Welcome to your new favorite weeknight hero: a creamy, utterly delicious Satay Chicken Stir Fry featuring wonderfully chewy Udon noodles! This exceptional recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a brilliant solution that adeptly addresses a multitude of culinary needs for busy home cooks and discerning palates alike. Whether you’re consistently short on time, striving to incorporate more nutritious vegetables into your family’s diet, seeking a dish that appeals to even the pickiest eaters, or simply craving an explosion of authentic Asian flavors without the typical culinary effort, you’ve unequivocally found your perfect match.
Forget lengthy ingredient lists, complex techniques, and endless kitchen clean-up. Our Satay Chicken Stir Fry delivers a winning sweet and savory combination, masterfully elevated by the rich, deep, and satisfying notes of a homemade peanut satay sauce. It has become an undisputed superstar in countless households, cherished especially for the delightful textural contrast provided by the thick, comforting Udon noodles. The best part? We’re letting you in on a little culinary secret: a remarkably quick and astonishingly simple satay sauce crafted from just three basic, readily available ingredients. This ingenious shortcut transforms this already incredible dish into a genuine game-changer, ensuring effortless, flavor-packed dinners are always within reach.
For those who appreciate the comforting embrace of homemade meals, we invite you to explore more of our beloved recipes. Indulge in the aromatic flavors of this easy South African Bobotie, savor an aromatic Beef Curry with Coconut Milk and Butter Rice, or discover the timeless appeal of the absolute best Devilled Sausages. Each offers a unique journey of flavor, designed for ease and enjoyment.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Satay Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
This Satay Chicken Stir Fry with Udon Noodles isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a culinary gem meticulously designed to infuse joy, convenience, and unparalleled flavor into your kitchen routine. Here’s a detailed look at what makes it an absolute must-try:
- Remarkably Simple Satay Sauce: Gone are the days of labor-intensive, multi-ingredient satay sauces! Our ingenious “cheat” satay sauce streamlines the process, requiring only three basic, widely available ingredients. This allows you to effortlessly achieve a rich, authentically nutty, and deeply satisfying peanut flavor in mere moments. The sheer simplicity means you’re always just minutes away from a truly delicious and impressive satay chicken experience, perfect for spontaneous cravings or planned dinners.
- Unbeatable Speed – Ready in 20 Minutes: From the very first ingredient prep to the last delectable bite, this entire meal miraculously comes together in under 20 minutes. It stands as the ultimate culinary solution for even the most demanding weeknights when you desperately need a wholesome, homemade dinner on the table without any fuss, lengthy cooking times, or stressful delays. This incredible speed makes it a prime candidate for a healthy, homemade alternative to expensive and often less nutritious takeout options.
- An Irresistible Family Favorite: This vibrant dish consistently wins rave reviews and converts even the most discerning and picky eaters into enthusiastic fans. The creamy, savory, and subtly sweet peanut sauce generously coats every strand of chewy Udon noodle and tender piece of chicken, creating an utterly irresistible flavor profile. It’s a fantastic, unintimidating way to introduce diverse Asian-inspired flavors to young palates and ensures everyone at the dinner table clears their plates.
- Effortless Vegetable Incorporation: Stir-fries are intrinsically brilliant vehicles for seamlessly incorporating a generous amount of fresh, wholesome vegetables into your daily diet. This recipe provides an incredibly simple and tantalizingly tasty method to significantly boost your daily nutrient intake, transforming healthy eating into an enjoyable, colorful, and utterly delicious endeavor for every family member, even the notorious “veg-haters.”
- Limitless Customization Potential: Consider this recipe less of a rigid formula and more of a flexible canvas awaiting your unique culinary artistry. Feel completely free to effortlessly swap out the suggested vegetables for your personal favorites, or brilliantly utilize whatever fresh produce you happen to have readily available in your refrigerator. Whether your preference leans towards crisp broccoli florets, sweet julienned carrots, earthy mushrooms, snappy green beans, or sweet sugar snap peas, this chicken satay stir fry is designed to adapt gracefully, allowing you to tailor it perfectly to suit your specific tastes and make it uniquely yours every single time.
