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Easy Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles – Quick Weekday Dinners for Two

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.
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A single-pan comfort meal of bite-size chicken pieces glazed in a sweet-savory garlic sauce and tossed with tender noodles. Ready in about 30 minutes and perfect when you want something fast, cozy, and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 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).

For the glaze

  • 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.

For the noodles & finish

  • 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.

Instructions

  1. Mix the sauce. Whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Set aside.

  2. Coat the chicken. Toss the chicken chunks with cornstarch until evenly dusted — this helps create a glossy, clingy glaze later.

  3. Brown the chicken. Heat a thin layer of oil in a wide skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden and the chicken is cooked through (about 6–8 minutes depending on size). Transfer the chicken to a plate.

  4. Thicken the sauce. Pour the prepared sauce into the hot pan and bring it to a gentle bubble. Let it reduce for a couple of minutes until it starts to thicken and darken slightly.

  5. Cook the noodles. While the sauce reduces, prepare the noodles according to package directions. Drain and reserve a small splash of the noodle water.

  6. Combine. Return the chicken to the pan, toss to coat in the glaze, then add the drained noodles. Toss everything together over medium heat so the sauce evenly coats the noodles; use a splash of reserved noodle water if you need to loosen the sauce.

  7. Finish and serve. Divide onto plates, scatter sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Make-ahead & storage notes
    • You can mix the sauce and toss the chicken with cornstarch up to a day ahead; keep chilled until ready to cook.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore sauciness.
  • Flavor tweaks & swaps
    • Swap honey for brown sugar or a sugar-free syrup to change sweetness level.
    • Use tofu or shrimp in place of chicken for a vegetarian or seafood variant.
    • Add quick-cooking vegetables (thinly sliced bell pepper, snap peas, or shredded carrot) when you return the chicken to the pan for more color and crunch.
    • For more depth, finish with a small drizzle of toasted sesame oil or a squeeze of lime.
  • Pro tips
    • Dry the chicken well before coating — less surface moisture = better browning.
    • Don’t overcrowd the pan; brown in batches if necessary so pieces crisp rather than steam.
    • Adjust sweetness and salt at the end — soy sauce and honey strengths vary; taste and tweak.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://irmacooks.com/sticky-garlic-chicken-noodle-weekday-dinners-for-two/