Peanut Chicken Noodle Meal Prep (Printer-Friendly)
Tender chicken, whole wheat noodles, and fresh vegetables in a rich peanut butter sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Noodles
05 - 9 oz whole wheat noodles (spaghetti or soba)
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 2 medium carrots, julienned
08 - 2 cups broccoli florets
09 - 3 spring onions, sliced
→ Peanut Sauce
10 - 4 tbsp natural peanut butter
11 - 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
12 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp lime juice
15 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
16 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
17 - 3-4 tbsp warm water
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped
19 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
20 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly, rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, then set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, add to skillet, and sauté for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add bell pepper, carrots, and broccoli. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and brightly colored.
04 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, garlic, and ginger. Gradually add warm water while whisking until sauce reaches smooth, pourable consistency.
05 - Return cooked noodles, chicken, and vegetables to the skillet. Pour peanut sauce over mixture and toss gently until all components are evenly coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
06 - Divide mixture evenly among 4 meal prep containers. Top each portion with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.
07 - Allow containers to cool completely at room temperature before sealing. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Serve cold or reheat gently.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in minutes and keeps beautifully in the fridge
- You get satisfying protein without that heavy post-meal feeling
02 -
- The sauce thickens as it sits so add a splash more water when reheating
- Let the food cool completely before sealing your containers or youll get condensation and soggy noodles
03 -
- Double the sauce and keep the extra in a jar for quick weekday stir fries
- Cut all your vegetables while the noodles boil to save time