Key Ingredients & Smart Substitutions for Your Perfect Stir Fry
Peanut Butter: The Creamy Heart of Your Satay Sauce
The undeniable foundation of our exceptionally quick satay sauce is, of course, peanut butter. You have the flexibility to choose between creamy or crunchy varieties, a decision that largely depends on your preferred textural experience. Opting for crunchy peanut butter will brilliantly introduce a delightful bit of bite and captivating texture to your sauce, profoundly enhancing the overall mouthfeel and dynamic layers of your stir fry. Conversely, for a supremely smoother, more uniform, and velvety sauce, creamy peanut butter is the quintessential choice. Whichever magnificent variety you ultimately select, it is paramount to ensure it’s a high-quality peanut butter, ideally one with minimal added sugars and undesirable hydrogenated oils, as this guarantees the purest and most balanced flavor profile for your culinary masterpiece.
Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce: The Essential Tang, Sweetness, and Subtle Kick
This particular ingredient is absolutely critical, so please pay exceptionally close attention! You unequivocally need authentic Thai sweet chilli sauce, and emphatically not a generic sweet and sour cooking sauce from a jar. Generic sweet and sour sauces are typically much weaker in flavor intensity, frequently contain distracting pineapple pieces, and sorely lack the distinctive sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy kick that singularly defines true Thai sweet chilli. This quintessential sauce is meticulously designed to be both wonderfully sweet and zesty, punctuated by just a whisper of warmth, and its smooth, perfectly syrupy consistency is utterly vital for achieving the desired rich texture of our satay sauce. If you cannot find a dedicated “Thai” sweet chilli sauce, look for brands that specify “Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce” rather than “Sweet and Sour.”
In the UK, highly regarded brands such as Blue Dragon Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce are consistently excellent choices. For those residing in South Africa, you can confidently seek out Wellington’s Sweet Chilli Sauce or Woolworth’s Sweet Chilli Sauce. The selection of the correct sweet chilli sauce genuinely makes all the difference in this recipe, so choosing wisely will infallibly ensure your stir fry achieves its full, authentic, and intended flavor profile along with the perfect, luscious consistency.
Soy Sauce: Balancing the Umami and Depth of Flavor
For optimal results and to achieve a beautifully balanced flavor in your satay sauce, light soy sauce is highly recommended as your primary and preferred choice. It consistently provides the necessary saltiness and a rich umami punch without overtly overpowering the delicate nuances of the other ingredients. However, if light soy sauce is not readily available in your pantry, dark soy sauce can be effectively used as a substitute. Just be acutely aware that dark soy sauce is inherently thicker, possesses a slightly sweeter undertone, and will undeniably imbue your sauce with a richer, darker hue. Interestingly, some home cooks might even discover they prefer the deeper color and more nuanced flavor that dark soy sauce gracefully imparts. For those adhering to a gluten-free diet, Tamari is an absolutely excellent, widely available choice that offers strikingly similar flavor notes without any wheat content, making it a perfect, inclusive alternative.
Quick-Cook Udon Noodles: The Chewy, Satisfying Foundation
These incredibly convenient, pre-cooked Udon noodles, frequently marketed and labeled as “straight-to-wok” noodles, are typically vacuum-packed and demand minimal preparation, making them a fantastic time-saver. We often gravitate towards Amoy Udon noodles for their consistent quality, delightful texture, and perfect, satisfying chew. Should Udon noodles prove elusive or simply not be your preference, don’t allow it to deter you! This particular recipe is remarkably adaptable. You can effortlessly substitute them with any other type of noodles you particularly enjoy or conveniently have in your pantry, such as versatile egg noodles, quick-cooking ramen noodles, delicate rice vermicelli, or even hearty fettuccine for an unexpected twist. Alternatively, for a completely different yet equally gratifying culinary experience, this delectable satay stir fry is magnificently delicious served over a fluffy bed of fragrant white rice, wholesome brown rice, or even lighter cauliflower rice for an excellent low-carb option, ensuring everyone can enjoy this flavorful dish.
