Healthy Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

Introduction

This Healthy Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Broccoli recipe is a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and a savory sesame sauce, it’s a balanced dish that’s both satisfying and delicious.

A close-up view of a bowl filled with three layers: the bottom layer is yellow cooked noodles, the middle layer has bright green broccoli pieces with a fresh texture, and the top layer consists of light brown grilled chicken chunks scattered evenly along with green sliced scallions and small white sesame seeds sprinkled all over. The bowl is white and rests on a surface with white marbled texture. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with sliced green scallions, slightly out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. linguine pasta (uncooked)
  • 4 cups frozen broccoli (340g)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
  • 1.5 lb chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp ginger, freshly minced or paste (powder works in a pinch)
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • Green onions for garnishing
  • Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (60g) or coconut aminos
  • 3 Tbsp honey (63g)
  • 2 Tbsp sesame oil (28g)
  • 3 Tbsp rice vinegar (45g)
  • 2 tsp sriracha (12g) or a few shakes cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Add water and a tablespoon of salt to a large pot and bring to a high boil. Cook the linguine for 6-7 minutes, then add the frozen broccoli to the pot. Cook both together for an additional 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Stir to combine and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, minced garlic, ginger, and a few shakes of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-6 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: Give the sauce mixture a quick stir, then add the drained pasta and broccoli along with the sauce to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Toss gently until everything is well coated and evenly mixed.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use fresh ginger for the best flavor, but ginger paste or powder can work in a pinch.
  • Swap linguine with soba noodles or whole wheat pasta for a different texture.
  • Add steamed carrots or snap peas for extra color and crunch.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with firm tofu and use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of water or sesame oil while reheating to keep the noodles moist.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a noodle dish containing thick beige noodles mixed with bright green broccoli florets and light brown cooked chicken chunks, all topped with chopped green onions and white sesame seeds sprinkled evenly. A fork with a cream handle rests inside the bowl, partially buried in the noodles. To the right, a white scalloped bowl holds sliced green onions, and another similar bowl holds sesame seeds, all set on a white marbled surface. The colors are fresh and vibrant, showing a well-mixed, healthy meal photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh broccoli can be used. Simply steam or blanch it until tender-crisp before adding it to the dish during the final step.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely. Replace the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh and use a plant-based honey substitute or maple syrup in the sauce to keep it vegan-friendly.

Print

Healthy Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

A quick and healthy recipe featuring tender chicken and nutritious broccoli tossed with linguine pasta in a flavorful sesame sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. Perfect for a balanced weeknight dinner with an Asian-inspired twist.

  • Author: Isabella
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 10 oz. linguine pasta (uncooked)
  • 4 cups frozen broccoli (340g)

Protein and Aromatics

  • 1.5 lb chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil (15g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp ginger, crushed or freshly minced (ginger paste or powder can be used)

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (60g) or coconut aminos
  • 3 Tbsp honey (63g)
  • 2 Tbsp sesame oil (28g)
  • 3 Tbsp rice vinegar (45g)
  • 2 tsp sriracha (12g) or a few shakes cayenne pepper (optional)

Garnish

  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • Green onions, for garnishing

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Add water to a large pot with a tablespoon of salt and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the linguine and cook for 6-7 minutes. Then add the frozen broccoli directly into the pot with the noodles and cook for an additional 3 minutes until broccoli is tender. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Prepare Sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sriracha to create a balanced, tangy sauce with a hint of spice.
  3. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, minced garlic, ginger, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir frequently and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat.
  4. Combine and Toss: Give the sauce mixture a quick stir to ensure it is well blended. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli along with the sauce directly to the skillet containing the cooked chicken. Toss everything together until the linguine is evenly coated with the sesame sauce and all ingredients are mixed well.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve warm for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Use low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos to keep the dish healthier and lower in salt.
  • Frozen broccoli works well and saves prep time; fresh broccoli can be substituted if preferred.
  • Adjust the amount of sriracha or cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
  • The honey in the sauce can be replaced with maple syrup or agave syrup for a vegan option, and the chicken can be substituted with tofu for a vegetarian version.
  • Make sure to stir the sauce right before combining to ensure the ingredients are properly emulsified.

Keywords: Sesame Noodles, Chicken Pasta, Healthy Asian Recipe, Broccoli Noodles, Quick Dinner, Sesame Sauce, Chicken and Broccoli

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