Chicken Ramen Stir Fry: A Quick & Flavorful Weeknight Hero

Picture this: it’s a Tuesday night, you’ve just wrapped up a long day of juggling work, errands, and maybe refereeing a minor sibling spat over who “looked” at who first. The last thing you want is to spend an hour chopping, stirring, and babysitting a fussy dish. Enter Chicken Ramen Stir Fry—your 30-minute miracle worker.

This dish takes humble ramen noodles (yes, the same ones we all survived on in college) and gives them a serious glow-up with juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and a sauce that’s the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a touch peppery. It’s hearty, colorful, and best of all—it’s an easy weeknight meal that doesn’t leave you with a mountain of dishes.

Think of it as comfort food meets quick dinner magic. And the best part? You can swap veggies or adjust spice levels without fear of messing it up. This Asian stir fry will keep both picky eaters and adventurous foodies happy.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

  • Fast & fuss-free: On the table in 30 minutes flat.

  • Family-friendly: Balanced flavors without being too spicy.

  • Flexible: Use whatever veggies you have in the fridge.

  • Delicious: The noodles soak up every drop of that rich, glossy sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 2 packages ramen noodles (seasoning packets discarded)

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 cup snap peas

  • 1 medium carrot, julienned

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced

  • 3 green onions, sliced (whites and greens separated)

  • ¼ cup soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • ¼ tsp white pepper

Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

  1. Boil noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook ramen for 2 minutes, slightly underdone. Drain and set aside.

  2. Mix sauce: In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper.

  3. Cook chicken: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet. Stir-fry chicken for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

  4. Cook veggies: Add the remaining oil. Toss in bell pepper, snap peas, and carrot. Stir-fry 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.

  5. Add aromatics: Stir in garlic, ginger, and white parts of green onions. Cook about 30 seconds.

  6. Combine everything: Return chicken, noodles, and sauce to the pan. Stir-fry 2–3 minutes until everything is coated and heated through.

  7. Serve: Garnish with green onion tops and enjoy immediately.

Tips for the Best Stir Fry

  • Noodle trick: Cook ramen slightly under so they don’t turn mushy when stir-fried.

  • High heat is key: A hot pan gives you that quick sear and crisp veggies.

  • Swap freely: Broccoli, mushrooms, or even zucchini work great if you don’t have snap peas.

  • Chicken swap: Not a thigh fan? Use chicken breast, shrimp, or even tofu.

  • Sauce saver: Double the sauce if you like extra glossy noodles.

Chicken Ramen Stir Fr

A Little Story from My Kitchen

The first time I made this dish, I was trying to get dinner on the table before my husband walked in from work. He’s one of those people who can tell from the smell of the kitchen what’s cooking—so I was determined to impress. By the time he opened the door, the house smelled like garlic, ginger, and soy sauce heaven. He literally dropped his briefcase, peeked into the skillet, and said, “Okay, this is a keeper.”

From then on, it became our “Thursday night special.” Quick, easy, and tasty enough that no one missed takeout. I still smile every time I toss those noodles in the pan because it reminds me of that moment when something so simple became a family favorite.

What to Serve with Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

This dish is a meal on its own, but a little extra never hurts:

  • Light sides: A crisp cucumber salad or simple miso soup.

  • Extra veggies: Steam some broccoli or bok choy on the side.

  • Crunch factor: Sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed peanuts on top.

  • Something refreshing: Pair with iced green tea or a sparkling lime soda.

If you’re feeling indulgent, serve it with crispy spring rolls—it turns into a full-on Asian-inspired dinner feast.

How to Store & Reheat

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

  • Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

  • Freezer: Technically you can freeze it, but ramen noodles can get a little soggy. If you know you’ll want to freeze portions, cook the noodles just halfway before mixing them in.

This reheats beautifully, making it a solid meal-prep option. Just remember, noodles love to soak up sauce, so keep an extra batch of sauce handy for reheating.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes! Chicken breast works fine, just be careful not to overcook since it dries out faster.

What kind of ramen should I buy?

The inexpensive instant kind works great—just toss the seasoning packets. You can also use fresh ramen if you want a fancier touch.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap chicken for tofu or extra veggies, and use vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce.

Is this spicy?

Not as written. If you like heat, add chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce.

Bringing It All Together

At the end of the day, Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is the kind of recipe that proves dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. It’s quick enough for a busy weeknight but tasty enough to serve when friends come over. Every bite delivers tender chicken, crisp veggies, and those slurp-worthy noodles coated in savoury sauce.

So the next time you’re tempted to reach for takeout, remember this dish is faster, fresher, and way more fun to make. Plus, you’ll love the feeling of sitting down with your family to a meal that tastes like it came from your favourite Asian restaurant—but was cooked right in your own kitchen.

Now go grab those ramen packets hiding in the back of your pantry—you’ve got dinner waiting.

Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.

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Chicken Ramen Stir Fry

Chicken Ramen Stir Fry


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  • Author: Olivia Hartwellen
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful 30-minute weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and ramen noodles are tossed in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce for an easy Asian-inspired meal that tastes better than takeout.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 packages ramen noodles (seasoning packets discarded)

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 cup snap peas

  • 1 medium carrot, julienned

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced

  • 3 green onions, sliced (whites and greens separated)

For the sauce

  • ¼ cup soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • ¼ tsp white pepper


Instructions

  • Cook ramen in boiling water for 2 minutes until slightly underdone. Drain and set aside.

  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper.

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir fry chicken 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

  • Add remaining oil to the pan. Stir fry bell pepper, snap peas, and carrot for 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.

  • Add garlic, ginger, and white parts of green onions. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

  • Return chicken and noodles to the pan. Pour in sauce and stir fry 2–3 minutes until noodles are coated and heated through.

  • Garnish with green onion tops. Serve hot.

Notes

Cook noodles slightly under so they don’t get mushy.

Use chicken breast, shrimp, or tofu as alternatives.

Swap veggies for broccoli, mushrooms, or zucchini.

Double the sauce if you like extra glossy noodles.

Leftovers reheat best with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner / Main Course
  • Method: Stir Fry
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

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