Skinless Boneless Chicken: Your Lean Protein Choice
For the protein component of this recipe, skinless and boneless chicken breast stands as a fantastic, lean choice, offering a tender texture that beautifully absorbs the rich satay sauce. If your preference leans towards a slightly richer flavor and a noticeably juicier texture, boneless skinless chicken thighs are an absolutely excellent alternative, providing a bit more fat and moisture. For those seeking superb plant-based options, firm or extra-firm tofu or hearty tempeh, meticulously pressed to remove excess water and then cubed, can be effortlessly substituted to craft an equally delicious and satisfying vegetarian or vegan rendition of this stir fry. Simply pan-fry your chosen plant-based protein until golden and slightly crispy before adding to the stir fry.
Oil for Frying: Selecting Your High-Heat Hero
When embarking on the art of stir-frying, the selection of an oil with a suitably high smoke point is absolutely essential. This crucial detail prevents unpleasant burning and ensures your ingredients achieve beautifully even cooking and tantalizing caramelization. Feel completely free to utilize any cooking oil of your preference that is specifically suitable for high-heat applications, such as versatile vegetable oil, light sunflower oil, neutral canola oil, or even a robust light olive oil (though extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point and is not recommended). A subtle tropical note can also be gracefully imparted if you opt for coconut oil, should that delightful flavor profile appeal to your discerning palate.
Vibrant Vegetables: A Kaleidoscope of Color, Crunch, and Nutrients
In our rendition of this recipe, we’ve meticulously selected a colorful and textural combination of crisp red bell pepper, delicately sliced spring onions (also known as green onions), and tender mange tout (or snow peas). However, the inherent beauty and true magic of any stir fry lie profoundly in its incredible flexibility and adaptability. Do not hesitate to joyfully personalize this delightful dish by enthusiastically incorporating your absolute favorite stir-fry vegetables or brilliantly utilizing whatever fresh produce you happen to have eagerly awaiting its culinary moment in your refrigerator. Fantastic and highly recommended suggestions include thinly julienned carrots, tender broccoli florets, snappy green beans, earthy sliced mushrooms, sweet sugar snap peas, crunchy water chestnuts, or aromatic red onions. Unleash your inner culinary artist and assemble a vibrant medley of vegetables that not only tastes absolutely superb but also introduces a visually stunning spectrum of colors, intriguing textures, and a powerful boost of essential nutrients to your meal. Seasonal vegetables are always a brilliant choice for peak flavor and freshness.
Aromatic Flavorings: The Soulful Essence of Asian Cuisine
Fresh ginger and garlic are undeniably indispensable pillars in the vast and flavorful realm of Asian cooking, collectively providing a profoundly fragrant, pungent, and deeply aromatic base that unequivocally elevates the entire dish. Finely minced fresh ginger contributes a warm, subtly spicy zing and an invigorating freshness, while minced garlic introduces a robust, earthy, and aromatic depth that grounds the flavors. A judicious drizzle of toasted sesame oil, artfully added right at the culmination of the cooking process, masterfully ties all the individual flavors together, imparting a distinctive, irresistible nutty aroma that is profoundly characteristic of many authentic and beloved Asian stir-fries, making the dish truly sing.
Satay Chicken Stir Fry: A Quick Overview of Key Steps
This streamlined summary offers a brief, at-a-glance glimpse into the remarkable simplicity and efficiency of preparing this amazing dish. For comprehensive, step-by-step instructions with detailed timings and helpful tips, please refer to the complete recipe card meticulously laid out below.
- Begin your culinary journey by efficiently preparing all your ingredients: precisely slice the chicken into uniform strips, neatly dice the vibrant red bell pepper, gracefully halve the mange tout lengthwise, and finely chop the spring onions into appealing rings, ready for action.
- Whip up the undeniable star of the show – our lightning-quick satay sauce – by vigorously whisking together the creamy peanut butter, tangy Thai sweet chilli sauce, and savory soy sauce in a bowl until beautifully smooth. Set this aromatic concoction aside to allow its flavors to harmoniously meld.
