Description
Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles are a delicious and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender seared chicken thighs coated in a sticky, sweet-savory garlic sauce served over perfectly cooked lo mein noodles. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of umami, sweetness, heat, and aromatic garlic, finished with sesame seeds and green onions for the ultimate flavor bomb experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Noodles and Oil
- 1 lb lo mein noodles (or spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, but recommended)
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Additional Garnishes
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Cooking Oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Toss until all pieces are evenly coated to help achieve a crispy texture when cooked.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions until just tender. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Drain and Toss: Immediately toss the drained noodles with sesame oil to prevent sticking and add a layer of flavor. Set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet used for cooking the chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté over medium heat for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, oyster sauce (if using), grated ginger, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat while stirring constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy, sticky consistency.
- Add Chicken and Noodles: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the prepared noodles. Toss everything together until the chicken and noodles are evenly coated in the sticky garlic sauce.
- Heat Through: Cook the combined mixture for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure everything is heated through and well combined.
- Serve: Immediately plate the sticky garlic chicken noodles and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added texture and flavor. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of chili oil.
- If oyster sauce is unavailable, you can omit it or substitute with hoisin sauce for a different flavor twist.
- The cornstarch helps create the sticky coating on the chicken and thickens the sauce; do not skip it.
- Any long pasta type can substitute for lo mein noodles if needed.
- Make sure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best aromatic flavor.
- Serve immediately as the noodles can clump if left to sit too long.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: sticky garlic chicken noodles, garlic chicken noodles, sticky chicken, lo mein noodles, Asian chicken stir-fry, sweet garlic chicken, sesame chicken noodles
