If you are craving a comforting, flavor-packed meal that brings the best of Asian-inspired tastes right to your kitchen, this Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe is exactly what you need. It combines tender pieces of chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and a vibrant medley of veggies all smothered in a luscious honey sesame sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and tangy. This dish is not only a feast for the palate but also a convenient one-bake wonder you’ll want to add to your weekly dinner rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe plays an essential role in creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. From the tender chicken to the silky noodles and the punchy sauce, these simple components come together beautifully.
- Chicken breasts, 1 pound: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and juicy tenderness.
- Spaghetti noodles, 8 ounces uncooked: Provides a familiar, comforting base that soaks up the flavorful sauce.
- Frozen vegetable medley, 10.8 ounces: Adds vibrant color and nutrition; an Asian blend brings authentic flair.
- Chicken broth, 2 cups: Creates a savory liquid component to cook the noodles and deepen flavor.
- Soy sauce, ¼ cup: Delivers salty umami that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Honey, ¼ cup: Sweetens naturally while infusing the bake with a rich glaze.
- Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon: Enhances caramel notes in the sauce.
- Rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons: Adds a bright tang that lifts the overall taste.
- Sesame oil, 1 tablespoon: Imparts that unmistakable nutty aroma and flavor.
- Ground ginger, ½ teaspoon: Gives a warm, slightly spicy undertone.
- Minced garlic, 1 teaspoon: Boosts savory depth with aromatic punch.
- Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon: Thickens the sauce to cling deliciously to noodles and chicken.
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onion: For garnish, adding crunch and fresh color.
How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish
Begin by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it warms up, lightly spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This will keep everything from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Layer Noodles and Vegetables
Spread the uncooked spaghetti noodles evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Next, scatter the frozen vegetable medley right on top, creating a colorful and nutritious layer that will steam and soften beautifully during baking.
Step 3: Add Chicken
Place the chicken breast pieces over the noodles and vegetables. This layering method ensures all the flavors meld while the chicken cooks tenderly just above the medley.
Step 4: Prepare Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, and cornstarch until smooth. This sauce is the star of the Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe, delivering a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and savory with a silky texture.
Step 5: Pour Sauce Over Dish
Carefully pour the sauce mixture over the layered noodles, vegetables, and chicken breasts. Make sure the sauce is distributed evenly so every bite is full of flavor.
Step 6: Cover and Bake
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes to allow the noodles to cook through and the chicken to start getting tender.
Step 7: Stir and Bake Uncovered
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and gently stir the bake to loosen the noodles from the bottom. Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 20 minutes so the chicken fully cooks and the noodles reach perfect tenderness with a slight golden edge.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onion over the top for a burst of freshness and a lovely finishing touch that makes the dish visually irresistible.
How to Serve Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe
Garnishes
Besides sesame seeds and green onions, consider adding a drizzle of extra sesame oil or a few red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat. These small touches elevate the dish and make it look as amazing as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe pairs wonderfully with simple sides like steamed broccoli, a crunchy cucumber salad, or even some lightly pickled vegetables to brighten the meal and add contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this hot out of the baking dish for a cozy, family-style presentation, or plate it individually with a sprig of cilantro and a wedge of lime on the side for a restaurant-worthy touch. It’s fun to get creative and make it feel like a special occasion anytime!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. The Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe keeps well for up to 3 days and tastes even better as the flavors continue to meld.
Freezing
You can freeze this bake before cooking. Assemble it fully and cover tightly with foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or oven. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if needed to rehydrate the noodles and keep everything moist and tender, just like when freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use other types of noodles for this recipe?
Absolutely! While spaghetti works perfectly, you can use other pasta shapes like linguine, fettuccine, or even rice noodles. Just be mindful of cooking times and liquid amounts, as they may vary slightly.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can swap the chicken for tofu or a plant-based chicken substitute and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The sauce remains delicious and full of flavor without meat.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble the entire dish the night before and refrigerate it. When you’re ready, simply bake according to the instructions, adding a few extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
What can I use instead of frozen vegetables?
Fresh vegetables like broccoli florets, snap peas, julienned carrots, or bell peppers work great here. Just adjust the quantity so the dish maintains a good balance of ingredients.
How sticky or saucy is the final dish?
The bake has a lovely coating of sauce that clings to each noodle and piece of chicken but is not overly wet or soupy. The cornstarch thickens the sauce for a perfect honey sesame glaze throughout.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that I always reach for when I want big flavor and minimal fuss. Its comforting layers, incredible sauce, and easy preparation make it a fast favorite for weeknights and casual gatherings alike. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again!
Print
Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
This Honey Sesame Chicken Noodle Bake is a flavorful and easy-to-make casserole combining tender chicken, spaghetti noodles, and a vibrant Asian-style vegetable medley all smothered in a savory-sweet honey sesame sauce. Baked to perfection, it offers a delightful one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken and Noodles
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles, uncooked
- 1 (10.8-ounce) frozen vegetable medley (Asian medley recommended)
Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Garnish
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Noodles and Vegetables: Place the uncooked spaghetti noodles evenly at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Next, spread the frozen vegetable medley evenly over the noodles.
- Add Chicken: Arrange the chicken breast pieces on top of the layered noodles and vegetables, distributing them evenly.
- Prepare Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, thoroughly whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, and cornstarch until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour Sauce Over Dish: Carefully pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken, noodles, and vegetables in the baking dish.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the chicken to cook and noodles to start softening.
- Stir and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and gently stir the casserole to help loosen the noodles from the bottom. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked and the noodles are tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for garnish. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful honey sesame chicken noodle bake.
Notes
- Using an Asian vegetable medley enhances the dish with authentic flavors, but you can substitute with your favorite frozen mixed vegetables.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch to 1.5 tablespoons.
- Make sure to cut the chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free noodles.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