- Concurrently, prepare the Udon noodles by carefully removing them from their packaging, placing them into a heatproof bowl, and generously covering them with freshly boiled water. Allow them to sit undisturbed for a few minutes to perfectly soften and gracefully separate.
- In a preheated large non-stick frying pan or wok, cook the seasoned chicken strips over medium-high heat until they achieve a beautiful golden hue on all sides and are thoroughly cooked through. Promptly remove the cooked chicken and keep it warm.
- To the same hot pan, add the fragrant minced garlic, spicy ginger, and your chosen vibrant vegetables. Stir-fry them briskly for just 2-3 minutes, aiming for that ideal tender-crisp texture that retains their natural crunch and color.
- Drain the softened Udon noodles thoroughly from the hot water.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Return the perfectly cooked chicken to the pan, rejoining the stir-fried vegetables. Then, pour in approximately three-quarters of your creamy peanut satay sauce. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are beautifully coated and heated through.
- Finally, toss in the drained Udon noodles and a generous splash of fragrant sesame oil. Mix everything gently yet effectively until the noodles are warmed through and completely enveloped in the rich, luscious sauce. Kitchen tongs prove invaluable for expertly tossing all the ingredients together in this step!
- Taste and adjust the sauce to your preferred consistency and flavor intensity, adding more of the remaining satay sauce if desired, ensuring it perfectly suits your palate.
- Serve this magnificent dish immediately in warm bowls, artfully garnished with extra chopped spring onion and a delightful sprinkle of crushed peanuts for an added layer of crunch, freshness, and visual appeal. Enjoy every mouthwatering bite!
Essential Tips for Achieving Stir Fry Mastery Every Time
Transforming your stir fry from good to absolutely phenomenal is remarkably simple with these expert tips and tricks:
Pre-Soak Your Udon Noodles for Optimal Texture and Separation
While many quick-cook Udon noodles are conveniently marketed as “straight-to-wok,” suggesting they can be tossed directly into the pan, our extensive experience has revealed that a little pre-soaking can make a significant and positive difference in the final outcome. We highly recommend placing the noodles in a heatproof bowl and generously covering them with freshly boiled water right at the beginning of your cooking process. This gentle pre-soaking step serves several crucial purposes: it helps to beautifully separate the individual strands of noodles, prevents them from clumping together, and softens them to a perfect al dente texture. This ensures they are wonderfully pliable and optimally prepared to evenly absorb every drop of the delicious satay sauce, making the final mixing a seamless and enjoyable part of the cooking process.
Never Overload Your Pan: The Golden Rule of Stir-Frying
This principle is arguably the single most crucial rule for achieving an authentic and truly successful stir fry. Overloading your pan or wok, no matter how tempting, will inevitably cause the cooking temperature to plummet drastically. Instead of achieving that desirable, high-heat stir-fry char, your ingredients will end up steaming in their own juices rather than frying. Steamed vegetables become disappointingly limp, losing their vibrant color and satisfying crunch, while chicken will fail to develop that coveted golden-brown sear and flavorful crust. If you are working with a smaller frying pan or, more commonly, if you are generously doubling the recipe, it is always best practice to fry your meat and vegetables in separate, manageable batches. Aim to cook a single layer of ingredients at a time to ensure everything cooks quickly, evenly, and develops that deliciously caramelized, stir-fried perfection.
Ensure Your Pan is Piping Hot Before Adding Ingredients
A properly and thoroughly heated pan, along with shimmering hot oil, is absolutely fundamental to the art and science of effective stir-frying. High heat is not merely a suggestion; it is a necessity for rapidly cooking the ingredients, expertly locking in their natural flavors, and preserving their delightful textures. Crucially, intense heat also plays a vital role in facilitating the Maillard reaction – the complex chemical process responsible for the irresistible browning, development of savory umami, and the complex flavors on your chicken and vegetables. A sizzling hot pan actively prevents food from stubbornly sticking to the surface and guarantees that signature, slightly charred, and deeply flavorful stir-fried taste that defines this beloved cooking method.
