Introduction

Just like ground beef, there’s always a point where you’re trying to figure out what to do with that chicken in the fridge, and this Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to use it. It’s just as tasty as a Chicken Lo Mein but is quicker to make with ingredients that you probably already have. I’ve made a lot of noodle dishes on this website, but this Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is one of my favorites because of how simple it is while still being very tasty.

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The Crucial Steps In This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe

This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is designed to build flavor as quickly as possible, and there are a few key steps that end up making a big difference. The first and most important step is to marinate the chicken briefly in Shaoxing wine, salt, and cornstarch which helps give the chicken that soft, almost velvety texture you usually get from Chinese restaurants. Additionally, cooking the garlic and scallion whites first before adding anything else helps infuse the oil with that aromatic flavor that carries through the entire dish. Once the chicken and noodles are added back in, everything absorbs that flavor, which is what makes the final dish taste so delicious!

Why The Sauce Is So Important For This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe

The sauce is what brings this Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe to the next level. The combination of dark and light soy sauce gives the dish its main saltiness and color while the oyster sauce adds that extra umami flavor. The sesame oil gives the dish another layer of aromatic flavor, and the sugar balances the saltiness from the soy sauces and gets rid of those sometimes sharp and acidic flavor notes. After the noodles are added, the starches from the noodles thicken the sauce and coats everything, which ensures that every bite has the same flavor. It’s a simple sauce, but it is so good!

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Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe Ingredients

Chicken + marinade (Shaoxing wine, salt, cornstarch) – The chicken is the main protein, and the marinade helps tenderize it while improving texture and allowing it to sear properly.

Udon noodles – The base of the dish. They’re thick, chewy, and perfect for holding onto the sauce without breaking apart.

Garlic + scallions – The core aromatics. Garlic brings a strong savory flavor, while scallions add both depth and freshness depending on when they’re added.

Sauce (dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar) – A balanced blend that seasons the noodles, adds depth, and lightly coats everything with a savory, slightly sweet finish.

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How to Make Garlic Chicken Noodles

Place the sliced chicken in a bowl and marinate with Shaoxing wine, salt, and cornstarch for about 15 minutes.

Mince the garlic and cut the scallions into ½-inch pieces, separating the whites and greens.

In a small bowl, mix together dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the udon noodles until just before al dente, then drain and set aside.

Heat a pan over medium-high heat with oil and sear the chicken until mostly browned, then remove and set aside.

In the same pan, cook the garlic and scallion whites until fragrant.

Add the noodles, chicken, and sauce back into the pan and toss everything together.

Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the noodles evenly before finishing with scallion greens.

Serve in a bowl and enjoy!

What to Serve with Garlic Chicken Noodles

This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is delicious on its own, but adding something fresh on the side helps balance out the richness of the dish. A couple of my favorite dishes to serve this with are:

• Cucumber salad. I love tossing together some thinly sliced cucumbers with rice vinegar and a little pinch of both sugar and salt, which brings bright flavors to the overall meal.
• Frozen dumplings. A classic side dish to serve with noodles. My favorite way to serve them is to pan fry them before placing water halfway up the dumplings and covering to steam. You’ll know they are done when the water is evaporated.

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How to Store Garlic Chicken Noodles

This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is really easy to store and is also a great option for meal prep. I usually keep it an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. In order to reheat it, I like to use a pan because it preserves the texture the best, but this way can sometimes be inconvenient. The microwave is a great option in this case. I like to microwave my noodles for 2 minutes on high heat.

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Garlic Chicken Noodles Substitutions

This Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe is very flexible, and you can substitute some ingredients depending on what you have available. A few of my favorite substitutions are:

• Chicken thighs. These stay juicier during cooking and are a little more forgiving if you overcook them.
• Different noodles. If you don’t have udon, you can use spaghetti, instant ramen, or even rice noodles. Each substitution has a different texture but still soaks up all the delicious flavor.
• Shrimp. A great protein substitution that cooks quickly and pairs really well with the sauce, which is loaded with garlic.
• Vegetables. You can easily add bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas to add additional texture and micronutrients.

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What to Make Next

Craving something with rice instead? You’ll love my Garlic Chicken Fried Rice!

Want another quick dinner? Try my Korean Ground Beef!

Feeling like beef instead? Cook my Kung Pao Beef!