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; 1/4 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 incredibly satisfying about biting into tender chicken with that perfect golden crunch, all tossed with noodles swimming in a garlicky, tangy sauce. That’s exactly what you get from this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe—a wonderful harmony of textures and flavors that turns dinner into a genuine treat.

A white bowl filled with wide, flat noodles forming the base layer, mixed with thin strips of red and yellow bell peppers. The top layer consists of golden brown, crispy pieces of fried chicken scattered unevenly, adding texture and color contrast. Green sliced scallions are sprinkled over the dish along with sesame seeds, and fresh green herb leaves add bright green touches on top. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with natural sunlight casting deep shadows around, highlighting the warm colors of the food. 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

From the moment I first made this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe, I was hooked. It’s a brilliant one-pan dinner that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in under 30 minutes. Plus, the bold garlic and chili flavors get everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Crispy Chicken Goodness: The chicken gets coated with just enough flour and pan-fried in butter until perfectly golden and crunchy, adding a wonderful contrast to the silky noodles.
Bold, Balanced Sauce: Combining tamari, Thai chili sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil gives a multi-layered flavor that’s both tangy and a little sweet with a lovely hint of heat.
Fresh Veggie Crunch: Bell peppers, shallots, and scallions bring bright colors and textural variety, making every bite vibrant and satisfying.
Quick and Easy: This recipe shines when you want a home-cooked meal fast without compromising on taste—perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe plays a role in building flavor or texture. Here’s a quick rundown on my essentials and how they contribute to the dish’s magic.

Flat lay of wide rice noodles arranged in a neat pile, a raw whole chicken thigh with fresh pink skin, a small mound of flour, a few cloves of unpeeled garlic, one sliced shallot, two thinly sliced red and yellow bell peppers, chopped scallions scattered delicately, a generous handful of fresh Thai basil leaves, a small white bowl filled with sweet Thai chili sauce, another white bowl holding tamari soy sauce, a third small white bowl with toasted sesame oil, a fourth white bowl containing rice vinegar, a small pile of chopped sushi ginger, a pinch of red chili flakes arranged artistically, a few sesame seeds sprinkled artistically near the edges, and two small pats of salted butter placed neatly on a simple white ceramic plate, all elements balanced with perfect symmetry, 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 soak up the sauce perfectly and have a great chewy texture that’s ideal for this dish.
Tamari or soy sauce: I use tamari for a gluten-free option; it adds salty depth and umami richness.
Sweet Thai chili sauce: Introduces a subtle sweetness and gentle heat, balancing the savory elements beautifully.
Toasted sesame oil: Just a touch brings that unmistakable nutty aroma and rounds out the flavors.
Rice vinegar: Adds brightness and a little tang that lifts the whole dish.
Sushi ginger: Chopped finely, it gives little bursts of zesty freshness.
Chili flakes: Adjustable by preference, these kick up the heat and add complexity.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts): Thighs stay juicier and crisp up nicely, but breasts work if you prefer leaner meat.
Flour or cornstarch: Helps build that crispy coating on the chicken without being heavy or greasy.
Salted butter: Cooking the chicken and veggies in butter adds indulgent flavor and mouthfeel.
Garlic: Essential for garlicky punch, I never skip it here!
Shallot: Adds mild onion sweetness with a hint of sharpness.
Bell peppers: Thinly sliced for crunch and color contrast.
Scallions: Fresh and mild onion flavor that brightens every bite.
Basil (Thai or regular): A fragrant finish that adds herbal freshness and aroma.
Sesame seeds: For garnish and a final subtle crunch.

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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

This dish is like a blank canvas—you can easily customize it to fit your cravings or what’s in your fridge. I love swapping in extra veggies or turning up the heat if I’m feeling adventurous.

Variation: I’ve tried this recipe with shrimp instead of chicken and loved how the seafood added a light, briny touch.
Vegetarian option: Swap the chicken for tofu coated in cornstarch, pan-fried until crispy, for a satisfying meat-free meal.
Make it spicier: Add fresh chopped Thai chilis or more chili flakes if you like it fiery.
Seasonal twist: Mix in snap peas or baby corn for extra crunch in spring or summer.