Cook Harder Vegetables First to Ensure Even Doneness
When incorporating a diverse array of vegetables into your stir fry, it is paramount to thoughtfully consider their varying cooking times to achieve uniform doneness. In the context of this specific recipe, the red bell peppers, tender mange tout, and delicate spring onions cook relatively quickly and can therefore be efficiently stir-fried together without issue. However, if you opt to use denser, harder vegetables such as crisp broccoli florets, thinly sliced carrots, crunchy green beans, or even cubed sweet potatoes, it is imperative to always start by adding these more robust ingredients to the pan first. Allow them a dedicated few minutes to partially soften and begin cooking before you introduce the quicker-cooking ingredients. This intelligent layering method ensures that all your vegetables reach a perfectly tender-crisp consistency simultaneously, preventing some from becoming overcooked while others remain raw.
Enhance Your Stir Fry: Creative & Delicious Serving Ideas
While this Satay Chicken Stir Fry is undoubtedly a complete and satisfying meal all on its own, a few thoughtful additions and garnishes can brilliantly elevate its flavors, introduce exciting textures, and enhance its overall presentation:
- Fresh Spring Onion Garnish: Always reserve some of the vibrant green ends from your spring onions. Finely chop them and scatter generously over the finished stir fry just before serving for an eye-catching pop of color and a delightful burst of fresh, oniony bite.
- A Kick of Heat: For those who genuinely appreciate an extra layer of warmth and spice, a judicious sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of rich, textural chilli crisp can add a delightful, fiery zest and an intriguing textural contrast.
- Crunchy Nutty Goodness: To significantly amplify the beloved peanut flavor and introduce an appealing, satisfying crunch, generously sprinkle some roughly chopped or crushed roasted peanuts over each individual serving.
- Bright Citrus Zest: A delicate squeeze of fresh lime juice or lemon juice, administered just before serving, can masterfully cut through the inherent richness of the satay sauce, imparting a wonderfully refreshing, zesty brightness that awakens the palate.
- Extra Freshness and Crispness: Consider gently tossing in a handful of fresh bean sprouts at the very tail end of the cooking process, or even as a simple, fresh garnish, for an invigorating layer of crispness and a mild, refreshing flavor contrast.
- Elegant Sesame Seeds: A light, artful dusting of toasted sesame seeds provides both an appealing visual elegance and a subtle, complementary nutty undertone that enhances the Asian flavor profile.
- Alternative Rice Base: While the chewy Udon noodles are undeniably fantastic, consider offering the satay chicken and vegetables served over a fragrant bed of fluffy Jasmine rice for a different, yet equally satisfying and comforting, culinary experience.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve Alongside Your Satay Stir Fry
Complement your vibrant main dish with these delightful and thoughtfully selected side options, each designed to enhance the overall dining experience:
- Cool Cucumber Salad: A refreshing, crisp cucumber salad, perhaps with a light rice vinegar dressing, offers a delightful and palate-cleansing contrast to the rich, savory satay sauce.
- Crispy Prawn Crackers: Light, airy, and wonderfully crunchy prawn crackers are a classic and addictive accompaniment, perfect for playfully scooping up any extra luscious sauce.
- Steamed Green Broccoli: Simple, perfectly steamed broccoli florets provide a healthy, vibrant green side that adds a touch of freshness and a mild earthy flavor.
- Tangy Mango Chilli Salad: A sweet, spicy, and tangy mango chilli salad introduces an exciting tropical and zesty counterpoint, adding brightness to the meal.
- Crunchy Asian Slaw: A vibrant, crunchy Asian slaw, tossed in a zesty sesame-ginger dressing, adds fantastic texture and a burst of refreshing flavors.
- Savory Potstickers: Serve alongside savory potstickers or dumplings, perhaps with our homemade Gyoza dipping sauce, for an irresistible appetizer or additional protein.
- Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls: Classic, crispy vegetable spring rolls offer a delightful fried element and an extra layer of vegetable goodness.
