Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles

This recipe serves 4 and is endlessly flexible depending on what you already have in the kitchen.

Spicy Peanut Butter NoodlesCreamy, spicy, salty, and completely addictive. This is one of my favorite quick dinners when I want something comforting without a lot of effort. The sauce comes together in minutes, and almost any noodle works. Grilled chicken or shrimp make it a more complete meal, but these noodles are also fantastic all on their own.

Ingredients

• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 heaping teaspoons sambal oelek
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated on a microplane
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• ¾ pound noodles of choice
  • Ramen
  • Udon
  • Chow mein noodles
  • Spaghetti
  • Honestly, just about any noodle works
• Cooked or grilled chicken or shrimp (optional)

Optional Garnishes

• Chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced green onion
• Chili oil or extra chili paste

Directions

1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. If using chicken or shrimp, grill or sauté it while the noodles cook. Set aside and chop into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the neutral oil. Sauté the garlic and ginger for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
4. Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, peanut butter, and sambal oelek. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the peanut butter melts into a silky sauce.
5. Return the drained noodles to the pot and pour the peanut sauce over the top. Toss until all the noodles are coated.
6. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Stir in the cooked chicken or shrimp, if using.
8. Top with chopped peanuts, cilantro, green onion, and as much chili oil or extra sambal oelek as your heart desires.

Notes

• These noodles are great hot, but I also love them cold straight from the fridge the next day.
• If you like things extra spicy, add more sambal oelek or a drizzle of chili crisp.
• Want more vegetables? Toss in sautéed bok choy, shredded carrots, snap peas, or broccoli.

Creamy, spicy, salty, and completely addictive. This is one of my favorite quick dinners when I want something comforting without a lot of effort. The sauce comes together in minutes, and almost any noodle works. Grilled chicken or shrimp make it a more complete meal, but these noodles are also fantastic all on their own.
Ingredients

• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 heaping teaspoons sambal oelek
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated on a microplane
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• ¾ pound noodles of choice
  • Ramen
  • Udon
  • Chow mein noodles
  • Spaghetti
  • Honestly, just about any noodle works
• Cooked or grilled chicken or shrimp (optional)

Optional Garnishes

• Chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced green onion
• Chili oil or extra chili paste
• limes

Directions

1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. If using chicken or shrimp, grill or sauté it while the noodles cook. Set aside and chop into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the neutral oil. Sauté the garlic and ginger for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
4. Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, peanut butter, and sambal oelek. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Continue cooking for a few minutes until the peanut butter melts into a silky sauce.
5. Return the drained noodles to the pot and pour the peanut sauce over the top. Toss until all the noodles are coated.
6. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Stir in the cooked chicken or shrimp, if using.
8. Top with chopped peanuts, cilantro, green onion, and as much chili oil or extra sambal oelek as your heart desires. Give it a good squirt of fresh lime juice if you like.

Notes

• These noodles are great hot, but I also love them cold straight from the fridge the next day.
• If you like things extra spicy, add more sambal oelek or a drizzle of chili crisp.
• Want more vegetables? Toss in sautéed bok choy, shredded carrots, snap peas, or broccoli.