Description

Sweet & Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles with Basil is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring ground chicken cooked in a savory, spicy sauce made with ginger, garlic, tomato paste, and hot chili paste. Tossed with tender ramen noodles and garnished with fresh basil ribbons and crunchy roasted nuts, this recipe combines a balance of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors for a satisfying meal ready in 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame oil (or avocado oil)
1 pound ground chicken
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
2 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
3 tablespoons hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cup water
10 ounces ramen noodles (or spaghetti, fettuccine, or rice noodles)

Garnishes

Fresh chopped basil (basil ribbons)
Chopped roasted cashews or peanuts (honey roasted preferred)
Extra red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Cook the chicken: Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, breaking it into medium-sized chunks for even cooking.
Add aromatics: Stir in the freshly grated ginger, sliced garlic, and coconut sugar. Cook for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the mixture is fragrant, allowing flavors to develop.
Build the sauce: Mix in tomato paste, chopped basil, and hot chili paste. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, then add the reduced sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors.
Simmer the sauce: Reduce heat to low and continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the sauce thickens nicely, about 30 minutes. This slow simmer allows the sauce to deepen in flavor and reduce to the perfect consistency.
Cook the noodles: While the sauce simmers, cook noodles in boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside.
Combine and serve: Add the drained noodles to the thickened sauce and stir well to coat evenly. Divide the noodles into serving bowls, then garnish with fresh basil ribbons, chopped roasted cashews or peanuts, and a sprinkle of extra red pepper flakes for added heat if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Use ground chicken for a lean protein option, but ground turkey can be substituted if preferred.
Adjust the amount of hot chili paste and red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
Ramen noodles work well, but feel free to use spaghetti, fettuccine, or rice noodles depending on your preference or dietary needs.
To make it vegetarian, substitute ground chicken with plant-based crumbles and use vegetarian soy sauce.
Cooking the sauce low and slow allows flavors to intensify and the sauce to thicken; do not rush this step.