Sweet & Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles with Basil Recipe
This Sweet & Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles recipe combines tender ground chicken simmered in a flavorful spicy sauce with fragrant fresh basil, garlic, and ginger. Cooked ramen noodles soak up the bold sauce, making a comforting, balanced meal with a perfect kick of heat and sweetness, topped with crunchy roasted nuts and fresh herbs for texture and vibrant flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Protein and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Sauce Components
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
- 3 tablespoons hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
- 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cups water
Pasta
- 10 ounces ramen noodles (spaghetti, fettuccine, or rice noodles can also be used)
For Serving
- Fresh chopped basil (preferably basil ribbons)
- Chopped roasted cashews or peanuts (honey roasted recommended)
- Extra red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Brown Chicken: Add sesame oil to a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, seasoning generously with salt and pepper. Brown the meat for about 5 minutes, breaking it into medium-sized chunks, until golden underneath.
- Add Aromatics and Sugar: Stir in grated ginger, sliced garlic, and coconut sugar. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, breaking the chicken into smaller chunks until it’s almost fully cooked.
- Incorporate Sauce Ingredients: Mix in tomato paste, fresh chopped basil, and hot chili paste, cooking together for 30 seconds to 1 minute to develop flavor.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens—about 30 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked noodles back to the pot with the meat sauce. Stir well to coat the noodles thoroughly with the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Divide the noodles into bowls and garnish with fresh basil ribbons, chopped roasted cashews or peanuts, and extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Substitute protein with ground turkey or tofu for variation.
- Adjust the amount of hot chili paste to control the spice level.
- Fresh basil adds brightness; do not omit for best flavor.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- Honey roasted nuts add a nice sweet crunch but can be replaced with plain nuts if preferred.
