Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces egg noodles or your favorite noodle variety (like lo mein or spaghetti)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or any neutral cooking oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, thinly sliced (substitute with chicken breast if preferred)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (use pre-minced garlic in a pinch)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (optional but highly recommended for depth)
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste or omit for kids)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (optional, for finishing)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside, tossing with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- While the noodles cook, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to burn it! This step always reminds me of standing on that wobbly chair next to my dad, watching those pots bubble and smelling the garlic fill the apartment.
- Pour in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey (or brown sugar), rice vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the drained noodles. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly so the noodles are evenly coated in that sticky garlic sauce. This is the part where the kitchen gets messy but the magic really happens—don’t be afraid to get your hands in there if it helps!
- Stir in the green onions and drizzle with toasted sesame oil if using. Give it one last toss and turn off the heat.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds if you have them on hand. The best part? Watching everyone dive in with big smiles and full plates.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles, recipe, cooking, food
