Friday, January 31, 2014

Sesame Noodles with Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Take-Out!  God Bless It, ya know!  I mean, what would we do without it?  The thing is, one, it costs so much. And two, we have no idea what is in it!  No, no, no...I'm not saying you're eating cat or dog.  I'm simply stating that we don't know things like how much salt is in this exactly? 
 
However, take-out can totally be a stay-in thing that can be fun for the whole family!  Here is a great dish that everyone is sure to love!  So grab some chopsticks, some take-out boxes and a couple fortune cookies on your way home from work and make a movie night out of it with the family tonight!!
 
 
 
 
Sesame Noodles with Sweet and Spicy Chicken
*Prep Time:  15 min.  *Cook Time:  30-40 min  *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings: 4-6
 
 

Here Is What You Will Need for the Noodles:

  • 1 lb. of Noodles, Cooked and Drained
  • 1/4 c. Soy Sauce
  • 2 tbsp. Brown Sugar
  • 4 cloves of Garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. Ginger, Minced (or Ground)
  • 2 tbsp. Rice Vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. Sesame Oil
  • 1/2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce
  • 4 tbsp. Canola Oil
  • 4 whole Green Onions, sliced thin
Tools You Will Need:

Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Cutting Board
Knife
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons





Here is What You Will Need for the Chicken:

  • 1-2 lb. Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Thighs
  • 3 tbsp. Canola Oil
  • 3 tbsp. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp. Sesame Oil
  • 5 tbsp. Honey
  • 1tbsp. Sriracha Sauce (if you want it less spicy omit or use a tsp.)
  • 4 cloves of Garlic, Minced
  • 1/2 tsp. Ginger, Minced (or Ground)
  • Black Pepper
Tools You Will Need:

Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Small Baking dish
Foil



First Up...The Chicken
 

Add everything in a small bowl and whisk together.  Be sure to taste and make any adjustments to suit your palette.
 
 
 
While all those flavors marry together, we are going to tend to our chicken.  Now I didn't have boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Yep, that's right, bone in, skin on.  OH NO!  What to do!?!  No sweat!  Let me show you how to easily remedy this problem.
 
First, trim away and excess skin with your pairing knife.  Then, work your fingers under the skin.  Break it free, and pull it off.  EASY PEASEY!
 
Now to deal with that pesky bone!  Simply turn your chicken thigh over, and find the bone.  Use your pairing knife to cut along the sides.  Then, carefully cut the underneath part away.  You should be able to easily pull the bone off the chicken now.  Look at you!!  You could be your own butcher!  Yeah, I know...me either, but hey!  This is a great start! 
 
NOW, we finally have those boneless, skinless thighs we needed.  :)
 
Now for your baking dish.  Here I have a square, 8x8 dish.  You don't want anything too large so the smallest dish you have will be best.  This ensures your sauce will coat evenly over your chicken and keep it from burning.
 
Next you want to line it with TWO layers of foil.  Yes, TWO!!  Trust me, you do not want to skip this step.  It will make clean up soooo much easier! 
 
After that, place your chicken in the dish, pour your glaze over it, and using your tongs (or fingers), make sure your chicken is thoroughly covered with the sauce!
 
Then it goes in a 425 degree, pre-heated oven, uncovered, for 40 minutes!  What I like to do is at the 20 minute mark, take it out and turn the pieces a few time to keep them nice and saucy!  When it gets to be around 30 minutes, keep an eye on things.  There is quite a bit of sugar in this, and your don't want it to burn.  If that begins to happen, take it out.  Your chicken will be done by the.  :)  Feel free to check it with a meat thermometer though. 
 
This is your final result!  Aren't they beautiful?  *sigh* Sticky perfection!
 
Notes on the Chicken:
 
If you are watching your weight, you can use boneless, skinless breast meat.  You will simply need to cut the cooking time back by 10 minutes.  Also, keep in mind that the chicken may be a little dryer.  :) 
 
 
Now for the noodles...
 
First things first, you will bring a pot of water to a boil.  Remember to add a tbsp. of salt to your water.  This is the only time you will have to actually season your pasta. Take every opportunity to create flavor in your cooking!  Once the water is at a rolling boil, add your pasta. 
Here I am using simple spaghetti noodles, but you can use the fancy Asian kind, if you like. 
9 minutes and your pasta is finished.  (*always make sure to follow the cooking instructions on the box of your pasta.)
 
While your pasta is cooking, you will assemble your sauce.  Put everything in a bowl, except the green onions, and whisk.  Then you can slice your green onions and set them to the side.  I like to cut mine on the bias...to make it pretty. 
 
When the pasta is finished cooking, drain, and return to pot. 
(Sorry for the horrible pictures.  My camera died and I had to switch to my phone. :-/)
 
Pour in your sauce...
 
Add green onions, but be sure to save some for garnish later...
 
Stir...
 
 
And VIOLA!!!  I cut up my chicken thighs and put them back in the sauce when they came out of the oven.  So here you have it!  Sesame Noodles with Sweet and Spicy Chicken.  I know you will enjoy this meal and I would love feed back if you try it, as well as seeing your pictures!  Find me on www.facebook.com/foodlifeandspice as well as on twitter @thekitchenwife.  Also, I have just joined Pinterest!  Look for me at http://www.pinterest.com/Thekitchenwife/.  Thanks again for reading!
 
Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,

The Kitchen Wife
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 

 

1 comments:

  1. I am definitely making this. I love how this version doesn't have a mile-long list of ingredients like most Asian dishes. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete