Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken is the ultimate comfort food mashup: tender, juicy chicken glazed with glossy homemade teriyaki sauce nestled on a bed of buttery, umami-packed noodles. Imagine the aroma of sizzling garlic and sweet-soy caramelized chicken wafting through your kitchen — this recipe brings together a joyful blend of East-meets-West flavors that will have your family asking for seconds. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but just special enough to impress friends at a casual dinner party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dish is all about bold flavors built with a handful of simple, honest ingredients. Each element plays a starring role — from the sweet and salty teriyaki marinade to the silky, garlicky noodles — delivering a bowl brimming with color, texture, and savory goodness.
- Chicken (1 pound boneless, skinless thighs or breasts): Opt for thighs for extra juiciness or stick to breasts for lean cuts — both soak up the teriyaki glaze beautifully.
- Low-sodium soy sauce (1/4 cup): This is the foundation of both the marinade and the noodle sauce, providing deep savory flavor without too much saltiness.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): Brings a subtle sweetness that balances out the umami and acidity.
- Rice vinegar (2 tablespoons): Adds a lively tang that keeps the marinade bright and fresh.
- Brown sugar (2 tablespoons total, divided): Lends rich, caramel notes that help the chicken and noodles brown and glaze.
- Sesame oil (1.5 teaspoons total, divided): Infuses warmth and nuttiness throughout the dish — a little goes a long way.
- Garlic (6 cloves, minced, divided): The undisputed star, garlic gives the noodles their stolen-the-show fragrance and big flavor.
- Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, grated): Just a touch enlivens the teriyaki sauce and brightens the whole dish.
- Cornstarch (1/2 teaspoon, mixed with 1 tablespoon water): Thickens the teriyaki sauce into a glossy, clingy glaze.
- Spaghetti or ramen noodles (8 ounces): Use your favorite — both deliver that nostalgic noodle slurp.
- Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons): Tossed with garlic to create a rich, silky base for the noodles.
- Oyster sauce (1 tablespoon): Deepens the umami and gives the noodles a lovely sheen and savoriness.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds: For garnish, they add crunch and a pop of color — don’t skip them!
How to Make Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Let’s kick things off by whisking together all the marinade essentials: soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Once you’ve got that deliciously aromatic mix, pour it over your chicken in a bag or shallow dish. Let the chicken soak up all the flavors for at least 30 minutes (or even better, go up to 4 hours if you have the patience). This step guarantees the juiciest, tastiest bites in every forkful of Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken and Glaze
When your chicken has marinated to perfection, you’re ready to choose your adventure: roast it in a sizzling-hot oven or sear it in a skillet for a touch of smoky caramelization. Remove from marinade, cook until golden and cooked through. Meanwhile, simmer the leftover marinade — that’s liquid gold! Whisk in your cornstarch slurry until the sauce thickens to a gorgeous, glossy glaze. Brush it all over the chicken before slicing into tender, bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Noodles
While the chicken finishes up, it’s time to bring the noodles to life. Boil up spaghetti or ramen until just al dente, then drain well. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté your minced garlic briefly — just until it’s fragrant and makes the kitchen smell irresistible. Stir in the oyster sauce, a splash of soy, brown sugar, and sesame oil for an effortless noodle sauce. Toss in the cooked noodles and swirl everything together until the sauce clings to every strand.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
The final step is pure joy: nestle your golden garlic noodles into bowls, arrange the sticky-sweet teriyaki chicken on top, and go crazy with those garnishes. Scatter sliced green onions and sesame seeds with abandon. The combination makes Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken truly irresistible, both to the eyes and the taste buds.
How to Serve Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of a great finishing touch! For Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken, shower each bowl with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for crunch and color. If you like a little spice, add a few red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha right before serving to wake everything up.
Side Dishes
Round out your meal with some crisp, refreshing sides — lightly steamed bok choy, sautéed snap peas, or a simple cucumber salad all work beautifully to balance the rich noodles and savory chicken. A miso soup or pickled veggies can bring extra variety to your Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken dinner spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving company? You can spiral the noodles into high twirls for restaurant-worthy presentation, or go family-style on a big platter topped with sliced chicken and heaps of vibrant garnishes. For an even more playful twist, serve the chicken skewered over the noodles, or tuck everything into lettuce cups for a crunchy, make-your-own bowl experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken make fantastic leftovers. Cool everything completely, then store the chicken and noodles separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll be at their best for up to 3 days, ready for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Freezing
If you want to freeze for later, keep the chicken and noodles apart. Freeze the sliced teriyaki chicken in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months, and the cooked noodles on their own for about 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating — the texture will be best if you reheat gently.
Reheating
To restore that fresh-cooked magic, warm the chicken and noodles separately on the stovetop with a splash of water or extra sauce to keep everything moist. Microwave works too — just cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. A quick toss in a hot pan revives the garlic and glaze flavors beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Both chicken thighs and breasts work wonderfully for Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken. Thighs yield extra-juicy results, while breasts are leaner and still absorb plenty of marinade flavor.
Is this recipe spicy?
The dish as written is mild and kid-friendly, but you can easily make it spicy. Add some sriracha to the garlic noodle sauce or sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes before serving for a satisfying kick.
What can I substitute for oyster sauce?
If oyster sauce isn’t your thing or you need a vegetarian substitute, hoisin sauce or vegetarian “oyster” sauce made from mushrooms work beautifully. The sauce brings sweet, salty, and deeply savory notes to the noodles.
Can I use a different type Main Course
Yes! While spaghetti or ramen are classic choices, you can use linguine, soba, or even rice noodles for a gluten-free option. Just adjust the cooking time so your noodles stay tender but not mushy.
How do I make Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken gluten-free?
Simply use gluten-free tamari in place of soy sauce, swap in gluten-free noodles, and check your oyster sauce label for a certified gluten-free version. Enjoy all the flavors without any worry!
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken — it’s quick, it’s full of bold flavor, and it never fails to satisfy. Give this recipe a go, share it with your loved ones, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new weeknight go-to!
Print
Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Baking or Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with these flavorful Garlic Noodles with Teriyaki Chicken. Tender chicken marinated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce served alongside buttery garlic noodles, creating a perfect harmony of Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
For the teriyaki chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
For the garlic noodles:
- 8 ounces spaghetti or ramen noodles
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes or grill/sear in a skillet until fully cooked. Simmer remaining marinade with cornstarch slurry, then brush over cooked chicken.
- Prepare the noodles: Cook and drain noodles. Sauté garlic in butter, then add oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Toss noodles in the sauce.
- Serve: Top garlic noodles with sliced teriyaki chicken. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- For added spice, include sriracha or red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce.
- Shrimp or tofu can be used instead of chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
