Mandarin Chicken With Noodles
A flavorful stir-fry combining tender chicken, crunchy celery, sweet mandarins, and savory noodles, finished with peanuts and tangy sweet and sour sauce—perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Stir fry bite-sized strips of chicken in oil until cooked through.
- Break up the oriental noodles.
- Add noodles to 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add chopped celery and minced garlic, then cover and simmer.
- Reduce heat and cook for 3-5 minutes until noodles and vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the chicken flavor packet, sweet and sour sauce, and chopped peanuts.
- Heat through until everything is well combined.
- Garnish with Mandarin oranges and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more intense flavor, consider marinating the chicken in soy sauce or ginger before cooking. If you don't have oriental noodles, you can substitute with rice noodles or even spaghetti for a different texture. Adding vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas can enhance the dish's color and nutrition. For a spicy kick, toss in some red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a side of steamed vegetables or a simple salad for a refreshing contrast. You can also serve it with additional Mandarin oranges on the side for a sweet touch. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside rice or a light soup, like Chinese Five Spice Split Pea Soup, to round out the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the Mandarin Chicken with Noodles in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, it's best to do so in a skillet over medium heat for even warming, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mandarin Chicken With Noodles contains roughly 172 calories, with 5g protein, 16g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (12% of the Daily Value), protein (10% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth when cooking the noodles for added flavor, and feel free to add more vegetables for a hearty meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).