Chilled Sesame Chicken Noodles
Savor the delightful blend of flavors in these Chilled Sesame Chicken Noodles, a perfect balance of creamy, nutty, and tangy that will leave your taste buds dancing! This easy-to-follow recipe, adapted from America's Test Kitchen, transforms simple ingredients into a refreshing dish that's great for any meal. Perfect for warm days or as a make-ahead option, the chicken can be prepared a day in advance. Served cold, with crunchy veggies and a rich peanut sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Whether for a picnic, potluck, or an ordinary night at home, everyone will be asking for seconds!
8
Servings
400
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup (Lightly toasted)
Creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup (Jif recommended)
Garlic cloves
2 medium (Minced)
Fresh ginger
1 tbsp (Grated or minced)
Soy sauce
5 tablespoons (N/A)
Rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Hot sauce
1 teaspoon (Like Tabasco)
Light brown sugar
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Hot water
as needed (To adjust sauce consistency)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 lbs (Cooked and shredded)
Salt
2 tablespoons, divided (N/A)
Fresh Chinese noodles or spaghetti
1 lb (Fresh or dried, as preferred)
Sesame oil
2 tablespoons (N/A)
Scallions or green onions
4 (Sliced thin on diagonal)
Carrot
1 medium (Peeled and grated)
Cucumber
1/2 (Sliced and chopped into matchsticks)
Crushed red pepper flakes
as desired (Optional for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the chicken. Bring a large pot of water (4 quarts) to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Once boiling, carefully add the boneless chicken breasts and cook for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked.
2
After cooking, drain the water and let the chicken cool on a cutting board or in a bowl. Once cool, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks and set aside.
3
Next, if you're using raw sesame seeds, toast them in a medium skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until they're golden and fragrant. Reserve 1 tablespoon of toasted seeds for garnish.
4
In a blender or small food processor, combine the toasted sesame seeds (excluding the reserved tablespoon), peanut butter, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hot sauce, and brown sugar. Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth.
5
With the blender running, slowly add hot water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a consistency similar to heavy cream (about 5 tablespoons should do). Taste and adjust seasoning, adding crushed red pepper flakes at this point if desired.
6
In a separate large pot, bring 5 quarts of water and another tablespoon of salt to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil, you can proceed with shredding the cooked chicken.
7
Once the water is boiling, add the fresh Chinese noodles or spaghetti. Cook according to package instructions (about 4 minutes for fresh noodles or about 10 minutes for dried).
8
After the noodles are done, drain them and rinse under cold running water until cool to the touch. Drain again thoroughly.
9
In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled noodles with sesame oil to coat evenly. Add the shredded chicken, sliced scallions, grated carrot (if using), and prepared sauce, mixing gently to combine all ingredients.
10
Serve the dish cold, garnished with the reserved toasted sesame seeds and chopped cucumber, if desired.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
36g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chilled Sesame Chicken Noodles?
Chilled Sesame Chicken Noodles are a refreshing dish consisting of noodles, shredded chicken, and a creamy peanut sauce, served cold with crunchy vegetables.
Can I prepare the chicken in advance?
Yes, the chicken for this recipe can be prepared a day in advance, making it an excellent make-ahead option.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The boneless chicken breasts should be boiled for approximately 20-25 minutes or until they are fully cooked.
What is the best way to shred the chicken?
Once the cooked chicken has cooled, you should shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
What types of noodles are suitable for this recipe?
You can use either fresh Chinese noodles or standard spaghetti for this dish.
How do I toast the sesame seeds?
Toast the sesame seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until they are golden and fragrant.
What ingredients are needed for the sesame peanut sauce?
The sauce includes toasted sesame seeds, creamy peanut butter, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hot sauce, and brown sugar.
How do I reach the correct sauce consistency?
While the blender is running, slowly add hot water one tablespoon at a time (about 5 tablespoons total) until the sauce resembles heavy cream.
How can I make this dish spicy?
You can adjust the heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce to suit your taste preference.
Why should I rinse the noodles after boiling?
Rinsing the noodles under cold running water stops the cooking process and cools them down for chilled serving.
What is the purpose of tossing the noodles in sesame oil?
Tossing the cooled noodles in sesame oil ensures they are coated evenly and prevents them from sticking together.
How long do fresh Chinese noodles take to cook?
Fresh Chinese noodles typically take about 4 minutes to cook in boiling water.
How long should dried spaghetti be boiled?
If using dried spaghetti, it usually takes about 10 minutes to reach the desired consistency.
Is this dish served warm or cold?
This dish is specifically designed to be served cold, making it perfect for picnics or warm weather.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for sliced scallions, grated carrot, and chopped cucumber matchsticks for added crunch.
How many servings does this recipe produce?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
How much fat is in each serving?
There are 20 grams of fat per serving in this noodle dish.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving provides about 36 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does one serving contain?
There are 15 grams of protein in every serving of these noodles.
What equipment is needed to make the sauce?
A blender or a small food processor is recommended to combine the sauce ingredients until smooth.
Is there a specific brand of peanut butter recommended?
The recipe specifically recommends using Jif creamy peanut butter for the best flavor and texture.
How much salt should be added to the boiling water?
Use 1 tablespoon of salt for the chicken boiling water and another tablespoon for the noodle boiling water.
Does the recipe require fresh or ground ginger?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, which should be grated or minced.
What type of vinegar is used in the dressing?
Rice vinegar is used to provide the necessary tanginess to the sesame peanut sauce.
What kind of hot sauce is suggested?
A hot sauce like Tabasco is suggested for adding a bit of heat to the sauce.
Should I save any sesame seeds for later?
Yes, you should reserve 1 tablespoon of the toasted sesame seeds to use as a garnish at the end.
How should the scallions be prepared?
The scallions (or green onions) should be sliced thin on a diagonal.
What is the source of this recipe?
This recipe is an adaptation from America's Test Kitchen.
Is this a good meal for a potluck?
Yes, because it is served cold and can be made ahead of time, it is an ideal dish for potlucks and family gatherings.