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30 minute better than takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili Oil. For those nights when you’re craving extra saucy Chinese inspired noodles, but don’t want to wait for take out. Szechuan style noodles with soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, plenty of vegetables, and thick egg noodles…with the most addicting toasted sesame chili oil spooned over top. These quick and healthy vegetable-filled Chinese noodles can be made and ready in just about 30 minutes. Not only are they healthier, these Szechuan noodles taste so much better than your average take out!
When my oldest brother, Creighton is in town, my recipes tend to shift slightly. If it was just me eating, I’d probably be sharing roasted vegetable recipes, pizza, and pasta every other day. Because in my day-to-day life, those are my favorite foods. But the reason I love cooking so much is that I love cooking for others. I’ve said it many times, but I find the greatest joy in making others happy through food.
This means when friends and family are in town, I adjust. I make recipes that I know for a fact, they will find absolutely delicious.
Case in point, these noodles. My oldest brother is in town from Cleveland for a couple of weeks and staying with my parents. I’ve been getting multiple text messages throughout the day asking what I’m making…if he should stop by the studio and grab leftovers…what’s happening for dinner…did I make food…etc.
I mean, the messages are almost constant.
Clearly Creighton loves food. Actually, I think it might just be all he thinks about.
Anyway, I’ve been on a huge Chinese food kick lately, and Creigh LOVES any kind of saucy Chinese style noodle. So I had the idea to make some homemade spicy Szechuan noodles with a bit of ground chicken, vegetables, and sesame chili oil.
Turns out that my last-minute idea ended up being delicious. Plus, I love the fact that I actually got Creighton to willingly eat vegetables. Sure there are noodles and chicken involved, but if you know Creighton, then you know this is a step in the right direction!
Current goal in life? Get Creighton to eat and enjoy a completely vegetable filled meal with ZERO meat. Big goal.
I have been seeing multiple photos of thick-cut Chinese noodles all over Instagram recently from various restaurants. They look so good, but I have the hardest time finding anything like them here where I live in Colorado. Takeout options are very, very limited, so I often resort to making my own “fakeout” takeout.
It usually turns out pretty good. But you guys? These noodles? They are beyond good, and so simple too!
To start, you’ll have to make the chili oil. And while I know they sell chili oil in the store, this homemade chili oil is better. It’s full of peanut oil, garlic, ginger, chili flakes (use Sichuan or Korean chili flakes if you can find), and sesame seeds. It’s without a doubt my favorite sauce…at least of the moment.
Once you have the oil, the noodles come together in minutes. Brown up some ground chicken, which you can definitely omit if you prefer a vegetarian dish. Then add a little of the soy sauce mixture, red onion, baby bok choy, and thick-cut egg noodles. Toss it all up with some of that chili oil, and done! Simple, but SO flavorful and delicious.
If you wanted to omit the chicken and up the vegetable count, I would add chopped mushrooms and carrots along with the red onion. That will be so good.
And that’s kind of it.
These noodles will take you 30 minutes tops to make, and they’re truly a dinner everyone will love. The best part is that you can really adjust the recipe to your dietary needs. If you like eating vegetarian, opt out of the chicken. If you’re gluten-free, use rice noodles in place of the egg noodles.
Make the recipe work for you!
Love this Better than Takeout recipe and want to give another one a try? Try these 30 Minute Better Than Takeout Thai Drunken Noodles.
If you make these Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili Oil, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili oil.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 353 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup peanut oil
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed
- 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
- 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1-2 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek)
- 1/2 pound ground chicken or pork (optional)
- 1 red onion thinly, sliced
- 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving
- 4 baby bok choy or green cabbage, chopped
Instructions
- 1. To make the chili oil. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the peanut oil, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally until the garlic is fragrant, 5 minutes. Stir in the sesame seeds, cook 30 seconds to 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and very carefully transfer the oil to a heat proof bowl or glass jar. 2. Meanwhile, cook the eggs noodles according to package directions. 3. Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, chili paste, and 1/3 cup water in a bowl. 4. Place the skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken. Season with black pepper and brown all over, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Add the red and green onions, and cook another 2-3 minutes. Slowly pour in the soy sauce mixture and add the bok choy. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce coats the chicken, about 3-5 minutes. 5. Stir in the noodles and 2 tablespoons chili oil. Remove from the heat. Serve the noodles warm, topped with additional chili oil and green onions. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on February 27, 2019
I made this last night and everyone raved about it. Thanks for such a great recipe! It will definitely go into our rotation. Because we’re vegetarians, I added carrot ribbons and left out the meat. It was delicious!
I love that! I am so glad you loved this recipe, Andrea! Thank you! xTieghan
Looks very tempting and mouthwatering, Surely, I gonna to try it on this weekend. Thanks a ton, buddy!
I hope you love this! Thank you! xTieghan
Looks great, Tieghan! Where did you find the Chinese Egg Noodles? I’m also here in CO, but our Kroger doesn’t have anything that wide in the Asian food section. I suppose I could use Pappardelle? Thanks!
Hi Nancie! I use Pappardelle. They work so well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I love all of the flavors you used in this recipe! I need to try those noodles, they look so chewy and delicious 🙂
I hope you love these, Sarah! Thank you! xTieghan
Can you specify which brand of noodles you use? Or do you have a recipe for these? Thanks!
HI! I actually just use pappardelle egg pasta. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This is so pretty!!! You are awesome at the Asian-inspired dishes. I am wondering if I can substitute a different oil for the peanut oil. Would sesame oil used in its place be too overpowering in terms of flavor? Thanks for another awesome recipe.
HI! Sesame or olive oil will both work in place of the peanut oil. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I am wondering how spicy these are if made as directed? My daughter loves Asian food but hasn’t quite developed a taste for truly spicy foods. So how would you rank these on a spicy scale?
HI! These are pretty spicy, but you can easily adjust the heat by using less chili sauce in the noodles! I would start with 1-2 teaspoons chili sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Ohhh this sounds perfect!!!! I’m making pasta this week to freeze for quick meals so this will be added to the lust of choices! Quick question…. how long will the chili oil keep refrigerated?
HI! The chili oil keeps for up to 1 month! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi Teighan, looks like you meant to write peanut oil in the recipe instead of olive oil? These look great!
Hey Lisa! Recipe is all fixed. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Oh my gosh, Yessss!!! Delicious ?. Take care.
Thank you Stacey! xTieghan
Looks like I know what I’m making this week! Just wondering if others have tried ti – I have a question on quantity – four my family of five, we usually eat 1 lb of pasta. Are these thick cut noodles different? It would be asy enough to double.Thank you as always.
HI! The thick cut noodles are no different. I would just double it! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Looks yummy! Instructions specify peanut oil but it’s not listed in the list of ingredients.
Oops, sorry about that! I forgot to add it and I will update the recipe! Thank you Sue! xTieghan
WOW, IT LOOKS GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
Thank you China! xTieghan
these look really yummy
Thank you Ruth! xTieghan
These look amazing, as always! I think your asian weeknight dishes are your best!
Thank you Rachel! xTieghan