Description

A quick and flavorful Asian-inspired recipe featuring rice noodles tossed in a creamy peanut butter sauce with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner packed with a balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.

Ingredients

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
1/3 cup carrots (julienned)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)
2-3 green onions (sliced)
1/4 cup roughly chopped peanuts

Noodles & Oils

8 oz. rice noodles
2 tablespoons peanut oil (divided)

Sauce Ingredients

1 1/4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon sriracha (I use Frank’s)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

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Instructions

Prepare the sauce. Combine all sauce ingredients except the peanut butter in a large measuring cup with a spout. Ensure the ingredients are at room temperature to prevent cornstarch activation. Once well mixed, stir in the peanut butter and set aside. The peanut butter will fully blend once heated.
Cook and prep noodles. Boil the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Toss the noodles with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil and set aside to keep them separated.
Sauté vegetables and combine. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red bell pepper strips and julienned carrots, cooking for about 3 minutes while stirring frequently until slightly tender. Pour in the prepared sauce and bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
Combine noodles and sauce. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet, tossing them well to coat evenly in the sauce. Heat through for a couple of minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
Garnish and serve. Remove the skillet from heat. Top the noodles with fresh cilantro, chopped peanuts, and sliced green onions. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious peanut butter noodles!

Notes

Use rice noodles for the best texture, but you can substitute with other Asian noodles like udon or soba if preferred.
Make sure the sauce ingredients are not warm before mixing to avoid premature thickening from the cornstarch.
Adjust sriracha quantity to control the spiciness level to your taste.
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container and reheated gently on a skillet or microwave.