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Upgrade a classic package of store-bought ramen with this simple 15-minute recipe for Chicken Ramen Noodles in Peanut Sauce! The easy dinner is fast, affordable and full of flavor!
Sometimes you just need a quick dinner idea that comes together in a flash with ingredients that you already have on hand. A spicy chicken ramen recipe is the answer to the constant question, “what’s for dinner?!”
The kid-friendly dish can be customized to suit the tastebuds of your diners, so add more chili sauce for a spicy dish, or keep it mild and omit the heat altogether. No matter how you prepare it, the whole family will slurp up these homemade ramen noodles in a creamy peanut sauce!
What is Chicken Ramen?
Every college student’s favorite meal, Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup packets are quick-cooking noodles that come with a chicken-flavored seasoning packet. They cost about $0.32 per pack at my grocery store, so they make an inexpensive base for a filling dinner.
How to make Chicken Ramen better:
Let’s be real, though — a plain pack of Chicken Ramen Noodles prepared dorm-room style is not exactly the homemade dinner that our family is craving! Instead, you can use the noodles to prepare a simple, filling and satisfying Asian inspired dinner — in just a matter of minutes!
The addition of a spicy peanut sauce, diced chicken, and flavorful toppings make this Chicken Ramen better than the basic pantry staple!
How to Make Chicken Ramen Noodles in Peanut Sauce:
First, let’s start with the chicken! I like to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for a shortcut, but you can also cook 1 lb. of diced, boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a skillet if you prefer. The instructions for cooking your own chicken are included in the recipe below.
You will also need 3 packages (3 ounces each) of Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup. These come with a seasoning packet, so hold onto those as well.
Boil the ramen noodles with the seasoning packets for about 3 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
While the noodles boil, you’ll have a few minutes to prepare the peanut sauce.
Simply whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, and Sriracha hot chili sauce. I like to put the mixture in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds in order to melt the peanut butter, which makes it easier to combine the ingredients. If you prefer a mild, kid-friendly sauce, just omit the Sriracha!
The mixture will be thick, which is fine! You will be adding the seasoned pasta water to the sauce to thin it later.
Remove the cooked noodles from the water, reserving the seasoned cooking water. Toss the hot noodles with the chicken and peanut sauce until everything is completely combined. Slowly add 1-2 tablespoons of the hot cooking water at a time until the sauce thins and reaches the desired consistency.
Serve the noodles while they’re still warm, sit back, and listen to the praise from your family. This is not your average college kid’s Chicken Ramen!
How to make Chicken Ramen spicy:
The Sriracha hot chili sauce adds a spicy kick to this recipe. You can use more or less of the chili sauce, depending on your preferred level of heat. Garnish with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired! Again, if you don’t want a spicy dish, just omit the chili sauce.
What to serve with Chicken Ramen Noodles:
Serve the noodles with steamed broccoli (microwaveable bags are so convenient!), with stir-fried mixed vegetables, or just with a garnish of green onions, cilantro and chopped peanuts.
COOK’S TIPS AND RECIPE VARIATIONS:
- For a shortcut, buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and use the cooked meat right off the bird. You can skip the step of browning the chicken in a skillet!
- Add veggies! You can stir broccoli, peas, mixed vegetables, or any of your favorite veggies right into the noodles!
- Switch up the flavors! Instead of Chicken Ramen, make Shrimp Ramen Noodles by using Shrimp Flavor Ramen and adding cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp.
- Do you have sesame oil in your pantry? Add 1-2 teaspoons of sesame oil to the peanut sauce. You’ll have a rich, toasty Peanut Sesame Sauce that’s to-die-for!
- Like a sweet-and-salty peanut sauce? Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the mixture.
- Omit the Sriracha hot chili sauce for a mild, kid-friendly ramen dish.
Other easy chicken recipes that you might enjoy:
- Dump-and-Bake Kung Pao Chicken
- Dump-and-Bake General Tso Chicken
- Dump-and-Bake Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Cold Peanut Sesame Noodles
Chicken Ramen Noodles in Peanut Soy Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast (such as from a store-bought rotisserie chicken) (or, you can brown raw chicken in a skillet, so see notes below for that option)
- 3 (3 ounce) packages chicken flavored ramen noodles (I used Maruchan brand)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce (this makes the noodles a little bit spicy, so you can omit it if you're serving to young children)
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- ½ cup coarsely chopped peanuts
Instructions
For the Chicken:
- If you prefer to cook your own chicken rather than purchasing store-bought cooked rotisserie chicken, start by heating 2 teaspoons of canola oil (or other mild oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb. raw, diced chicken breast and cook, stirring regularly, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
For the Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, peanut butter, and Sriracha chili sauce until smooth. I like to microwave the mixture for about 20-30 seconds before whisking, just until the peanut butter starts to melt, which helps the ingredients come together smoothly. The sauce will be thick, which is fine -- you will be adding cooking water to thin the mixture later. Set aside.
For the Noodles:
- Bring about 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 3 seasoning packets from the ramen noodle packages, as well as the ramen noodles. Boil noodles with the seasoning until noodles are tender (about 3 minutes), stirring occasionally. Remove noodles to a large bowl, and be sure to reserve the cooking liquid.
- While noodles are still hot, stir in cooked chicken and peanut sauce. Add cooking water, a couple of tablespoons at a time, to thin the sauce, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Garnish with green onions and chopped peanuts. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a shortcut, buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and use the cooked meat right off the bird. You can skip the step of browning the chicken in a skillet!
- Add veggies! You can stir broccoli, peas, mixed vegetables, or any of your favorite veggies right into the noodles!
- Switch up the flavors! Instead of Chicken Ramen, make Shrimp Ramen Noodles by using Shrimp Flavor Ramen and adding cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp.
- Do you have sesame oil in your pantry? Add 1-2 teaspoons of sesame oil to the peanut sauce. You'll have a rich, toasty Peanut Sesame Sauce that's to-die-for!
- Like a sweet-and-salty peanut sauce? Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the mixture.
- Omit the Sriracha hot chili sauce for a mild, kid-friendly ramen dish.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in January, 2014. It was updated in January, 2019.
This looks so yummy Blair! And pretty easy too 🙂 Must give this a try soon!
Dear Blair,
I absolutely loved your recipe. Thank you so much will make it again and again!
Hi, Regina! That’s great! Thanks so much for letting me know. 🙂
Unsure of when and where you are using the Ramon noodle flavor packets?
Hi, Lynda! You boil the noodles with the flavor packets. So you’re putting the seasoning into the boiling water.
Hope that helps! 🙂
the liquid you pour off s actually chicken broth. I would keep t and use it as a soup base.
Hi,
How much peanut butter and soy sauce do you mix together to make the peanut sauce?
Hi, Stacy! The measurements are included in the recipe above — 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and 6 tablespoons of peanut butter. 🙂
Mine did not turn out this pretty.. mixing the water and noodles got a little too creamy..
Hi, Liz! If the sauce is too thick or creamy, you can use warm water to thin it to reach your desired consistency. 🙂