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

A gray bowl filled with three main layers: the bottom layer has wide, flat noodles with a light brown sauce; the middle layer contains pieces of cooked meat that are golden brown and crispy; the top layer is a mix of fresh green herbs, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and small bits of red bell pepper, adding color and freshness. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with wooden chopsticks that are yellow with blue and white patterns resting on the bowl's edge. There are also glasses with a golden drink nearby and some green leaves scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cook the noodles just right

Start by cooking the wide rice noodles following the package instructions. I find it’s best to cook them al dente to avoid sogginess later. Drain and set aside so they’re ready to soak up all those flavors in the sauce. Keep an eye on the timing here — overcooked noodles can get mushy and drag down the whole dish.

Step 2: Whip up the flavorful sauce

In a bowl, combine tamari or soy sauce, sweet Thai chili sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, chopped sushi ginger, and chili flakes. Add a bit of water to loosen the sauce so it can coat every noodle perfectly. This sauce is the heart of the dish—bold yet balanced—so taste test as you go and adjust the sweetness or tang to your liking.

Step 3: Get the chicken crispy and fragrant

Toss sliced chicken thighs in flour or cornstarch—this step is key for that irresistible crispiness. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken. Cook until golden and crisp on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter, a splash of tamari or soy sauce, and chopped garlic—cooking for another minute will infuse the chicken with garlicky goodness. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 4: Sauté the veggies and bring it all together

Use the same skillet to soften the shallots, bell peppers, and scallions in the residual butter and chicken flavor. Cook for about 5 minutes until they’re tender but still retain a bit of crunch. Toss in the sauce, noodles, and chicken, stirring everything to combine. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes more so the noodles soak up the savory sauce. Just before you turn off the heat, stir in half the chopped basil for a pop of freshness.

Step 5: Serve it up with fresh herbs and seeds

Serve the noodles warm, garnished generously with the remaining basil and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. This last touch makes the dish feel special and adds a little texture contrast at the end.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe dozens of times, and a few small tweaks make all the difference between just good and absolutely incredible. Here are my go-to tips to get you there faster without stress.

Prepping Chicken Evenly: Slice the chicken thighs into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness.
Don’t Skip the Flour Coat: Lightly dusting the chicken with flour or cornstarch is what creates that signature crispy crust, so don’t be shy!
Butter is Your Friend: I always use salted butter for cooking the chicken and veggies—it adds richness and helps the garlic and shallots caramelize beautifully.
Adjust Heat Gradually: When adding chili flakes, start small—you can always add more later if you want it spicier.

How to Serve Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe

Crispy Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of fresh basil sprinkled on top for color and aroma—it just elevates the dish instantly. Toasted sesame seeds add a nice crunch and nuttiness. Sometimes, I add extra scallions or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a little zing right before serving.

Side Dishes

Because the noodles are so satisfying on their own, I keep sides simple—crispy spring rolls, a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar, or even steamed bok choy tossed in a little soy and garlic are my go-to accompaniments.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like serving the noodles in individual shallow bowls topped with whole basil sprigs and extra garlic chips. It’s a beautiful way to showcase the vibrant colors and make guests feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the meal, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The noodles soak up the sauce more overnight, making them even tastier but sometimes a bit softer. I recommend reheating gently to maintain some of the chicken’s crispiness.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this noodle dish because the texture of the noodles and veggies doesn’t hold up well. However, you can freeze the cooked chicken separately before combining it with freshly cooked noodles later to keep things fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth, tossing frequently to revive the sauce and loosen noodles. If you microwave, add a damp paper towel to retain moisture and avoid drying out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs in this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay juicier and crisp better, but chicken breasts will work fine too—just be careful not to overcook them since they’re leaner and dry out faster.

How spicy is this Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe?

The recipe has a gentle heat from chili flakes and the sweet Thai chili sauce. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer chili flakes or topping with fresh chilies to suit your tolerance.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your chili sauce is gluten-free. Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, making this dish quite friendly for gluten-sensitive eaters.

What’s the best way to keep the chicken crispy when reheating leftovers?

The best way is to reheat the chicken separately in a hot skillet with a little oil to crisp it back up, then toss it with the noodles and sauce gently just before serving. Avoid microwaving straight away as it tends to make the coating soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Garlic Chicken Thai Noodles Recipe is one I keep coming back to because it’s so full of bold flavors yet simple to execute. I love how it brings a little bit of that Thai street food vibe into my kitchen without a fuss. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become a favorite go-to for your busy weeknights or when you want to impress without stressing. Give it a whirl—you won’t be disappointed!