred-pepper flakes
- 1 ½ tbsplow-sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ tsptoasted sesame oil
plus more as needed
- kosher salt and black pepper
- ½ cplus 1 tablespoon neutral oil
like grapeseed or vegetable
- 6 tbsproasted
salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
- rind of 1/2 orange
peeled into 2- to 3-inch strips
- 1 lbground chicken
- 10 ozramen or udon noodles
preferably fresh
- 3 tbspfinely chopped chives
Directions
- 1
In a medium heatproof bowl, stir together the red-pepper flakes, soy sauce and sesame oil. Set next to the stovetop.
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Meanwhile, in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, cook the 1/2 cup oil, peanuts and orange rind, shaking the pan occasionally, until the peanuts are golden and bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately pour the contents of the skillet over the red-pepper mixture (be careful of splattering!) and set aside.
- 3
Meanwhile, in the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add the chicken and press it down with a wooden spoon into a thin layer. Season with salt and a generous amount of black pepper and cook, without stirring, occasionally pressing the layer of chicken down, until the bottom is browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Break the chicken up into small pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more.
- 4
While the chicken cooks, cook the noodles according to package directions, until chewy but not soft. Drain and toss with a bit of sesame oil.
- 5
Remove and discard the orange rind from the chile oil. Off the heat, add enough chile oil to coat the chicken and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Add the noodles and toss, adding more chile oil to fully coat the noodles and chicken. (If you don't use all of the chile oil, you can store it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks in an airtight container.) Top with chives and serve at once.
Spicy Sesame Noodles With Chicken and Peanuts
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About this Recipe
Craving a vibrant, flavorful meal that comes together quickly on a busy weeknight? These Spicy Sesame Noodles With Chicken and Peanuts deliver an irresistible blend of heat and savory goodness, perfect for satisfying takeout cravings at home.
The magic in this dish begins with a technique that infuses maximum flavor: sizzling hot neutral oil is poured over a fragrant blend of red-pepper flakes, orange peel, crunchy peanuts, soy sauce, and sesame oil. This method allows the spices and aromatics to bloom, creating a deeply pronounced and fiery base while you brown the ground chicken, ensuring every bite is bursting with bright chile-peanut notes.
What you'll experience is a truly dynamic dish. Expect soft, satisfying ramen or udon noodles coated in a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce. The browned ground chicken adds a savory heft, while the roasted peanuts introduce a delightful textural crunch. The subtle citrus notes from the orange rind beautifully complement the warmth of the red-pepper flakes, making for a balanced yet bold flavor profile. This quick recipe is designed to bring significant flavor without extensive fuss, making it an ideal choice for a comforting lunch or a substantial dinner.
This versatile dish welcomes your personal touch. Easily swap the ground chicken for ground pork, beef, or even crumbled tofu for a different protein. If you're looking to add a boost of green, consider tossing in a quick-cooking green vegetable, like baby spinach or chopped bok choy, when you break up the chicken during cooking. Adjusting the amount of red-pepper flakes allows you to tailor the spice level to your preference.
Serve these Spicy Sesame Noodles as a satisfying main course, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a flavorful lunch. Its bold taste makes it a standalone star, though a simple side of steamed broccoli would complement it well.