Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles (Easy 25-Minute Dinner)

Name: Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 oz rice noodles (or your favorite noodles); 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces); 2 tsp sesame oil; 7 oz coleslaw mix; 6 garlic cloves (minced); Green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish); ½ cup tamari sauce (or soy sauce); 3 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp chicken broth (or water); 1 tbsp chili oil (optional); ½ inch ginger (grated)

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These honey garlic chicken noodles are my answer to those nights when I need a quick dinner on the table that the whole family loves: chewy noodles, chicken, and veggies coated in an addicting honey garlic sauce, all in about 25 minutes.

The recipe is gluten free as written with rice noodles and tamari, but any noodles you have on hand will work. My kids ask for this one often, so it’s in heavy rotation at our house.

Bowl of honey garlic chicken noodles garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, with chopsticks holding a bundle of noodles. — *Photo: Loren Runion*

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe

I’ve found many honey garlic noodle recipes a bit too sweet for my taste, so this sauce uses just 2 tablespoons of honey – and I find that it’s the perfect amount. Sweet, savory, garlicky. That’s it!

It’s also super fast, which is my favorite kind of weeknight dinner. The noodles soak while the chicken cooks, the bag of coleslaw mix means the veggies are already prepped for you, and everything comes together in one skillet.

If quick noodle dinners are your thing like they are mine, my spicy gochujang noodles bring the Korean heat, and these easy Mongolian beef noodles are the beefy answer to another easy weeknight meal.

Ingredient Notes

Here are a few notes for our star ingredients. You’ll find the full ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below!

Honey garlic chicken noodle recipe ingredients arranged and labeled in bowls on a countertop.

Rice noodles: I used rice noodles since I’m mostly gluten free, but any other noodles will work – just make sure to cook them al dente first. If chewy rice noodles are your favorite part, my 30-minute chicken pad see ew puts them to work too.
Chicken thighs: I personally prefer chicken thighs over chicken breasts because I think they are more flavorful, but either one works.
Coleslaw mix: Using prepackaged coleslaw mix makes this recipe SO much quicker, but you can slice up your own cabbage and carrots, or use whatever veggies you have on hand. With the bag, there’s zero chopping. Win/win.
Garlic: Six cloves might sound like a lot, but it’s the garlic in honey garlic. Freshly minced is the way to go here.
Honey: Just 2 tablespoons sweetens the whole dish without tipping it into dessert territory.
Tamari sauce: This keeps the dish gluten free, but regular soy sauce works if that’s not a concern for you.

Recipe Variations

Make it sweeter. If you prefer your honey garlic sauce on the sweeter side, add 3-4 tablespoons of honey to the sauce instead of 2.
Change up the veggies. I’ve also made this with broccoli florets and bell pepper slices, and it turned out delicious. Use whatever is hanging out in your fridge.
Use your favorite noodles. Rice noodles, wheat noodles, even spaghetti! Just cook them 1 minute shy of the package instructions so they don’t get mushy in the sauce.
Swap the protein. Thinly sliced beef or shrimp should work with this sauce, though I haven’t tested either in this recipe so I can’t say for sure on timing.

Keeping things grain free? My paleo chicken lo mein is the yummiest dish without any grains at all.

How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles

Soaked and drained rice noodles in a white colander.

Honey garlic sauce ingredients whisked together in a small white bowl.

Step 1: Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 10 minutes while you cook the chicken. Drain and run them under cold water once done soaking – this stops the cooking so they stay chewy instead of mushy. If you are using another type of noodle, cook it 1 minute shy of package instructions and set aside.

Step 2: Whisk together all the ingredients for the honey garlic sauce in a bowl.

Raw chicken tossed with the honey garlic sauce in a glass bowl.

Chicken and coleslaw mix cooking in sesame oil in a large skillet with fresh garlic added.

Step 3: Add 2 tablespoons of the sauce to the chicken and toss to combine. This little step is the secret to chicken that’s flavorful all the way through, not just coated on the outside.

Step 4: Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, then add the chicken and cook until it’s no longer pink. Add the coleslaw mix and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage is wilted, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant.

Honey garlic chicken, noodles, and cabbage tossed with sauce in a large skillet until evenly coated, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Step 5: Add the sauce and the noodles, and toss everything together until the sauce is reduced and coats the noodles evenly. Serve warm, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

These noodles are a full meal in one skillet, but if you want to round out the table, my crispy rice paper dumplings make a yummy appetizer while the noodles come together.

Expert Tips

Cook the noodles al dente. They finish cooking in the skillet when you toss them with the sauce, so noodles that start out fully cooked will end up soft and mushy.
Have everything prepped before the skillet heats up. Once the chicken goes in, this recipe moves so fast and there’s no time to cut while cooking.
Don’t skip tossing the chicken with sauce first. Those 2 tablespoons season the chicken itself, so every bite tastes like honey garlic.
Let the sauce reduce. Give it a minute or two of tossing so it thickens and clings to the noodles.

Close-up of honey garlic chicken noodles garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Storage

To reheat: Warm in the microwave, or heat over medium heat on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the noodles.
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Honey garlic chicken noodles garnished with green onions and sesame seeds in a small bowl; ready to eat.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make honey garlic chicken noodles gluten free?

Yes – this recipe is gluten free as written! Just use rice noodles and tamari instead of wheat noodles and soy sauce, which is exactly how I make it.

What kind of noodles should I use?

Any noodles work for this recipe. I use rice noodles, but wheat noodles, ramen, or whatever you have in the pantry are all fair game – just cook them al dente first.

Is honey garlic sauce spicy?

Nope! It’s sweet, savory, and totally mild, which is probably why my kids keep asking for it. The chili oil is optional if you want some heat. If you’re after a noodle dish with a real kick, my spicy chili garlic noodles are SO good.