When you crave comfort food with a kick, Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles hit the spot with bold flavor and satisfying texture. This dish delivers tender pieces of garlic-glazed chicken over a bed of saucy noodles, balanced perfectly between sweet, savory, and just the right amount of spice.

Whether you’re whipping it up for a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, these noodles are a crowd-pleaser. With a glossy sticky sauce and a topping of scallions and sesame seeds, it’s a dish that looks as good as it tastes.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into this delicious noodle creation, having the right tools on hand makes the entire process smoother:

Large Nonstick Skillet or Wok: This is crucial for evenly searing the chicken and tossing the noodles without sticking. A wok allows high heat cooking and proper sauce distribution.
Sharp Chef’s Knife: Essential for cleanly cubing the chicken and chopping fresh scallions. Dull knives make prep messier and less safe.
Cutting Board: A sturdy board keeps your ingredients organized and speeds up prep work.

Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for marinating the chicken with soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil.
Tongs or Cooking Chopsticks: These help toss the noodles without breaking them apart and ensure each strand gets coated in sauce.
Measuring Spoons and Cups: For precise sauce ratios, especially when balancing salty and sweet elements like soy sauce and honey.

Ingredients for the Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles

Every ingredient in this dish plays a key role in building layers of flavor:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts – Juicy, protein-packed, and perfect for soaking up the sauce.
Garlic (freshly minced) – Brings the deep, aromatic base that defines the sauce.

Soy Sauce – Adds salty, umami richness and helps build the sticky glaze.
Honey – Balances out the saltiness with a natural sweetness and helps create the caramelized texture.
Sesame Oil – Enhances the overall dish with nutty depth and traditional Asian flavor.

Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce and gives the chicken a glossy coating.
Ginger (optional) – For an extra zing and warmth in the background.
Lo Mein or Ramen Noodles – The chewy base that carries all the sauce and chicken.

Green Onions (Scallions) – Brighten up the dish and add a crisp fresh bite.
Sesame Seeds – For a final sprinkle of nuttiness and visual appeal.

How To Make the Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine cubed chicken with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes. This builds the base flavor and helps the chicken brown nicely.

Step 2: Cook the Noodles

Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat your skillet or wok with a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Create the Garlic Sauce

In the same pan, add more oil if needed, then add minced garlic (and ginger if using). Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in remaining soy sauce and honey, adjusting to taste. Let it simmer until thick and sticky.

Step 5: Toss Everything Together

Return chicken to the pan and add the cooked noodles. Toss with tongs until everything is well coated in the sauce and heated through.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot and glossy.

Serving and Storing Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles

Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles are best served hot, straight from the skillet. They make a hearty main course and pair beautifully with steamed vegetables like bok choy or broccoli.

For leftovers, let the noodles cool completely before transferring them into an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, a quick toss in a hot skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce brings them back to life.

You can also freeze the cooked chicken separately and combine it with freshly made noodles for a semi-prepped weeknight meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead?

Yes, you can! Just cube the chicken and toss it in the sauce during the final toss with the noodles. It won’t be as sticky but still delicious.

Is this dish spicy?

The recipe itself isn’t spicy, but you can easily add heat with a touch of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or red pepper flakes.

Can I substitute the noodles?

Absolutely. Rice noodles, udon, soba, or even spaghetti work well depending on what you have on hand.

How can I make it gluten-free?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles. Double-check all sauces to ensure they’re certified gluten-free.

What vegetables can I add?

Snap peas, shredded carrots, bell peppers, or baby spinach work well. Just sauté them briefly before adding the noodles.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the chicken with tofu or tempeh. Crisp it up in the pan, then follow the same sauce and noodle steps.

Want More Noodle Dinner Ideas?

If you love these sticky garlic chicken noodles, you’ll probably enjoy these other saucy, comforting favorites:

Sweet Garlic Chicken in the Crockpot for hands-off slow cooking ease.
One-Pot Sassy Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Pasta for a spicy twist on chicken noodles.
Sticky Honey Garlic Steak and Rotini if you’re in the mood for red meat with a bold garlic glaze.

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese for a creamy, cheesy comfort bowl.
Garlic Chicken Lo Mein when you want something fast and packed with flavor.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Follow me on Pinterest.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go spicy or keep it mild? Try extra veggies or a noodle swap?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.

Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles

Author: Olivia McKenney

Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles are the ultimate weeknight comfort food—savory, sweet, and sticky all at once. Juicy chicken tossed in a glossy garlic-honey sauce and nestled in saucy noodles, finished with scallions and sesame seeds. This dish is fast, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.

Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: Combine cubed chicken, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tbsp cornstarch in a bowl. Let sit for 15–20 minutes.

2. Cook the noodles: Boil noodles according to package instructions, drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.

3. Sear the chicken: In a skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and done. Remove and set aside.

4. Make the sauce: In the same pan, add another tbsp oil if needed. Sauté garlic (and ginger, if using) until fragrant. Add remaining soy sauce and honey. Simmer until thickened.

5. Combine and toss: Return chicken to the pan. Add cooked noodles and toss everything together until well coated and hot.

6. Garnish and serve: Top with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.