These Bang Bang Chicken Noodles are impossible to resist—chewy udon, saucy chicken, and crisp-tender veggies all pulled together by a sauce that’s spicy, savory, and just a little bit sweet. With recipes like this—quick, spicy, bold, and filling—make you wonder why takeout even exists.
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Udon Noodle Magic
Udon noodles, with their thick and chewy bite, are perfect for this dish because they’re so great at soaking up the bold Bang Bang sauce. This is not your average noodle stir fry.
This is late-night noodle shop food—saucy, spicy, chewy, meaty, and crazy delicious. The vibrant veggies, the sweet-spicy sauce, fresh herbs, crunch peanuts, tender chicken, and toothsome udon. It’s an explosion color, texture, and flavor.
Ingredients You Need
Most of the ingredients for Bang Bang Chicken Noodles can be found at any supermarket, but a few might require a trip to your local Asian grocery. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh udon noodles: These thick noodles are key to this dish’s satisfying texture. You can find them in the refrigerated section of most Asian markets.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: This lean protein cooks quickly and absorbs all the flavors from the sauce.
- Bok choy: Adds a crunchy, slightly bitter note that balances the richness of the noodles and sauce.
- Carrot: Adds sweetness and a bit of color. Slice it into ribbons for an elegant presentation.
- Red bell pepper: Its sweet flavor and crunchy texture pair perfectly with the spicy sauce.
- Green onions: These provide a mild oniony bite that works well with the cilantro and mint.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh, herbal note that brightens the dish.
- Mint leaves: These give the dish a surprising burst of freshness that you’ll love.
- Roasted peanuts: A little crunch goes a long way, and the roasted peanuts deliver a nutty finish.
- Hoisin sauce: Sweet, salty, and thick—this is the base of the sauce that ties everything together.
- Sriracha sauce: Adds that signature heat you want in Bang Bang anything.
- Tomato paste: It gives the sauce depth and a slight tanginess.
- Fresh ginger: Bright and peppery, ginger adds a punch of flavor.
- Fresh garlic: A must for any good stir fry, garlic brings warmth and depth to the sauce.
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How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Noodles
Despite the long ingredient list, this dish comes together faster than you might think. Here’s how:
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Make the sauce by mixing hoisin, sriracha, tomato paste, water, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper. You want to keep it simple here since the sauce will provide plenty of flavor.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown. This should take about 2 minutes.
- Add the vegetables: Toss in the bok choy, carrot, and red bell pepper. Stir-fry them for another 2 minutes, just until they start to soften.
- Add the sauce to the skillet, stirring to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly. Bring everything to a simmer over medium heat.
- Toss in the noodles, green onion, and cilantro. Stir everything together, making sure the noodles are fully coated in that spicy, flavorful sauce.
- Garnish with fresh mint and crushed peanuts before serving.
Expert Tips for Success
- Cook the noodles ahead of time: Udon noodles can become sticky if they sit too long, so rinse them under cold water and toss them with a little oil to keep them from clumping.
- Cut the veggies uniformly: This ensures even cooking and makes the dish look better on the plate. Use a vegetable peeler for carrot ribbons—it’s easier than you think.
- Adjust the heat: If you’re not a fan of too much spice, reduce the amount of sriracha. You can always add more later.
- Use roasted peanuts: Raw peanuts won’t give you the same deep, toasty flavor that makes the dish pop.
More Ways to Use Udon Noodles
Udon noodles are versatile, and their thick, chewy texture works well in a variety of dishes. Toss them in a cold salad with sesame oil, soy sauce, and fresh vegetables like cucumbers and radishes. For a cozy, comforting option, try Creamy Udon Noodle Soup with Mushrooms—the udon noodles soak up the savory broth for a satisfying meal. Another option is Udon Noodles with Thai Green Curry, which combines the noodles with the bold flavors of coconut milk and green curry paste. If you’re craving something hearty with seafood, Shrimp Yaki Udon adds a fantastic twist with stir-fried shrimp and veggies.
Bang Bang Chicken Noodles
Ingredients
- 16 ounces udon noodles fresh
- 8 ounces chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 head bok choy chopped
- 1 piece carrot cut in ribbons
- 1 piece red bell pepper sliced
- ¼ cup green onions thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup mint leaves
- ¼ cup peanuts roasted & chopped
For the sauce
- ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic minced
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Make the sauce by mixing the hoisin, sriracha, tomato paste, water, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl until well combined.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in in a skillet over medium-high heat and then add the chicken and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the bok choy, carrot, and bell pepper and cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add cooked noodles, green onion, and cilantro. Stir to combine and remove from the heat.
- Garnish with mint and crushed peanuts.
Nutrition
Robin Donovan is an AP syndicated writer, recipe developer, food photographer, and author of more than 40 cookbooks including the bestsellers Ramen Obsession and Ramen for Beginners. Her work is featured by major media outlets including Huffington Post, MSN, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Buzzfeed, Cooking Light, Mercury News, Seattle Times, Pop Sugar, and many others. More about Robin