This bowl brings together tender chicken, crisp broccoli, chewy rice noodles and a bold garlicky heat. Bright soy and sriracha lift the flavors while sesame seeds and green onions add a toasty finish. It cooks fast, smells amazing while sautéeing, and makes a satisfying weeknight meal with a little kick. If you enjoy chicken-and-broccoli combos, try a hearty chicken and broccoli comfort casserole as another family-friendly option.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 2 bowls
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 850 kcal
- Protein: 60 g
- Carbohydrates: 95 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
Why Make This Spicy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bowls
This recipe is fast, bold, and balanced. You get savory garlic and soy, a bright chili bite from sriracha, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli. The rice noodles soak up the sauce and give a pleasing chewy texture. It’s perfect when you want a hot, flavorful meal in under 30 minutes. The dish is flexible, so you can scale it up for meal prep or tweak the heat to suit your taste.
How to Make Spicy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bowls
Follow a few simple steps: cook the noodles first so they’re ready to join the skillet, then sauté garlic to release the aroma, cook chicken until golden and cooked through, add broccoli for color and crunch, and finish by tossing everything with soy and sriracha. The dish comes together quickly and smells garlicky and warm.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Green onions for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Slice the chicken into thin strips, wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets, and mince the garlic.
Step 2: Sautéing Garlic
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, about 30–45 seconds. The kitchen will smell warm and savory.
Step 3: Cooking the Chicken and Broccoli
Add the sliced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and has a light golden color, about 5–7 minutes. Add the broccoli florets and continue to cook until they are tender-crisp, about 3–4 minutes. The broccoli should stay bright green and slightly crunchy.
Step 4: Finishing and Tossing
Stir in the soy sauce and sriracha, mixing well so the sauce coats the chicken and broccoli. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss everything together until heated through and well combined. Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
How to Serve Spicy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bowls
Serve in wide bowls so the sauce and noodles spread out. Add a wedge of lime for brightness if you like extra tang. Pair with a simple cucumber salad or steamed greens for a light side. For a heartier meal, offer extra protein like a soft-boiled egg or more sesame seeds and crushed peanuts for crunch.
How to Store Spicy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bowls
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Freezer: Not ideal for freezing because noodles can get mushy. If you must freeze, separate into portions and use within 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly.
- Tip: If storing, keep sauce separate when possible to preserve noodle texture.
Expert Tips for Perfect Spicy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bowls
- Cut chicken thin and even so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Don’t overcook broccoli; aim for bright color and some bite.
- Rinse noodles after cooking with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, then toss lightly with oil if storing before finishing the dish.
- Taste and adjust heat: add more sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes for extra spice.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt and reduce overall sodium.
- For added depth, stir in 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil right at the end.
Delicious Variations
- Peanut-Sriracha Twist: Stir in 1–2 tablespoons peanut butter with the soy sauce for creamy, nutty flavor.
- Veggie-Loaded: Add sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or shredded carrots for extra color and crunch.
- Hoisin Swap: Replace half the soy sauce with hoisin for a sweeter, sticky glaze.
- Shrimp or Tofu: Swap chicken for shrimp (cook quickly) or firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Whole-Grain Noodles: Use soba or whole-wheat noodles for a different texture and more fiber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this milder for kids?
A: Yes. Reduce sriracha to 1 teaspoon or omit it and serve hot sauce at the table. Add a touch of honey to keep some flavor without heat.
Q: How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
A: Rinse cooked noodles under cold water, drain well, and toss with a little oil. Add them to the skillet only when you’re ready to finish the dish.
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli?
A: Yes. Thaw and drain excess water, then add a little earlier in the cook to remove extra moisture. Cook until tender.
Q: Is it okay to use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely. Thighs are juicier and add more flavor. Trim excess fat and adjust cooking time until fully cooked.
Q: How can I make this recipe for meal prep?
A: Cook noodles slightly underdone, cool quickly, and store in airtight containers. Keep sauce separate if possible and reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to revive texture.
Q: Will the sodium be very high?
A: Soy sauce contributes most of the salt. Use low-sodium soy sauce or reduce amount to lower sodium per serving.
Conclusion
Give this spicy garlic chicken broccoli noodle bowl a try when you want a fast, comforting meal with bold flavor and a lovely garlic aroma. The textures — tender chicken, chewy noodles, and crisp broccoli — balance well, and the recipe is easy to adapt. For a different take on spicy garlic noodles, you might also enjoy the Spicy Chili Garlic Noodles recipe, which offers a similar kick with slightly different seasonings. Enjoy cooking, and don’t be afraid to make this your own!
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Spicy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bowls
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A quick and satisfying bowl of tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and chewy rice noodles with a bold garlic and sriracha flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Slice the chicken into thin strips, wash and cut broccoli into bite-sized florets, and mince the garlic.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden, about 30–45 seconds.
- Add the sliced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Add the broccoli florets and continue to cook until they are tender-crisp, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the soy sauce and sriracha, mixing well. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until heated through. Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes
For variations, consider adding peanut butter for creaminess or using different vegetables for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 95g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
