Creamy Peanut-Lime Chicken With Noodles
Creamy Peanut-Lime Chicken With Noodles
Looking for an easy and tasty dinner in under 1 hour? Try this creamy peanut-lime chicken with noodles. Chicken pieces, veggies, and rice noodles are mixed in a smooth and flavorful peanut-lime sauce. It’s sweet, creamy, tangy – and full of flavor. Best part? You can prepare the ingredients in advance and make it quickly when needed!
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Kosher Salt (or regular salt) | As needed |
| Thick Rice Noodles | 8 oz (about 225g) |
| No-sugar-added Creamy Peanut Butter | ½ cup |
| Sweet Chili Sauce | 3 Tbsp |
| Tamari or Soy Sauce | 2 Tbsp |
| Sriracha Sauce | 1 Tbsp |
| Lime Zest | ½ tsp (finely grated) |
| Fresh Lime Juice | 2 Tbsp |
| Vegetable or Canola Oil | 2 Tbsp |
| Boneless Chicken Breast | 2 small or 1 large (about 8 oz), chopped |
| Red Bell Pepper | 1 small, thinly sliced |
| Garlic | 3 cloves, thinly sliced |
| Scallions (Spring Onion) | 3, white and green parts sliced separately |
| Fresh Ginger (peeled & chopped) | 2 Tbsp |
| Fresh Cilantro Leaves | ½ cup |
| Fresh Basil Leaves | ½ cup (small leaves) |
| Roasted Salted Peanuts | ⅓ cup, finely chopped |
| Lime Wedges | For serving |
Ingredient Details – Why They’re Important
In this creamy peanut-lime chicken recipe, each ingredient has its own role in making the dish rich and flavorful. The thick rice noodles are soft and soak up the sauce beautifully, making every bite full of flavor. Creamy peanut butter is the star of the dish—it brings richness, smooth texture, and nutty taste. The sweet chili sauce adds a light sweetness and spice, while soy sauce or tamari gives that umami (deep salty) flavor. A touch of sriracha brings a little heat that balances well with the creaminess of the peanut butter.
Lime zest and fresh lime juice add freshness and a citrusy punch that cuts through the heaviness of the sauce. Chicken breast is lean, protein-rich, and absorbs all the sauce flavors when cooked properly. Bell pepper adds crunch and color, and garlic gives a strong aroma and flavor kick. Ginger adds a slightly spicy and warm taste, which works great with the peanut and lime combo.
Scallions (spring onions) are used for both flavor and garnish—the white part is cooked for flavor, and the green part is added on top for freshness. Cilantro and basil leaves give that refreshing, herby finish. And finally, crushed roasted peanuts give a crunchy topping and enhance the overall peanut taste. The lime wedges served on the side allow everyone to adjust the tanginess to their liking.
How to Make It – Step-by-Step
- First, boil water in a medium pot. Add salt and rice noodles. Turn off the heat and let noodles soak for 13–15 minutes until soft. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a bowl, make the peanut-lime sauce: Mix peanut butter, chili sauce, soy sauce (or tamari), sriracha, lime zest, lime juice, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ cup warm water. Mix well and keep it aside.
- Heat oil in a large pan. Add chicken pieces with a little salt and cook for about 4 minutes till lightly golden.
- Add sliced bell pepper, garlic, white part of scallions, and ginger. Cook for 3 minutes until pepper is soft.
- Add noodles to the pan and mix everything well. Then turn off the heat and pour in the prepared sauce. Mix until all is coated nicely.
- Dish out into bowls. Garnish with green scallion parts, cilantro, basil leaves, and chopped peanuts. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Tip:
To save time, you can cut vegetables and marinate chicken in the morning or night before. Just soak noodles when you’re ready to cook.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: Around 600–700
- Protein: High from chicken & peanuts
- Good Fats: From peanut butter & peanuts
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