Description
This Sweet & Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles with Basil recipe combines tender ground chicken simmered in a flavorful sauce made with ginger, garlic, chili paste, and fresh basil, served over perfectly cooked ramen noodles. The dish strikes a delicious balance of sweetness, spice, and umami, topped with crunchy roasted nuts and fresh basil ribbons for a satisfying meal that comes together in about 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
- 3 tablespoons hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
- 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cup water
- 10 ounces ramen noodles (or spaghetti, fettuccine, or rice noodles)
Garnishes
- Fresh chopped basil (basil ribbons)
- Chopped roasted cashews or peanuts (honey roasted preferred)
- Extra red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, breaking it into medium-sized chunks to ensure even cooking.
- Add aromatics: Stir in freshly grated ginger, thinly sliced garlic, and coconut sugar into the browned chicken. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the mixture is fragrant.
- Build the sauce: Mix in tomato paste, chopped fresh basil, and hot chili paste. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute to develop flavors, then add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens nicely, about 30 minutes. This slow simmering allows the flavors to intensify and meld together.
- Cook the noodles: While the sauce is simmering, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your choice of noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine and serve: Add the drained noodles directly to the thickened sauce, stirring well to coat all the noodles evenly. Divide the noodles into serving bowls and garnish with basil ribbons, chopped roasted cashews or peanuts, and extra red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or pork based on preference.
- Adjust the amount of hot chili paste to control the spiciness level.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and rice noodles instead of ramen or wheat-based noodles.
- Honey roasted nuts add a subtle sweetness and crunch, but plain nuts work well too.
- Fresh basil ribbons are important for bright herbal notes, so avoid dried basil for garnish.
