There's something incredibly satisfying about twirling noodles covered in that perfect glossy teriyaki sauce, especially when you know you made it from scratch instead of ordering expensive takeout that somehow never tastes quite as good as you hope it will. I discovered this teriyaki chicken noodles recipe during one of those weeks when I was craving Asian flavors but didn't want to spend a fortune or wait for delivery, and honestly, it's become our go-to weeknight dinner that makes everyone at the table happy. The best part is watching that homemade teriyaki sauce coat every strand of noodle and piece of chicken until everything is glossy and gorgeous.
What is Teriyaki Chicken Noodles
Teriyaki chicken noodles is a satisfying Asian-inspired dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with chewy noodles and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce that coats everything beautifully. Unlike heavy, sauce-laden takeout versions, this homemade dish balances the sweet soy-based sauce with fresh ingredients and proper technique to create a meal that's both comforting and surprisingly light. The dish brings together the best of stir-fry cooking with the satisfaction of noodles in one delicious bowl.
How To Make Teriyaki Chicken Noodles
Our teriyaki chicken noodles use a homemade teriyaki sauce that's perfectly balanced between sweet and salty, plus a cooking technique that ensures the chicken stays tender while the vegetables maintain their crisp texture. The secret is cooking the components separately and bringing them together at the end with the sauce, so everything maintains its individual character while the flavors meld beautifully. This method creates restaurant-quality results with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Teriyaki Chicken Noodles Ingredients
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
For the Noodles and Chicken:
- 8 oz egg noodles or lo mein noodles
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Step by Step Method
Cook Noodles to Perfect Texture
- Cook noodles according to package directions until just al dente
- Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process
- Toss with small amount of sesame oil to prevent sticking
- Slightly undercooking prevents mushy noodles when stir-frying
Create Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and rice vinegar
- Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create slurry
- Add cornstarch mixture, garlic, and ginger to sauce
- This homemade version tastes fresher than store-bought
Cook Chicken for Maximum Tenderness
- Heat oil in large wok or skillet over medium-high heat
- Add sliced chicken and cook 4-5 minutes until golden
- Don't overcrowd the pan or chicken will steam instead of sear
- Remove chicken and set aside when cooked through
Stir-Fry Vegetables and Combine
- Add more oil if needed, stir-fry bell pepper and snap peas 2-3 minutes
- Return chicken to pan, add cooked noodles
- Pour teriyaki sauce over everything and toss until well coated
- Cook 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy
What Pairs Well With Teriyaki Chicken Noodles?
These flavorful teriyaki chicken noodles pair beautifully with steamed edamame, cucumber salad, or crispy spring rolls for a complete Asian-inspired meal. Try them alongside miso soup or hot and sour soup for a warming starter. For lighter options, serve with a simple cabbage slaw or pickled vegetables to cut through the richness of the teriyaki sauce.
Teriyaki Chicken Noodles Variations
Vegetable-Packed Version:
- Add broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and baby corn
- Include water chestnuts for extra crunch
- More vegetables means more nutrition and color
- Perfect way to use up refrigerator vegetables
Spicy Teriyaki Heat:
- Add sriracha or chili garlic sauce to teriyaki mixture
- Include sliced jalapeños with the vegetables
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes at the end
- Perfect for spice lovers wanting extra kick
Protein Switch-Up:
- Use shrimp, beef, or tofu instead of chicken
- Adjust cooking times based on protein choice
- Same delicious sauce works with any protein
- Great for dietary preferences and variety
Noodle Alternatives:
- Try rice noodles, udon, or ramen noodles
- Each brings different texture to the dish
- Soba noodles add nutty flavor complexity
- Use whatever noodles you have on hand
Equipment
- Large wok or heavy skillet
- Large pot for cooking noodles
- Sharp knife for slicing chicken
- Whisk for sauce preparation
Storage Tips
Best Fresh
Serve immediately while noodles are hot and sauce is glossy. Fresh stir-fry has the most appealing texture and flavor contrast.
Leftover Magic
Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add splash of soy sauce or broth when reheating to refresh the flavors.
Make-Ahead Prep
Cook noodles and slice chicken ahead of time. Make sauce up to 2 days ahead for quick weeknight assembly.
Tips for Top Teriyaki Chicken Noodles
- Don't overcook the noodles initially; they'll finish cooking in the wok
- Slice chicken thin and uniform for even, quick cooking
- Have all ingredients prepped before starting; stir-frying happens fast
- Use high heat throughout for proper stir-fry technique and flavor
- Don't skip the cornstarch in sauce; it creates that signature glossy coating
- Fresh ginger and garlic make a huge difference in the final flavor
Frequently Asked Questions
Does teriyaki sauce go well with noodles?
Absolutely! Teriyaki sauce's sweet and savory profile pairs perfectly with noodles, especially when it's made fresh and coats every strand.
What goes well with chicken teriyaki?
Rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, and Asian salads all complement chicken teriyaki's sweet and savory flavors beautifully.
What makes chicken noodles taste better?
Fresh homemade sauce, proper cooking technique, and the right balance of protein to noodles to vegetables makes all the difference.
Should I add teriyaki sauce before or after cooking chicken?
Add the sauce after cooking the chicken and vegetables so it doesn't burn and maintains its glossy, flavorful coating.
Asian Comfort Made Simple
Now you have the secret to creating these incredible teriyaki chicken noodles that prove homemade Asian food can be both easier and tastier than takeout. This recipe shows that with a few quality ingredients and proper technique, you can create restaurant-worthy meals in your own kitchen.
Ready for more Asian favorites? Try our Ramen Noodles for customizable comfort bowl perfection, or explore our Italian Drunken Noodles for wine-infused pasta indulgence. For creamy comfort, our Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese uses similar satisfying techniques with spicy cheese results.
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Related
Looking for other recipes like teriyaki chicken noodles? Try these:
Chicken Teriyaki Noodles
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet (Or wok for stir frying)
- 1 Medium bowl (For marinating the chicken)
- 1 Tongs (For tossing noodles and chicken)
- 1 Pot (For boiling noodles (if uncooked))
Ingredients
- 12 oz lo mein noodles - or spaghetti, cooked and drained
- 1 lb boneless chicken - cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil - divided
- 1 cup broccoli florets - fresh or thawed frozen
- 2 green onions - sliced
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar - packed
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water - to dissolve cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil - optional for extra flavor
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds - for garnish
Instructions
- Cook noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil.
- Mix water and cornstarch separately, then add to sauce.
- Heat oil in skillet; sauté chicken until browned and cooked through.
- Add broccoli and stir-fry for 3 minutes.
- Pour sauce into skillet and simmer until thickened.
- Toss in noodles, coat everything with sauce evenly.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve.
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