Description

This Sweet & Spicy Hot Chili Chicken Noodles with Basil recipe combines tender ground chicken cooked in a flavorful mixture of ginger, garlic, coconut sugar, tomato paste, and hot chili paste, simmered to perfection in a rich sauce. Tossed with tender ramen noodles and garnished with fresh basil, roasted cashews, and red pepper flakes, this dish delivers a harmonious balance of heat, sweetness, and aromatic freshness perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

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 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
3 tablespoons hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cups water
10 ounces ramen noodles (or spaghetti, fettuccine, or rice noodles)

Toppings & Garnishes

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

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Instructions

Brown the chicken: Add sesame oil to a large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, about 5 minutes, breaking it into medium-sized chunks to ensure even cooking.
Add aromatics and sweetness: Stir in freshly grated ginger, thinly sliced garlic, and coconut sugar. Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the mixture is fragrant.
Incorporate flavor bases: Mix in tomato paste, fresh chopped basil, and hot chili paste. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute to deepen the flavors, then add reduced sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Simmer the sauce: Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and concentrates in flavor, about 30 minutes.
Cook the noodles: While the sauce simmers, cook your choice of noodles in boiling salted water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Combine and serve: Add the drained noodles to the thickened sauce and stir well to coat evenly. Divide into bowls and garnish with fresh basil ribbons, chopped roasted cashews or peanuts, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

You can substitute ramen noodles with spaghetti, fettuccine, or rice noodles depending on your preference or dietary needs.
Adjust the amount of hot chili paste to control the spice level according to taste.
For a nut-free version, omit the cashews or peanuts.
Use reduced sodium soy sauce to better control the salt content in the dish.
Make sure to stir occasionally while simmering the sauce to prevent sticking or burning on the bottom of the pot.