Easy Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles – Quick Weekday Dinners for Two

Name: Easy Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles – Quick Weekday Dinners for Two
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: Chicken (about 1 lb), cut into small chunks — use breasts or thighs.; Cornstarch (a couple of tablespoons) — for a light crisp on the exterior.; Neutral oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or sunflower).; Soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) — the salty backbone.; Honey (or maple/your preferred sweetener) — gives that sticky finish.; Fresh garlic, finely minced — bright, punchy aromatics.; Fresh ginger, grated — warm, clean lift.; Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) — if you want a touch of heat.; Noodles (8 oz) — rice noodles, egg noodles, or your favorite variety.; Green onions, thinly sliced — fresh garnish.; Sesame seeds (optional) — for texture and a toasty note.

Posted on February 17, 2026

Weekday Dinners For Two close-up: glossy sticky garlic chicken noodles tossed with scallions and sesame seeds — a simple Easy Throw Together Dinners and totally Dinner Yummy plate.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Weekday Dinners For Two — Easy Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles

If you’re after Weekday Dinners For Two, these Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles hit the sweet spot: fast, sticky, garlicky, and comfortingly saucy. In under 30 minutes you get tender chicken, glossy noodles, and a sauce that clings to every bite. Perfect for a date-night-in or a simple midweek win.

Brief introduction to the recipe

This recipe grew from those nights when you want takeout vibes without the delivery wait. It’s sweet, savory, a little garlicky, and surprisingly bright thanks to fresh ginger and green onions. Toss in some quick-steamed veg if you want color and crunch. The whole thing cooks in one skillet (plus a pot for the noodles), so cleanup stays chill. Sound like your kind of dinner? Let’s make it.

Why you’ll love it

Ridiculously quick. Ready in about 25–30 minutes — ideal for busy evenings.
Family-friendly. Kids, roommates, and picky eaters tend to approve.
Customizable. Want heat? Add chili. Want veg? Toss in broccoli or bell peppers.
Budget-smart. Uses pantry staples and a little soy + honey for huge flavor — great among Cheap Filling Dinners.
Leftover-friendly. Reheats well as a Dinner Meals For One lunch the next day.
Who doesn’t want something that tastes Dinner Yummy but doesn’t steal your whole evening?

The Key Ingredients (and Why You Need Them)

Below I list the primary components (no amounts here — the recipe card has those). I’ll explain what each contributes so you can tweak with confidence.

Chicken (breast or thighs) — Lean, affordable, and quick to cook. Thighs add extra juiciness and a little more fat for flavor; breasts keep it leaner.
Garlic & fresh ginger — The aromatic backbones. Garlic gives savory depth; ginger adds a bright, warming lift.
Soy sauce (or tamari) — Salt and umami in one. Tamari is the gluten-free swap.
Honey (or other sweetener) — Balances the salt and gives the sauce that sticky, glossy finish. For low-carb swaps, use a sugar-free syrup.
Cornstarch — The magic thickener. Tossed on the chicken before searing, it helps create a crisp exterior and thickens the sauce once you add the liquids.
Noodles (egg, rice, or wheat) — The delivery vehicle. Thick egg noodles hug sauces well; rice noodles keep things gluten-free.
Sesame oil — A little goes a long way—finish with a drizzle for nutty aroma.
Green onions & sesame seeds — For freshness and crunch at the finish.
Optional heat: red chili flakes or sriracha for kick.

These basics let the sauce shine while giving you versatility: cook once, eat many ways — great for Easy Throw Together Dinners or a solo night labeled 1 Serving Meals.

How to Make It

Follow this straightforward sequence for consistent, satisfying results.

Prep

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and pat dry — moisture fights crisping.
Mince garlic and grate fresh ginger. Slice green onions for topping.
Mix soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and a splash of water in a bowl to build the sauce. Set aside.
Toss the chicken with cornstarch and a pinch of salt — this helps it crisp and gives the sauce body.

Cook the chicken

Heat neutral oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high. When hot, add the chicken in a single layer and leave it undisturbed for 2 minutes so the cornstarch can form a light crust. Flip and cook until golden and cooked through — about 5–8 minutes total depending on size. Remove chicken to a plate.

Make the sauce and finish

Lower heat slightly, add a touch more oil if needed, then pour the prepared sauce into the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer and let it thicken a minute. Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat. Add sesame oil at the end for aroma. If the sauce is too thin, mix a small cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) and whisk it in until glossy and thick.

