Name: Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 8 ounces wide rice noodles; 1/3 cup tamari/soy sauce; 1 tablespoon tamari/soy sauce; 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sushi ginger, chopped; chili flakes, to taste; 1/4 cup water; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, sliced; 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch; 3 tablespoons salted butter; 4 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 shallot, sliced; 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced; 4 scallions, chopped; 1 cup Thai or regular basil, chopped; sesame seeds, for serving

There's something truly irresistible about the satisfying crunch of golden chicken paired with the bold, fragrant flavors of garlic and basil. This Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe combines those textures and tastes into one vibrant, comforting dish that's simple enough for weeknights yet impressive enough to share. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become a fast favorite.

A textured grey bowl holds a dish with three main layers. The bottom layer shows wide, flat noodles in shades of light brown, tangled together with a glossy look. The middle layer contains pieces of red and orange bell peppers mixed with some greens, adding bright and fresh colors. On top, there are small browned pieces of cooked chicken sprinkled with white sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions. Fresh green herbs are scattered over the whole dish, adding a touch of brightness. The bowl sits on a dark wood surface with scattered leaves nearby, but the background is changed to a white marbled texture. The light highlights the textures and colors, making the dish look fresh and warm. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe more times than I can count because it nails that perfect balance: crispy chicken, tender noodles, and a sauce that’s both sweet and tangy with an extra kick. It’s a delightful crowd-pleaser that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.

Crisp & Tender Texture: The chicken comes out perfectly crispy while the bell peppers and noodles stay tender, offering the best of both worlds.
Vibrant Flavors: Garlic, Thai basil, and a punchy sauce with sweet chili and tamari combine to create layers of authentic Thai-inspired taste.
Quick & Weeknight-Friendly: Ready in just 20 minutes, this meal doesn’t skimp on flavor despite its speedy prep and cook time.
Customizable: Whether you want it spicier or prefer chicken breasts to thighs, this recipe lets you adjust easily for your preferences.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a star role here. The wide rice noodles soak up the sauce just right, while the combination of tamari, sweet Thai chili sauce, and rice vinegar offers a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy that sings with every bite.

Flat lay of wide rice noodles neatly coiled, a small white bowl with dark glossy tamari soy sauce, a small white bowl of vibrant red sweet Thai chili sauce, a small white bowl of golden toasted sesame oil, a small white bowl of pale rice vinegar, a small mound of finely chopped pink sushi ginger, a small white bowl with bright red chili flakes, raw boneless skinless chicken thighs sliced into strips, a small pile of white flour, three cloves of whole garlic with their papery skins intact, a small fresh shallot sliced thinly, two colorful bell peppers thinly sliced (one red, one yellow), chopped green scallions, a small white bowl piled with fresh green Thai basil leaves, a small white bowl filled with golden sesame seeds, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Wide rice noodles: These noodles hold sauce beautifully and have great chewy texture to complement the crisp chicken.
Tamari or soy sauce: Provides the salty umami backbone of the sauce; tamari is gluten-free if you prefer.
Sweet Thai chili sauce: Adds a lovely sweet heat that’s signature to many Thai dishes.
Toasted sesame oil: A little goes a long way to add deep, nutty aroma and flavor.
Rice vinegar: Brings a gentle tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.
Sushi ginger: Offers bright zingy notes that cut through the richness.
Chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs give more juicy richness, but breasts are leaner and still delicious.
Flour or cornstarch: Used for dusting the chicken to achieve that irresistible crispy crust.
Salted butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
Garlic: Freshly chopped garlic is essential for that punchy, savory flavor throughout.
Shallot: Mellow sweetness that’s more subtle than onion and blends wonderfully with the garlic.
Bell peppers: Provide crisp freshness and pop of color.
Scallions: Add sharp, bright onion flavor that livens up the dish.
Thai or regular basil: This herb makes the dish truly Thai — sweet, slightly spicy, and aromatic.
Sesame seeds: Toasted on top for a final nutty crunch and neat presentation.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap chicken thighs for breasts when I want something leaner, and sometimes I add a handful of snap peas for extra crunch. You can truly tailor it to your tastes or what’s in your fridge!

Variation: I once tried this dish with shrimp instead of chicken — it cooks faster and makes for a lovely seafood twist.
Spice it up: Adding extra chili flakes or a splash of Sriracha is a great way to amp up the heat for your spice lovers.
Make it vegetarian: Tofu is a great alternative; just toss it in cornstarch and pan-fry until crispy before adding to the noodles.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe

A plate holds a colorful stir-fried noodle dish on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is wide, flat noodles with a shiny, brown sauce coating them, with pieces of red bell pepper mixed in. On top, there are small browned pieces of meat and a scattering of thin green onion slices, fresh green herbs, and sesame seeds. Two wooden chopsticks with blue and white patterns rest on the left side of the plate. Light shines strongly on the dish, creating warm highlights and shadows, and there are glasses with golden drinks partially visible on the sides. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Perfect Your Noodles

Start by cooking your wide rice noodles exactly according to the package instructions. I like to rinse them under cold water after draining to stop the cooking and prevent sticking. Now set them aside — this little step keeps them from becoming mushy later when they soak up the sauce.

Step 2: Whisk Up the Sauce

In a bowl, combine tamari or soy sauce, sweet Thai chili sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, chopped sushi ginger, chili flakes, and a bit of water. Stir everything together until the sauce is smooth and ready to coat every bite.

Step 3: Crispy Chicken Magic

Toss your sliced chicken with flour or cornstarch to create the crispy crust. Melt 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until it’s golden and crispy on the outside, about 5 minutes, flipping once. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter, a splash of tamari, and your chopped garlic; cook for another minute to infuse flavor before setting the chicken aside.

Step 4: Sauté Your Veggies

Using the same skillet, toss in your shallot, bell peppers, and scallions. Sauté for about 5 minutes so they soften slightly but keep their crunch. This step really adds fresh layers of color and texture.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Add the sauce, noodles, and crispy chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything gently to combine and warm through for 3-5 minutes. Then stir in half the chopped Thai basil, removing the skillet from heat just as the basil’s aroma blooms.

Step 6: Serve with a Flourish

Serve your noodles warm, topped with the remaining fresh basil and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an extra burst of flavor and texture.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, the secret to that satisfying crispiness on the chicken is the dusting of flour or cornstarch before pan-frying and using butter for richness. It’s a combination I’ve found makes all the difference versus just using oil.

Pat Chicken Dry: Before coating, drying the chicken well helps the flour stick better and yields that crispy crust.
Medium Heat is Key: Cooking over medium heat lets the butter brown without burning, creating that perfect crispy exterior.
Sauce Timing: Add the sauce once vegetables are just softened to prevent soggy noodles.
Fresh Basil Last: Stir it in off the heat to keep its bright flavor and avoid bitterness.

How to Serve Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe

Crispy Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I never skip on fresh Thai basil and toasted sesame seeds on top — they give this dish a fresh herbal pop and a toasty crunch that really finish it off. Sometimes I add a wedge of lime for a squeeze of brightness at the table.

Side Dishes

This goes well with a simple cucumber salad dressed lightly with rice vinegar and chili flakes or steamed jasmine rice if you want something mild on the side. A light Asian slaw is another favorite to add some crisp freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to arrange the noodles in shallow bowls, top with the chicken, and scatter chopped peanuts and extra basil for texture and flair. A drizzle of Sriracha or extra chili oil on the side lets guests control their spice level.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The chicken stays pretty crisp for a day or so, but the noodles soak up more sauce over time—still delicious, just less crispy.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this dish because the noodles can get mushy, but if you want to, freeze the cooked chicken separately. Thaw and quickly reheat it before tossing together with freshly cooked noodles and sauce.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra soy sauce if it feels dry. This helps revive the noodles and warms the chicken without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well, especially if you prefer leaner meat. Just be careful not to overcook them, as they can dry out faster than thighs.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can substitute the chicken with firm tofu. Press and dry the tofu, then dust with cornstarch before pan-frying to get that crispy coating. Use vegetarian tamari or soy sauce to keep it fully plant-based.

What noodles work best for this dish?

Traditional wide rice noodles are ideal because they soak up the sauce well and provide the perfect chewy texture. However, you could try fresh linguine or even thick egg noodles if rice noodles are hard to find.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the sauce and chop the vegetables ahead of time to save a few minutes on the day of cooking. However, for the best texture, it's best to cook the chicken and noodles fresh just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe holds a special place in my meal rotation because it strikes such a perfect harmony of crispy, saucy, sweet, and savory. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’re eating something special, even on a hectic weeknight. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — and that it brings a bit of warmth and joy to your table.