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About This Recipe
If you’re craving Chinese takeout, try this healthy Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Broccoli instead! Seriously, you can have this meal on the table before takeout would even begin to arrive and the best part is it’s cheaper, healthier and guaranteed to be hot and fresh!
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s a loaded with lean protein and healthy veggies. It’s an easy way to get the whole family to eat their broccoli! Top your bowl with a little extra soy sauce and some yum yum sauce for the perfect meal any night of the week!
This is an awesome recipe to customize. Want more protein? Add more chicken, or use protein packed noodles. Want more fiber? Use whole grain pasta and pile on all the veggies!
For more healthy asian-inspired recipes ready in less than 30 minutes check out my favorite salmon sushi bowls, one-skillet steak and broccoli and healthy chicken lettuce wraps!
If you’re feeling a little fancy, these Vietnamese summer rice paper rolls are a fun date night and kid friendly activity!
Why You’ll Love These Chicken & Broccoli Sesame Noodles
- So much GREAT flavor in this easy weeknight dish!
- Skip the takeout and enjoy this great meal in just 30 minutes!
- A tasty and healthier alternative to your favorite Chinese takeout.
- Made with simple and easy to find ingredients! No need for an extra trip to the speciality asian grocery store!
- High in protein! 32 grams of protein per serving.
- Pasta – I used linguine pasta but you can also use rice or soba noodles.
- Broccoli – frozen or fresh works
- Oil – I used both olive oil and sesame oil.
- Chicken – I used chicken breasts but this recipe is versatile! You can use chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins or even go with ground beef, ground turkey or shrimp.
- Garlic and ginger – I like the frozen crushed garlic and crushed ginger for convenience. These frozen cubes or fresh bring about the most flavor but powder works too in a pinch.
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions – for garnishing
- Low sodium soy sauce – can replace with coconut aminos
- Honey
- Rice vinegar
- Sriracha – or a few shakes cayenne pepper (can omit)
- To make gluten-free: use gluten-free pasta and use coconut aminos instead of the soy sauce.
- Change up your protein! Sub the chicken breasts for shrimp, steak, ground beef or ground turkey.
- Make it meatless! By omitting the chicken and using tofu.
- Use different noodles! You can use rice noodles, soba noodles, whole wheat pasta, chickpea noodles, etc.
- More veggies! Add your favorite veggies like spinach, red bell peppers, snow peas, bok choy, mushrooms, carrots, etc.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add water to a large pot with a tablespoon of salt. Set to a high heat. Once boiling, add pasta and cook for 6-7 minutes.
2. Then add the broccoli with the noodles and cook for another 3 minutes. Drain and set noodles and broccoli aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sriracha.
4. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, garlic, ginger and a few shakes of salt and pepper.
5. Cook, tossing frequently, for 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Then remove from heat.
6. Stir the sauce mixture again to make sure everything is mixed. Then add the pasta, broccoli and sauce to the skillet with the chicken. Stir until all the pasta is coated and everything is evenly incorporated. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top and serve.
al dente pasta!
Pasta is easy to overcook so careful not to overcook the pasta or it will become mushy (especially when reheating). For best results, read the package instructions and remove from heat one minute before recommend. Once done, you can also place hot noodles under cold running water when you drain pasta to stop from overcooking.
Add a splash of water before reheating in the microwave or in a skillet to help break the noodles apart.
What type of noodles should I used for this recipe?
I used linguine pasta noodles to keep this recipe simple but you can use any type of pasta you prefer. Try using brown rice noodles or udon noodles for a traditional taste. You can also swap the linguine for your favorite whole wheat spaghetti, gluten-free option or chickpea pasta.
Does this chicken and broccoli sesame noodles recipe reheat well?
Yes! I love eating leftovers of this sesame noodles recipe. Just store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover and reheat for 1-2 minutes (or until heated through). You can also enjoy these leftovers straight from the fridge if you enjoy cold sesame noodles.
Can I use a different protein besides chicken breasts?
You can easily customize the choice of protein for this recipe. Swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs, steak or shrimp. You can also use tofu to make this noodle dish vegetarian or omit the meat altogether to make a great vegan option or side dish.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Healthy Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients
- 10 oz. linguine pasta uncooked
- 4 cups frozen broccoli (340g)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
- 1.5 lb chicken cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp ginger crushed, freshly minced or ginger paste works best but powder works in a pinch
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- Green onions for garnishing
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (60g) or coconut aminos
- 3 Tbsp honey (63g)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil (28g)
- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar (45g)
- 2 tsp sriracha (12g) or a few shakes cayenne pepper (can omit)
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Instructions
- Add water to a large pot with a tablespoon of salt. Set to a high heat. Once boiling, add pasta and cook for 6-7 minutes. Then add the broccoli with the noodles and cook for another 3 minutes. Drain and set noodles and broccoli aside.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sriracha.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, garlic, ginger and a few shakes of salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, for 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Then remove from heat.
- Stir the sauce mixture again to make sure everything is mixed. Then add the pasta, broccoli and sauce to the skillet with the chicken. Stir until all the pasta is coated and everything is evenly incorporated. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
