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Chicken Yakisoba

Chicken Yakisoba

Chicken Yakisoba is a quick, easy, and flavorful Japanese stir-fry dish loaded with tender chicken, chewy wheat noodles, and fresh, crunchy vegetables tossed in a savory soy-based sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this colorful and family-friendly meal brings the taste of Japanese street food right to your table in under 30 minutes, with versatile ingredient options to suit different diets and preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, sliced into thin strips

Noodles

  • 200g yakisoba noodles (or thin wheat noodles/ramen/spaghetti as substitute)

Vegetables

  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup julienned carrots
  • 3 green onions, chopped

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons yakisoba sauce (a mix of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and a pinch of sugar)

Oils & Aromatics

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the chicken into thin strips for quick cooking. Shred the cabbage finely, julienne the carrots, and chop the green onions. Mince the ginger and garlic if using, to add aromatic depth to the dish.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook about 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside, keeping it warm.
  3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add more oil to the pan if needed. Stir-fry carrots and cabbage for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften but remain crunchy. Add green onions, garlic, and ginger and cook an additional minute, stirring frequently.
  4. Add Noodles and Sauce: If necessary, cook yakisoba noodles according to package instructions, then add them to the pan with vegetables. Return chicken to pan, pour sauce evenly, and toss to coat everything thoroughly, heating through.
  5. Final Toss and Serve: Stir all ingredients together well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while hot, optionally garnished with toasted sesame seeds or pickled ginger.

Notes

  • Use high heat to keep vegetables crisp and chicken juicy during stir-fry.
  • Don’t overcook noodles to avoid mushiness; soften just until pliable.
  • Make your own yakisoba sauce using Worcestershire, soy sauce, ketchup, and sugar for authentic flavor.
  • Prepare all ingredients before cooking to ensure smooth workflow.
  • Add garnishes like fresh green onions or pickled ginger just before serving for freshness.
  • Variations include vegetarian (tofu or mushrooms), seafood (shrimp or squid), gluten-free (gluten-free noodles and tamari sauce), and spicy options (chili flakes or sriracha).
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen up to 1 month; reheat gently with splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Yakisoba, Japanese stir-fry, quick dinner, yakisoba noodles, easy Asian recipe, weeknight meal