Quick and Easy Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

ByNancy Fox on
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I’m sharing one of my all-time favorite dishes. It’s an absolutely delicious dinner! I love any kind of Asian noodle dish, especially a Thai one that includes peanut butter. Good news too: Peanut butter is heart-healthy.  It’s very filling and satisfying when added to a noodle dish.  The red pepper flakes add just the right amount of spice.  Each fiber-rich serving has 290 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 7 grams fiber. It’s simple to make and simply amazing!
Skinny Thai Chicken and Peanut Noodles

Why You'll Love My Quick and Easy Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

Craving a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal? My Quick and Easy Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken is the perfect solution. This dish combines tender chicken with al dente noodles and a rich, creamy peanut sauce, all ready in minutes. It's a perfect weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch option. The vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine, the ease of preparation, and the nutritious ingredients make this dish a crowd-pleaser.

A Breakdown of Ingredients for Thai Peanut Noodles

Let's explore the key ingredients that make this dish so irresistible:
  • Whole-Grain or Whole-Wheat Spaghetti: A healthier twist on traditional pasta, offering a hearty texture and a boost of fiber. Whole-grain pasta is more nutrient-dense than refined pasta, making it a great choice for a balanced meal.
  • Reduced-Sodium Soy Sauce: This versatile ingredient adds a savory umami flavor and a touch of saltiness to the dish. Choosing a reduced-sodium version helps to control your sodium intake without sacrificing flavor.
  • Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth: This liquid gold adds depth of flavor and helps to create a creamy, luscious sauce. Opting for a reduced-sodium broth allows you to enjoy the flavor without the excess sodium.
  • Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Creamy peanut butter adds a rich, nutty flavor and a satisfying texture to the sauce. Look for natural peanut butter with no added sugars or hydrogenated oils for the best flavor and nutritional benefits.
  • Lime Juice or Vinegar: A bright, acidic touch that balances the richness of the peanut butter and adds a refreshing zing to the dish.
  • Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic powerhouses infuse the sauce with warmth and complexity. Fresh ginger, in particular, offers a unique, slightly spicy flavor that elevates the dish.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A subtle heat that can be adjusted to your preference. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more to taste.
  • Cooked Chicken Breast: A lean protein source that adds flavor and texture to the dish. Using shredded or chopped chicken makes it easy to incorporate into the noodles.
  • Red Bell Pepper: A vibrant, crunchy vegetable that adds a sweet, juicy flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
  • Green Onions: A fresh, slightly oniony flavor and a touch of green. Green onions add a subtle crunch and a bright, herbaceous note to the dish.
  • Peanuts: Optional, but a great way to add a nutty crunch and extra protein to the dish. Toasted peanuts offer a deeper, richer flavor than raw peanuts.

Crafting a Flavorful Thai Peanut Noodle Delight

Ready to elevate your weeknight dinner? This Quick and Easy Thai Peanut Noodle recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Let’s break down the simple steps to create this flavorful dish.
Preparing the Noodles:
  1. Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking your whole-grain or whole-wheat spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain the pasta thoroughly to remove excess water.
Creating the Flavorful Sauce:
  1. Combine the Ingredients: In a large skillet, combine soy sauce, chicken broth, peanut butter, lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  2. Simmer and Stir: Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the peanut butter melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  3. Add the Protein and Veggies: Stir in the cooked chicken, red bell pepper, and green onions to the sauce. Cook until the chicken is heated through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Assembling the Dish:
  1. Toss to Coat: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the peanut sauce.
  2. Plate and Serve: Divide the noodle mixture among four plates and garnish with chopped peanuts, if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Thai Peanut Noodles:
  • Customize Your Noodles: Experiment with different types of noodles, such as rice noodles or soba noodles, to create unique flavor profiles.
  • Add Your Favorite Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or carrots, to boost the nutritional value and add a colorful twist.
  • Adjust the Spice Level: Increase or decrease the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.
  • Make it a Meal: Serve your Thai peanut noodles with a side of steamed rice or a fresh green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this Thai Peanut Noodle recipe is a versatile dish that can be adapted to your specific tastes and dietary needs. So, why not give it a try and savor the delicious flavors of Thai cuisine in the comfort of your own home?

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 4 servings (~1½ cups each serving)

Healthy Benefits
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats and can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. For the healthiest choice, look for brands that have no oil or sugar added.
This dish contains 7 grams of fiber, thanks to using whole-grain noodles!

Shopping Tips
Trader Joe’s sells packages of cooked, sliced, or chopped chicken breasts that are really tasty.  If you buy a cooked chicken from the supermarket, be sure to remove the skin before chopping and adding to this dish.
Chopped or crushed ginger, in a jar, can be found in the produce section near garlic, in a jar.

Vegetarian Tips
Leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth and this dish becomes a yummy vegetarian dish.

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 6-Blue
WW SmartPoints 7-Green
SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving (about 1½ cups) not including chopped peanuts
290 calories, 8g fat, 1g sat. fat, 23mg chol, 20g protein, 38g carbs, 7g fiber, 675mg sodium, 2g sugar
FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
224 calories, 1g sat. fat, 1g sugar, 8g protein

 

Skinny Thai Chicken and Peanut Noodles

Quick and Easy Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4
Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 ounces whole-grain or whole-wheat dry spaghetti
  • ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons peanut butter, I used natural chunky
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoon ginger, from a jar, see shopping tips
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped, see shopping tips
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin bite-size pieces (1 cup)
  • 3 green onions, bias-sliced into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons peanuts, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
  • Meanwhile, in a large pan, combine soy sauce, broth, peanut butter, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper.  Cook and stir over low heat until peanut butter melts.  Add chicken, red bell pepper and green onions.  Mix well and continue to cook until chicken is heated.  Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.
  • Divide among 4 plates.  If desired, garnish with chopped peanuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 675mgFiber: 7gSugar: 2gBlue Smart Points: 6Green Smart Points: 7Plus Points: 7
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

12 Comments

  1. This is one of my favorites. I also like to make it for company. I get so many compliments and guest have no idea they are eating a “skinny” dish. I can stay on program and they enjoy a wonderful meal.

  2. What a nice comment. Thanks so much for letting me know Barb.
    Have fun skinny cooking!
    My best wishes,
    Nancy

  3. I made this tonight using PB2 and zoodles! It was a real hit here!!!!

    I made it without the chicken.

    Couldn’t be any easier!!! Thanks!
    Annette~

  5. Well, ok, what is this? I mean, the recipe looks *extremely* delicious, but in all seriousness. That makes 2 portions, not 4. How can you feed a person with 1,5 ounces of pasta, even if it includes chicken? You can individually count the spaghetti at that point. And 290 kcal is a snack, not a meal.

  6. Jessy, you can easily make this recipe to feed 2 instead of 4. Your choice.
    Enjoy!
    My best,
    Nancy

  9. Can spaghetti squash be substituted for the pasta in this recipe? If so, how do the ingredient proportions and Freestyle points change?
    Thanks,
    Drea

  10. I’ve never tried it with spaghetti squash but I bet it would be yummy. Or, you could make it with zoodles or cauliflower rice. I actually have a recipe on Skinny Kitchen using cauliflower rice. It has 3 Blue Freestyle points and making it with spaghetti squash would probably be the same.
    My best,
    Nancy

  11. Thanks very much for your prompt reply.

    Please tell me the name(s) of those recipes, so that I can find them.

    BTW, I think that you have very good recipes; I like the idea of having rich tasting meals that are low point and low calorie.

    Sincerely,
    Drea

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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