Cook the noodles

While chicken cooks, boil noodles per package directions, drain, and reserve a splash of pasta or noodle water. Add noodles directly to the pan with the chicken and toss; the starchy noodle water helps the sauce cling and creates a unified dish.

Serve

Plate the noodles, scatter sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top, and dig in. Want heat? Drizzle sriracha or sprinkle chili flakes.

Bold tip: Coat the chicken with cornstarch — it’s the secret to both crispness and a silky sauce.

Pro tips for perfect results

Pat the chicken dry. Moist meat steams; dry meat sears.
Don’t crowd the pan. If your skillet is small, sear in batches. Overcrowding lowers pan temperature and ruins the crisp.
Use fresh garlic and ginger. Jarred versions work, but fresh elevates flavor.
Adjust sweetness and salt at the end. Honey concentration can vary; taste and tweak.
Save some noodle water. Starchy water helps bind sauce and noodles — like a quick restaurant trick.
Finish with sesame oil — it smells tiny-spectacular; add it off the heat to preserve aroma.
These small moves make a big difference — and nobody wants floppy noodles or a thin, sad sauce.

Delicious variations to try

Veg-loaded: Add broccoli, snap peas, or shredded carrots in step before returning chicken. Quick-sauté them so they stay crisp.
Spicy-sesame: Stir in chili-garlic sauce or sambal oelek for serious fire.
Peanut buttery twist: Replace half the honey with a spoon of peanut butter for a nutty glaze.
Teriyaki-style: Swap honey for brown sugar and add a splash of mirin for a sweet teriyaki note.
Low-carb version: Swap noodles for spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice — keeps it in the Easy Girl Dinner Ideas and Keto-ish territory.
Feel like experimenting? This dish loves improvisation.

Best ways to serve

For two: Serve hot from the pan with lime wedges and a simple side salad. Perfect for romantic Weekday Dinners For Two nights.
Solo meal: Plate half for dinner and refrigerate the rest for tomorrow’s Dinner Meals For One — or divide into portions for grab-and-go lunches.
Family style: Set out condiments (chili flakes, extra green onions, sesame seeds) and let everyone customize.
With takeout vibes: Serve with quick cucumber pickle slices or kimchi for a crunchy, cooling contrast — brilliant if you’re recreating Take Out Dinner Ideas at home.

Quick tips for storage and leftovers

Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Freezer: You can freeze cooked chicken and sauce, though noodles may become soft — better to freeze components separately.
Reheat without drying: Warm gently over medium-low, add a splash of oil or water, and toss — microwave will work in a pinch but the texture won’t be as good.
Meal prep friendly? Absolutely — this recipe shines as Easy Throw Together Dinners on busy post-gym evenings.

Cheap, filling, and one-pan friendly

If you’re hunting Cheap Filling Dinners, this recipe is a solid pick. Chicken is economical, noodles are cheap, and a little soy + honey goes a long way. Swap to tofu for a vegetarian cheap swap, or use shredded rotisserie chicken for super-fast assembly. For minimal-ingredient nights, this can become one of your Easy 3 Ingredient Recipes Dinners if you count noodles, chicken, and sauce (soy + honey + garlic — pantry staples).

FAQs

Can I make this for one?

Yes — scale the recipe down for 1 Serving Meals or cook full batch and keep leftovers for a Dinner Meals For One lunch.

Can I use shrimp or tofu instead?

Totally. Shrimp cooks in minutes; press and dry tofu for a crispy, vegetarian option.

Is this kid-friendly?

Very. Reduce the chili and keep the sauce balanced — it’s a great entry into savory-Asian flavors for kids.

How do I make it gluten-free?

Swap soy for tamari or coconut aminos and use rice or gluten-free noodles.

Can I prep ahead?

Marinate the chicken in the sauce and keep refrigerated until cooking time. Mix sauce and cornstarch separately if prepping fully.

Final thoughts wrap-up

These Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles belong in the rotation if you want Easy Throw Together Dinners that taste like a treat. They scale from Dinner Meals For One to family portions, and they adapt to whatever’s in your fridge. Whether you’re cooking for two on a weekday or looking for Take Out Dinner Ideas to recreate at home, this recipe delivers sticky-sweet satisfaction with minimal fuss.

So next time you ask, “What’s for dinner?” grab the garlic, honey, and noodles — this is the sort of dinner that earns repeat requests. Quick, cozy, and seriously sticky-good.

Follow me on Pinterest for daily new recipes.