Peanut Chicken Noodle Meal Prep (Print Version)
Protein-packed chicken and noodles in a rich, savory peanut sauce with fresh vegetables for satisfying make-ahead meals.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, 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 green 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 fresh lime juice
15 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
16 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 3-4 tbsp warm water
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tbsp roasted peanuts, chopped
19 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
20 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
# How to Prepare:
01 - Cook noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add to hot skillet and sauté 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to plate and reserve.
03 - In same skillet, add bell pepper, carrots, and broccoli. Stir-fry 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and brightly colored.
04 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, garlic, and ginger in mixing bowl. Gradually whisk in warm water until sauce reaches smooth, pourable consistency.
05 - Return cooked noodles, chicken, and vegetables to skillet. Pour peanut sauce over mixture. Toss thoroughly until everything is 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 - Let containers cool completely to room temperature before sealing lids. Refrigerate up to 4 days. Serve cold or reheat in microwave.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy peanut sauce clings to every noodle and vegetable so each bite tastes intentional
- It reheats beautifully without losing texture or flavor which is rare for meal prep
02 -
- The peanut sauce thickens in the fridge so thin it more than you think you need to
- Let the containers cool completely before snapping on the lids to prevent condensation from making everything soggy
03 -
- Double the sauce recipe and keep the extra in a jar for drizzling over grain bowls during the week
- Cut all your vegetables while the noodles cook to keep the total active time under thirty minutes