Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 large chicken breast, sliced thin against the grain
- 2 small zucchinis (or 1 large zucchini), halved and sliced
- 2 stalks chopped green onions (or 1 large stalk)
Sauces and Seasonings
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to your liking)
- 2 tsp black vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp sweet soy sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil or chili oil
- Generous pinch of salt
- 2 – 3 cloves garlic, chopped finely
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 oz instant ramen noodles (2 to 3 packets)
- ¾ cup water (or no salt stock)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Measure and prep all the ingredients before cooking as the process moves quickly.
- Make Stir Fry Sauce: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, cayenne pepper, garlic, black vinegar, sweet soy sauce (if using), and set aside.
- Heat Oil and Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the sliced chicken breast and a generous pinch of salt.
- Stir Fry Chicken: Stir fry the chicken on high heat for about 1 minute until it begins to cook through.
- Add Sauce and Zucchini: Pour the prepared stir fry sauce and add the sliced zucchini. Mix well to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly.
- Add Ramen Noodles: Break the ramen noodle blocks in half, push chicken and zucchini to one side of the skillet, and place the noodles directly onto the skillet surface.
- Add Water and Steam Noodles: Pour ¾ cup water over the noodles, cover the skillet with a lid, and let steam for about 2 minutes until noodles soften.
- Flip and Separate Noodles: Flip the noodles to cook the other side, then use tongs or a spatula to gently break apart softened noodles. Cook uncovered for 1 to 2 more minutes.
- Combine Noodles with Stir Fry: Mix the noodles thoroughly with the chicken and zucchini, ensuring noodles are well coated with sauce.
- Adjust Noodle Texture: Continue cooking for an additional 1 to 2 minutes if you prefer softer noodles. Otherwise, remove from heat. The dish should be relatively dry with no extra liquid.
- Add Most of the Green Onions: Reserve about ¼ of the chopped green onions. Add the rest to the stir fry and toss to combine during the last few seconds of cooking.
- Serve: Serve the ramen noodles hot, topped with the reserved green onions and drizzled with sesame or chili oil for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Sweet soy sauce is optional but adds a nice sweetness and depth to the dish.
- Use no-salt stock instead of water for extra flavor in the steaming step.
- If you prefer vegetarian, replace chicken with tofu and ensure the sauces are vegetarian-friendly.
- Using thinly sliced chicken breast helps the meat cook quickly and stay tender.
- This recipe works best with instant ramen noodles but fresh ramen or other Asian noodles can be substituted.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion