Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce

This chicken recipe, Sesame Noodles with Peanut Sauce, leans on sesame seeds, chunky peanut butter and cloves garlic. It makes 6 Servings and takes about 45 minutes.

• Yield 6 Servings
• Ready in 45 minutes
• Prep 15 minutes
• Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
• 2 medium cloves garlic (minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons))
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 5 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• Hot water
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 12 ounces dried spaghetti noodles
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 4 scallions (green onions, sliced thin on diagonal)
• 1 medium carrot (grated)

Instructions

1. Toast sesame seeds in medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 tablespoon sesame seeds in small bowl. In blender or food processor, puree remaining 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, and sugar until smooth, about 30 seconds. With machine running, add hot water 1 tablespoon (for a total of about 5 tablespoons, give or take) at time until sauce has consistency of heavy cream, slightly thickened but pourable. Set blender jar or workbowl aside.
2. Bring 6 quarts water to boil in stockpot over high heat. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to 6 inches from broiler element; heat broiler. Spray broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet lined with foil with cooking spray; place chicken breasts on top and broil chicken until lightly browned, 4 to 8 minutes. Using tongs, flip chicken over and continue to broil until thickest part is no longer pink when cut into and registers about 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Transfer to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Using 2 forks, shred chicken into bite-size pieces and set aside. Add salt and noodles to boiling water; boil noodles until tender, about 10 minutes or according to package directions.
4. Drain then toss noodles with sesame oil until evenly coated. Add shredded chicken, scallions, carrot, and sauce; toss to combine. Divide among individual bowls, sprinkle each bowl with portion of reserved toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Give it a minute off the heat, then serve it while it is still hot.