Quick & Tasty Chicken Ramen Stir Fry (20-Minute Meal!)

This Quick & Tasty Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! It's a flavorful and satisfying meal that comes together in about 20 minutes, featuring tender chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, ramen noodles, and a delicious savory sauce. I love how this recipe is faster than ordering takeout and uses pantry-staple ingredients. It's perfect for using up leftover veggies and customizing to your taste. Get ready for a stir fry that's both easy and incredibly delicious!

Why You'll Love This Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

• Super Quick: Ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
• Flavorful Sauce: The simple combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar creates a classic savory stir-fry flavor.
• Customizable: Easily swap vegetables or protein based on what you have on hand.
• Better Than Takeout: Enjoy a fresh, homemade stir fry that's healthier and tastier than restaurant versions.
• Uses Instant Ramen: A clever way to use affordable instant ramen noodles (just discard the seasoning packets!).

Ingredients for Quick & Tasty Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

Here's what you'll need to make this speedy stir fry. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Ramen noodles (seasoning packets discarded) (Noodles)
• Boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (Meat)
• Vegetable oil (Oil)
• Red bell pepper, sliced (Vegetable)
• Snap peas (Vegetable)
• Carrot, julienned (Vegetable)
• Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
• Ginger, minced (Aromatic)
• Green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated) (Vegetable)

Sauce

• Soy sauce (Condiment)
• Oyster sauce (Condiment)
• Sesame oil (Flavoring)
• Sugar (Sweetener)
• White pepper (Spice)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Chicken Ramen Stir Fry as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Protein: Use chicken breast, beef strips, shrimp, pork, or tofu instead of chicken thighs.
• Add More Vegetables: Toss in some broccoli florets, mushrooms, bok choy, water chestnuts, or baby corn.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of sriracha, or some chili garlic sauce to the sauce.
• Add Peanut Butter: Stir a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter into the sauce for a Thai-inspired twist.
• Add Eggs: Scramble an egg in the wok before adding the noodles.

How to Make Quick & Tasty Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

Let me show you how easy it is to make this Quick & Tasty Chicken Ramen Stir Fry:

Prepare Noodles and Sauce

1. I bring a pot of water to boil for the ramen noodles.
2. While the water is heating, I prepare the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper in a small bowl. I set it aside.

Cook Chicken

1. I heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.
2. I add the chicken pieces and stir-fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
3. I remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Stir-Fry Vegetables

1. In the same pan, I add the remaining tablespoon of oil.
2. I stir-fry the sliced red bell pepper, snap peas, and julienned carrot for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.
3. I add the minced garlic, minced ginger, and the white parts of the green onions. I stir-fry for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Cook Ramen Noodles

1. Meanwhile, I cook the ramen noodles in the boiling water for 2 minutes (slightly undercooked).
2. I drain them well.

Combine and Finish

1. I add the cooked chicken back to the pan with the vegetables.
2. I toss in the cooked ramen noodles and the prepared sauce.
3. I stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until well combined and heated through.

Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish and serve

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Stir Fry

Here are my secrets for making this stir fry truly exceptional:

• Prep Ingredients First: Stir-fries cook very quickly, so have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking.
• High Heat: Use high heat for stir-frying to cook the ingredients quickly and keep the vegetables crisp-tender.
• Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary to ensure they cook properly and don't steam.
• Undercook the Noodles Slightly: Cooking the ramen for only 2 minutes ensures they don't get mushy when tossed with the sauce.
• Use Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs stay more tender and flavorful in stir-fries compared to breasts.

How to Serve

This Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:

• Garnish: Sprinkle with the green parts of the sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
• Extra Sauce: Have extra soy sauce or sesame oil on the side for drizzling.
• Chili Oil: Add a drizzle of chili oil for extra heat and flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

While best enjoyed fresh, leftover stir fry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave. Note that the noodles may absorb more sauce upon reheating.

FAQs about Quick & Tasty Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

• Can I use fresh ramen noodles?
  • Yes, fresh ramen noodles work great! Adjust the cooking time according to the package directions.
• Can I make this without the oyster sauce?
  • Oyster sauce adds a specific savory depth. You can substitute with hoisin sauce or a bit more soy sauce, but the flavor will change slightly.
• Can I make this gluten-free?
  • Yes, use gluten-free ramen noodles (like rice ramen), tamari instead of soy sauce, and ensure your oyster sauce is gluten-free.

Enjoy this incredibly quick, flavorful, and satisfying Chicken Ramen Stir Fry! It's a perfect solution for busy weeknights.

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