You know those evenings when the day’s been just a bit too much? When the thought of cooking dinner feels like one more impossible task? This one-pan Sticky Garlic Chicken & Veggie Noodles is my kind of midweek magic—quick, flavorful, and gloriously simple.
How we came up with this recipe
Growing up, dinner wasn’t just a meal—it was an event. My mom could whip up something incredible from a near-empty pantry, and those were always the most memorable meals. This recipe is my spin on that kind of resourceful, feel-good cooking.
Inspired by a favorite I spotted over at Taming Twins, I gave it an Economical Recipes twist. Instead of steak, I used budget-friendly chicken thighs—tender, juicy, and way easier on the wallet. The sauce? Sticky, garlicky, sweet-salty goodness. Add a bunch of green veggies and some noodles, and you’ve got dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. 💚
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Budget-friendly chicken thighs
One pan = less cleanup (hallelujah!)
Big flavor, minimal effort
Ready in 25 minutes
Ingredients:
Serves 4
For the stir fry:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 500g chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, sliced into strips)
- 1 small broccoli head (cut into florets)
- 150g green beans or frozen peas
- 250g dried egg noodles
For the sauce:
- 3 tbsp dark soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (grated or jarred)
To serve:
- 3 spring onions, sliced
- Optional: sesame seeds or chili flakes for a little extra zing
How to Make It:
- Prep the Sauce: Stir together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Soften the Noodles: Place the noodles in a large bowl and pour boiling water over them. Cover and let them sit for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large nonstick frying pan or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and fry for about 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Add the Veggies: Toss in the broccoli and green beans. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until just tender.
- Mix it All Together: Drain the noodles and add them to the pan along with the sauce. Stir-fry everything together until the noodles are coated and glossy.
- Finish & Serve: Top with spring onions and sesame seeds. Dig in while it’s hot!
Tips from My Kitchen:
- Prep Ahead: Mix the sauce in the morning and chop your veggies—you’ll feel like a dinner superhero later.
- Go Green (or Not): Swap in whatever veggies you have—carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms… they all work!
- Watch the Salt: Soy sauce is salty enough, so skip any extra seasoning unless you’ve tasted first.
Storing Leftovers:
- Fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water.
- Freezer: This dish freezes decently, though the noodles may soften. Freeze in single portions for emergency meals!
Real Food for Real Life
I started Economical Recipes because I know what it’s like to stretch a budget, to stare into the fridge and wonder what on earth to cook. This recipe is one of those comforting, reliable, low-stress dinners you’ll turn to again and again.
It’s not fancy, but it’s flavorful. It’s not complicated, but it feels like something special. That’s the kind of cooking I believe in—good food made simple.
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Definitely! This recipe is super flexible. You can use tofu for a veggie version, or swap in turkey, pork, or even leftover cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
What if I don’t have oyster sauce?
No worries! You can substitute it with hoisin sauce or a little extra soy sauce and a splash of Worcestershire for that deep umami flavor.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free noodles (rice noodles work great), tamari instead of soy sauce, and make sure your oyster sauce is gluten-free (some brands are, just check the label!).
How do I keep the noodles from getting mushy?
The trick is to soak, not boil, the dried noodles in hot water just until softened—then drain and toss them in the pan. Don’t overcook them once they’re in with the sauce!
Sticky Garlic Chicken & Veggie Noodles
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These sticky garlic chicken and veggie noodles are a flavor-packed, quick-fix dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and glossy noodles are tossed in a sweet, savory, and garlicky sauce for a satisfying dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
1 tbsp vegetable oil
500g chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, sliced into strips)
1 small broccoli head (cut into florets)
150g green beans or frozen peas
250g dried egg noodles
3 tbsp dark soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
3 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tsp fresh ginger (grated or jarred)
3 spring onions, sliced
Optional: sesame seeds or chili flakes
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, and ginger to make the sauce. Set aside.
-
Place the egg noodles in a large bowl, pour boiling water over them, and cover. Let sit for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through. Drain and set aside.
-
Heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and fry for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
-
Add broccoli florets and green beans (or peas) to the pan and stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until just tender.
-
Add drained noodles and the prepared sauce. Toss everything together and stir-fry until the noodles are well coated and glossy.
-
Serve hot, topped with sliced spring onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chili flakes if desired.
Notes
Swap chicken thighs for chicken breast if preferred.
Use any quick-cook noodle variety in place of egg noodles.
Add sliced bell peppers or carrots for extra color and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Per Serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: sticky garlic chicken noodles, easy stir fry, weeknight dinner, Asian chicken noodle recipe, quick noodle stir fry