- Homemade Kale Chips: For a healthy, incredibly crunchy, and surprisingly addictive alternative to traditional chips, serve alongside a batch of homemade kale chips.
Storing & Reheating Your Delicious Leftover Stir Fry
Proper storage and thoughtful reheating methods are key to ensuring you can savor the delightful flavors of your Satay Chicken Stir Fry for days to come, minimizing waste and maximizing convenience:
Refrigeration: Any leftover chicken satay stir-fry can be safely and effectively stored in a clean, airtight container. Place it promptly in the refrigerator, where it will maintain its deliciousness for up to three days. This makes it an absolutely excellent and practical option for efficient meal prep throughout the week or for effortlessly quick and satisfying lunches.
Reheating: To reheat your stir fry, you have a couple of wonderfully convenient options. You can either use a microwave, ensuring it’s thoroughly heated through to a piping hot temperature, or transfer the stir fry back to a hot pan or wok with a small splash of water or chicken broth. Heat it gently, stirring occasionally to distribute the warmth evenly, until it’s steaming hot throughout. It is important to be mindful that the vegetables may predictably lose some of their original crispness upon reheating, becoming softer in texture since they are essentially undergoing a secondary cooking process.
Freezing: If you find yourself with a larger batch of leftovers that you won’t consume within three days, or if you simply wish to prepare meals well in advance, this stir fry freezes surprisingly well for up to three months. Store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container to prevent freezer burn and preserve its quality. To defrost, simply remove it from the freezer several hours before you plan to eat it, allowing it to thaw gradually in the refrigerator overnight or on the kitchen counter for a few hours. Once completely defrosted, follow the same reheating instructions mentioned above. As with refrigeration, expect the vegetables to be noticeably softer in texture after the freezing and reheating cycle.
Adapting This Stir Fry for a Gluten-Free Diet
Making this delightful stir fry completely gluten-free is a straightforward process, requiring only a few simple and effective substitutions to ensure everyone can enjoy its incredible flavors:
- Noodle Swap: The most crucial step is to replace traditional Udon noodles, which typically contain wheat, with certified gluten-free alternatives. Excellent choices include versatile rice noodles (such as vermicelli or flat rice noodles), wholesome sweet potato noodles, or even fresh zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carb option.
- Flavorful Rice Base: Alternatively, you can choose to serve the stir fry over a comforting bed of cooked rice. For the absolute best and most cohesive flavor experience, we wholeheartedly recommend adding the pre-cooked rice directly to the pan with the stir-fry ingredients towards the end of the cooking process. This ingenious method allows the rich, creamy, and savory satay sauce to thoroughly coat and infuse the rice with flavor, creating an incredibly delicious and beautifully integrated dish.
- Gluten-Free Soy Sauce: Ensure you specifically use a certified gluten-free soy sauce, such as Tamari, which offers an identical umami depth and savory profile without any wheat content. Always check the labels of your Thai sweet chilli sauce as well, as some brands may contain gluten.
Crafting a Satisfying Vegetarian Version of This Stir Fry
Transforming this vibrant recipe into a wonderfully satisfying vegetarian meal is incredibly easy and yields genuinely delicious results, ensuring that dietary preferences are happily accommodated:
- Emphasize Vegetables: The simplest and most direct approach is to entirely omit the chicken and, in its place, significantly increase the quantity or diversity of your favorite vegetables. The inherently flavorful satay sauce and the delightfully chewy Udon noodles, when combined with an abundance of fresh produce, already form the foundation of a fantastic and wholesome vegetarian stir fry.
- Tofu as a Robust Protein: For those desiring a hearty and protein-rich boost, incorporating fried firm or extra-firm tofu is an excellent choice. It is crucial to meticulously press the tofu to remove any excess water before cubing it and frying it until it achieves a beautiful golden hue and a slightly crispy exterior. This preparation creates a wonderful textural contrast within the stir fry and, crucially, ensures the tofu eagerly absorbs the delicious satay sauce. Other excellent plant-based protein alternatives include tempeh, edamame, or even a medley of robust mushrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Stir-Frying
What is the optimal order to add ingredients to a wok or frying pan for chicken stir fry?
