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Fresh Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles with Shredded Chicken

Fresh Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles - featured image

A quick and easy cold noodle dish featuring a creamy peanut sauce and tender shredded chicken, perfect for refreshing summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz dry spaghetti or Chinese egg noodles
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 medium cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Optional: shredded carrots or chopped cilantro for extra freshness
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 12 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or Sriracha (optional)
  • ½ cup warm water
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of spaghetti or egg noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 7-9 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
  2. If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, poach 2 chicken breasts in simmering water for about 15 minutes until cooked through. Let cool slightly, then shred with two forks or your fingers. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon honey, minced garlic, and chili sauce if using. Whisk together while slowly adding ½ cup warm water until the sauce reaches a creamy but pourable consistency. Adjust water or peanut butter as needed.
  4. Pour the peanut sauce over the cooled noodles. Add shredded chicken, julienned cucumber, and sliced green onions. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat all noodles and ingredients evenly. Taste and add extra soy sauce or chili if desired.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and keep the dish refreshing. Before serving, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and any optional fresh herbs like cilantro or extra crunchy veggies.

Notes

Rinsing noodles under cold water is key to prevent clumping. Adjust sauce thickness with warm water or peanut butter. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Use tamari and rice noodles for gluten-free version. For vegan, skip chicken and add tofu or extra veggies.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold noodles, peanut sauce, shredded chicken, summer recipe, easy dinner, sesame peanut noodles, quick meal