Garlic Chicken Noodles

Choosing recipe labeled "15 minute garlic chicken noodles" for busy weeknight seemed brilliant until discovering actual preparation took 45 minutes creating progressively hangrier family waiting for promised quick dinner. The garlic chicken noodles recipe time estimate not accounting for chicken cutting, garlic mincing, or noodle boiling taught me that cook time and total time are completely different measurements.

What is Garlic Chicken Noodles

Garlic chicken noodles are Asian inspired stir fry dish combining chicken breast, noodles, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil creating savory quick meal theoretically ready in fifteen minutes according to lying recipe bloggers. Traditional versions might simmer for hours developing deep flavors, but weeknight adaptation promises speed by using high heat and simple sauce. The combination of tender chicken, chewy noodles, and garlicky sauce tastes delicious when family isn't standing around kitchen asking when dinner will be ready every thirty seconds.

How to Make Garlic Chicken Noodles

What Makes Our Version Special

Using fresh garlic instead of jarred creates authentic flavor that's worth the mincing time not mentioned in recipe estimates. We marinate chicken briefly while prepping other ingredients maximizing flavor in minimal time. High heat cooking creates restaurant quality stir fry texture without needing professional wok. The sauce comes together quickly once everything prepped which is the part recipe conveniently forgets to include in time calculation.

Garlic Chicken Noodles Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine or white wine
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Noodles:

• 12 oz lo mein or spaghetti noodles
• Water for boiling
• Salt for pasta water

For the Garlic Sauce:

• 8 cloves garlic, minced (takes forever)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For Cooking:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Red pepper flakes optional

Step by Step Method

Cut Chicken Into Bite Sized Pieces

• THIS TAKES 10 MINUTES NOT INCLUDED IN "15 MINUTE" TIME
• Slice chicken breasts into thin strips
• Cut strips into bite sized pieces
• Chicken should be uniform size for even cooking
• Pat dry with paper towels
• Already 10 minutes in and haven't started cooking

Marinate Chicken Briefly

• Toss chicken with soy sauce, wine, cornstarch
• Let sit while prepping everything else
• Even 5 minutes makes difference in flavor
• Recipe says "quickly marinate" without time mentioned
• Family asking when dinner ready

Boil Water and Cook Noodles

• ANOTHER 12 MINUTES NOT IN "15 MINUTE" ESTIMATE
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil
• Cook noodles according to package directions
• Usually takes 8 to 10 minutes
• Drain and set aside
• Waiting for water to boil adds more time
• Now 22 minutes in still no dinner

Mince Garlic Cloves

• TAKES 5 MINUTES IF YOU'RE FAST
• Peel and mince 8 garlic cloves
• Fine mince for best flavor distribution
• Can use garlic press if desperate
• This step conveniently omitted from time calculation
• 27 minutes elapsed family getting hostile

Mix Sauce Ingredients

• Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil
• Add brown sugar, vinegar, chicken broth, cornstarch
• Stir until cornstarch dissolved
• This part actually is quick
• One thing that doesn't take longer than claimed

Stir Fry Chicken Over High Heat

• Heat wok or large skillet until very hot
• Add oil and swirl to coat
• Add chicken in single layer don't crowd
• Cook 3 to 4 minutes until golden and cooked through
• Remove chicken and set aside
• Actually goes fast if pan hot enough

Cook Garlic Until Fragrant

• Add bit more oil to same pan
• Add minced garlic cook 30 seconds stirring constantly
• Garlic burns quickly watch carefully
• Smell should be amazing
• If burnt start over adding more time

Combine Everything Together

• Return chicken to pan with garlic
• Add cooked noodles
• Pour sauce over everything
• Toss vigorously to coat
• Cook 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens
• Everything should be hot and combined

Garnish and Serve Immediately

• Top with sliced green onions
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds
• Add red pepper flakes if wanted
• Serve hot right away
• TOTAL TIME: 45 MINUTES NOT 15
• Explain to angry family why took so long

What Pairs Well With Garlic Chicken Noodles?

These savory garlic chicken noodles pair naturally with steamed vegetables, egg rolls, or pot stickers creating Asian themed meal. Serve them at casual dinners alongside fried rice, spring rolls, or cucumber salad. For beverages, pair with iced tea, beer, or sake that complement garlic flavors.

Garlic Chicken Noodles Variations

Shrimp Garlic Noodles

• Use shrimp instead of chicken
• Cooks slightly faster actually
• Still not 15 minutes though
• Different protein same sauce

Vegetarian Garlic Noodles

• Skip chicken use tofu or mushrooms
• Increase vegetables like broccoli, peppers
• Reduces some prep time
• Still requires noodle boiling

Spicy Garlic Noodles

• Add sriracha or chili oil to sauce
• Include fresh chilies with garlic
• Creates heat lovers version
• Same misleading time estimate

Creamy Garlic Noodles

• Add heavy cream to sauce
• Creates richer creamier version
• Different flavor profile
• Probably adds 2 more minutes somehow

Equipment You'll Need

Essential Tools:

• Large pot for boiling noodles
• Wok or large skillet for stir frying
• Sharp knife for chicken cutting
• Garlic press or patience for mincing
• Colander for draining noodles
• Tongs or spatula for tossing

Storage Tips That Keep Them Fresh

Best Fresh

• Garlic chicken noodles taste best immediately when noodles haven't absorbed all sauce
• Texture stays best within first hour
• Reheated never quite as good as fresh

Make Ahead Strategy

• Can prep chicken and sauce ahead
• Cook noodles fresh when serving
• Having everything ready makes it actually quick
• Should have done this from start

Storing Leftovers

• Store in airtight container refrigerate up to 3 days
• Noodles will absorb sauce and soften
• Reheat in microwave or skillet adding splash water
• Texture won't be same but flavor still good

Garlic Chicken Noodles FAQs

Time Estimate Reality

The quick dinner recipe taking triple claimed time created hangry family meltdown proving time estimates don't account for actual preparation. Cook time and total time are different measurements recipe bloggers conveniently conflate. Sometimes trusting misleading estimates without reading full recipe creates situations where choosing supposedly fast meal results in same cooking duration as anything else while everyone waits starving asking repeatedly when dinner will be ready.

Ready for more noodles? Try our Pastalaya Recipe for Cajun one pot, or explore our Mac and Cheese Meatloaf Casserole for comfort mashup. For Asian bowls, our Dumpling Ramen Bowl delivers satisfying meal.

Share your garlic chicken noodles! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #GarlicChickenNoodles; we're dying to see your noodles and hear about your time estimate fail stories!

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