Generally, for an ideal stir-frying outcome, the optimal order for adding ingredients is a crucial factor. First, begin by frying your protein (such as chicken strips) until it is almost fully cooked and has developed some color; then, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Next, introduce the harder, longer-cooking vegetables (e.g., broccoli stems, thinly sliced carrots, green beans) and stir-fry them for a few minutes to give them a head start. Following this, add the softer, quicker-cooking vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, leafy greens) along with your essential aromatics like minced garlic and ginger. Finally, return your partially cooked protein to the pan, incorporate any pre-cooked noodles or rice, and pour in your prepared sauce, tossing everything vigorously together until all components are thoroughly heated through and beautifully coated.
When should you add the garlic, ginger, and chili when stir-frying for best flavor?
Aromatics like finely minced garlic and grated fresh ginger (and fresh chili if you’re using it) are best added to the wok or frying pan just after the protein has been removed, or more commonly, when you begin the process of stir-frying the vegetables. They release their wonderfully fragrant oils and potent flavors remarkably quickly. It’s imperative to exercise caution and avoid adding them too early or cooking them for too long on intensely high heat, as they can burn very easily and develop an undesirable bitter taste. A swift sauté for approximately 30 seconds to a minute is typically sufficient to fully unlock their aromatic potential before the main vegetables are introduced to the pan, ensuring their flavor is bright and fresh.
Discover More Delectable Asian-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love
If you thoroughly enjoyed the rich flavors and effortless preparation of this Satay Chicken Stir Fry, we warmly invite you to explore these other fantastic and equally tempting Asian-inspired recipes from our collection:
Satay Chicken Stir Fry with Udon Noodles Recipe
This creamy Satay Chicken Stir Fry recipe with Udon noodles is the perfect solution for a quick, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal. Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish (including prep!), it’s ideally suited for busy weeknights, consistently loved by children and adults alike, and provides an effortlessly delicious way to pack in plenty of nutritious vegetables. With our ingeniously simple 3-ingredient satay sauce, you’ll achieve an incredible flavor punch with absolute minimal effort, making this a true weeknight champion.
Rating: ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars (based on 81 reviews)
Print Recipe
Ingredients
For the Quick Satay Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons authentic Thai sweet chilli sauce (please refer to key ingredient notes for important details)
- 4 tablespoons light soy sauce (or dark soy sauce for a deeper color and richer flavor)
For the Delicious Stir Fry:
- 300 grams quick-cook Udon noodles
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), sliced into even strips
- 1 teaspoon high-heat cooking oil (such as vegetable, sunflower, or canola oil)
- 2 medium red bell peppers, deseeded and diced into small cubes or strips
- 3 spring onions (green onions), sliced into thin rings
- 100 grams mange tout (snow peas), gracefully halved lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- Salt, to taste
- Optional garnishes: crushed roasted peanuts, additional chopped fresh spring onion
Units for ingredients are provided in Metric. Adjust as needed for US Customary measurement systems.
Instructions
Phase 1: Efficient Preparation
- 1. Chicken: Carefully slice the two chicken breasts into even, bite-sized strips, approximately ½ inch thick, ensuring consistent cooking.
- 2. Bell Peppers: Deseed and precisely slice the two red bell peppers into small, manageable cubes or thin, elegant strips.
- 3. Spring Onions: Slice the three spring onions into delicate rings, making sure to utilize both the white bulb section, the lighter green stalk, and some of the darker green tops for flavor and garnish.
- 4. Mange Tout: Gracefully halve the mange tout (snow peas) lengthways to ensure even cooking and an appealing presentation.
Phase 2: Crafting the Quick Satay Sauce
- 5. Mix Sauce: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the measured peanut butter, Thai sweet chilli sauce, and light soy sauce. Whisk vigorously and thoroughly until the mixture achieves a beautifully smooth, creamy, and uniformly blended consistency. Set this aromatic satay sauce aside, allowing the flavors to meld.
Phase 3: Preparing the Udon Noodles
- 6. Soak Noodles: Carefully remove the quick-cook Udon noodles from their packaging. Place them gently into a heatproof bowl and generously cover them completely with freshly boiled water. Allow them to sit undisturbed for a few minutes (typically 3-5 minutes) to perfectly soften and gracefully separate. Once pliable, drain them thoroughly.
Phase 4: Cooking the Chicken
- 7. Heat Pan & Add Chicken: Heat one teaspoon of your chosen oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers and is visibly hot. Add the raw chicken strips to the hot pan, ensuring you do not overcrowd it (cook in two batches if necessary to maintain high heat).
- 8. Season Chicken: Season the chicken strips lightly with salt to taste while they cook, enhancing their natural flavor.
- 9. Fry Chicken: Fry the chicken until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown color on all sides and is thoroughly cooked through, with no pink remaining in the center. Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a clean plate and set it aside, maintaining the pan on the heat at the same temperature.
Phase 5: Sautéing the Vegetables
- 10. Add Aromatics & Veg: Add the minced garlic and minced ginger to the same pan (no need for extra oil if there’s enough residual from the chicken). Immediately follow with the chopped red bell pepper, mange tout, and spring onions.
- 11. Stir-fry Vegetables: Stir-fry the vegetables briskly for approximately 2-3 minutes. The culinary objective here is for them to be tender-crisp – beautifully cooked but still retaining a pleasant, vibrant bite and their natural, appealing color.
Phase 6: Bringing All the Flavors Together
- 12. Combine Chicken & Veg: Reduce the heat to medium. Return the perfectly cooked chicken strips to the pan, rejoining the vibrant stir-fried vegetables.
- 13. Add Satay Sauce: Pour in roughly three-quarters of the prepared satay sauce. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring the chicken and vegetables are beautifully coated and the sauce is heated through and well integrated.
- 14. Introduce Noodles & Sesame Oil: Add the thoroughly drained Udon noodles to the pan, along with the fragrant tablespoon of toasted sesame oil.
- 15. Toss & Heat: Toss all the ingredients together with enthusiasm, ideally using kitchen tongs or two spatulas. Continue to gently fry and toss until the Udon noodles are fully heated through and evenly coated in the rich, luscious satay sauce.
- 16. Adjust Sauce: At this crucial point, taste the stir fry and adjust the sauce to your preferred consistency and flavor intensity. Add more of the remaining satay sauce if desired. The exact amount needed can vary based on the quantity of meat and vegetables you’ve used and your personal preference for sauciness.
- 17. Garnish & Serve: Dish the Satay Chicken Stir Fry generously into individual warm bowls. Garnish artfully with the reserved chopped spring onion and a delightful scattering of crushed roasted peanuts for an extra layer of flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Serve immediately and savor every mouthwatering bite!
**Nutritional Data Disclaimer**
Please be advised that the nutritional information provided below is an estimated calculation, typically generated by a third-party calculator. While we diligently strive to offer the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its absolute precision and therefore do not take responsibility for any potential errors or discrepancies that may be present. Furthermore, the nutritional value of this recipe may fluctuate significantly based on the specific brands, exact types, and precise quantities of ingredients used in your preparation. For personalized dietary advice tailored to your individual health needs and specific dietary requirements, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian.
Estimated Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories: | 773 kcal |
| Carbohydrates: | 82 g |
| Protein: | 48 g |
| Fat: | 31 g |
| Saturated Fat: | 5 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat: | 8 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat: | 13 g |
| Trans Fat: | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol: | 72 mg |
| Sodium: | 3404 mg |
| Potassium: | 1100 mg |
| Fiber: | 10 g |
| Sugar: | 34 g |
| Vitamin A: | 4483 IU |
| Vitamin C: | 188 mg |
| Calcium: | 79 mg |
| Iron: | 4 mg |
For essential food safety advice, including comprehensive guidance on food allergies and safe handling practices, please consult official food safety resources like Food.gov.uk.