If you’re craving something that hits all the right notes—spicy, savory, and downright comforting—then this Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this dish balances a rich, flavorful broth with tender chicken and that perfect spicy kick. Whether it’s a chilly night or you just want a quick, satisfying meal, you’ll find this recipe to be a total game-changer in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor-Packed Broth: The blend of soy, chili garlic sauce, and sake creates deep, complex flavors.
- Customizable Heat: You can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste buds.
- Family Favorite: Everyone from picky kids to spice lovers goes crazy for this ramen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here all come together beautifully to build that iconic ramen experience at home. I always recommend grabbing good quality chicken stock and fresh aromatics, as they really make the difference in flavor.
- Fresh ginger: Minced to bring a bright, slightly spicy warmth that balances the broth.
- Garlic cloves: Minced for that essential depth of flavor in the base.
- Butter: Using butter instead of oil adds richness to the sauté.
- Chicken stock (low sodium): The base of your soup; low sodium helps control salt levels.
- Soy sauce: Adds umami and saltiness—opt for a good quality brand.
- Chili garlic sauce: This is your main spicy element; you can swap for Sriracha if needed.
- Brown sugar: Balances the heat and adds a subtle caramel note.
- Sake (or dry white wine): Adds depth and a slight sweetness—don’t skip this!
- Rice vinegar: Cuts through the richness with a bit of tang.
- Ramen noodles (without seasoning packets): Fresh or dried, just cook as package directs.
- Cooked chicken: Shredded or chopped; leftover rotisserie chicken works great here.
- Ramen eggs (optional): Those soft-boiled, marinated eggs add the perfect finishing touch.
- Green onions: Adds freshness and a mild onion kick as garnish.
- Sesame oil: A finishing drizzle brings nutty aroma and complexity.
Variations
I love that this Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe is super versatile—it’s easy to tweak it based on what you have or how adventurous you’re feeling. Here are a few of my favorite ways to switch it up.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the chicken and swap chicken stock for shiitake mushroom broth; add tofu for protein.
- Extra spicy: Double the chili garlic sauce and toss in fresh sliced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne.
- Rich and creamy: Stir in a spoonful of miso paste or a splash of coconut milk to the broth.
- Loaded toppings: Add roasted corn, bamboo shoots, or bok choy for more texture and flavor.
How to Make Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics for Maximum Flavor
Start by heating the butter over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Once melted, toss in your minced garlic and ginger. I like to keep a close eye on this step because it can go from golden to burnt quickly. After about 2-3 minutes, you’ll notice the lovely aroma fill your kitchen and the garlic turning a light golden brown—that’s your green light to move on.
Step 2: Build and Simmer the Broth
Pour in the chicken stock, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, brown sugar, sake, and rice vinegar. Give everything a good stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for about 5 minutes so those flavors meld beautifully. I like to use this time to prep my noodles or chop green onions.
Step 3: Cook Your Ramen Noodles
While the broth simmers, cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions—but here’s a pro tip: don’t use the seasoning packets that come with the noodles. They tend to be overly salty and unnecessary here. Once cooked, drain the noodles well and divide them evenly between your serving bowls.
Step 4: Assemble and Garnish
Ladle that perfectly spiced broth over the noodles, making sure everyone gets a good mix of that chili-garlic goodness. Top with your shredded chicken, chopped green onions, and if you’re feeling fancy, one of those ramen eggs. Finally, a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds or sriracha will take your bowl from great to unforgettable. Trust me, these finishing touches make all the difference.
Pro Tips for Making Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe
- Control Your Spice: Start with less chili garlic sauce, then add more to your bowl if you want extra heat.
- Use Leftover Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works wonders and saves time.
- Don’t Skip the Sake: It deepens the flavor more than you’d expect—worth picking up a bottle.
- Avoid Soggy Noodles: Drain well and serve immediately after adding broth so noodles don’t get mushy.
How to Serve Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe
Garnishes
For me, green onions are a must—they add freshness and a bit of crunch. I also love sprinkling toasted sesame seeds for subtle nuttiness and adding a drizzle of sesame oil right before serving for that irresistible aroma. If you like it extra spicy, a few squirts of sriracha on top never hurt anyone.
Side Dishes
Pair this spicy chicken ramen with simple sides like steamed edamame or a crisp cucumber salad to balance the heat. Sometimes I make a quick batch of pickled radishes on the side to add some tang and crunch that complements the rich broth perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
One fun trick I’ve tried is serving ramen in individual soup bowls with a handful of colorful garnishes lined up on the side—like sliced nori, bean sprouts, and chopped cilantro—so everyone can customize their bowl. It’s a great way to make a casual dinner feel like a special occasion.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep the broth separate from the noodles and chicken when storing leftovers. That way, when you’re ready to eat, the noodles won’t get too soggy. Store each component in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
The broth freezes really well, so I recommend portioning it out into freezer-safe containers. Just avoid freezing the noodles or chicken separately, as their textures don’t hold up as nicely after thawing. This way, you can quickly reheat the broth whenever ramen cravings hit.
Reheating
Reheat the broth gently on the stove until steaming hot. Warm the chicken separately if needed, then combine fresh cooked noodles with the hot broth and chicken just before serving. This method keeps everything tasting fresh and prevents overcooked noodles.
FAQs
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Can I make this Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the chicken stock for a hearty mushroom or vegetable broth, and replace the chicken with tofu or extra veggies like shiitake mushrooms and bok choy. The chili garlic sauce still packs a flavorful punch without the meat.
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What type of ramen noodles should I use?
I recommend using fresh or dried ramen noodles without seasoning packets. This way, you control the flavor and sodium content of your soup. If you can find fresh noodles at an Asian market, even better! Otherwise, standard dried noodles work fine.
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How spicy is this recipe?
The spice level is medium by default—warm and lively but not overpowering. You can adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce to your liking, or add sriracha and fresh chilies for extra heat.
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Can I prepare the ramen eggs ahead of time?
Yes! Ramen eggs are fantastic made a day or two ahead. Let the soft-boiled eggs marinate in a soy and mirin mixture overnight in the fridge for best flavor and texture.
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What if I don’t have sake?
If you can’t find sake, a dry white wine is an excellent substitute and will give you similar depth. You could also simply omit it, but the broth won’t have quite the same complexity.
Final Thoughts
This Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe has become my go-to for a quick, soulful meal that never fails to impress. I love how approachable it is to make yet feels like a cozy restaurant bowl right at home. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s full of flavor, simple to pull together, and totally customizable, this one’s a winner. Give it a try—you’re going to love how it warms both your belly and your heart.
Print
Spicy Chicken Ramen Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
This Spicy Chicken Ramen features a rich, flavorful broth made with ginger, garlic, and chili garlic sauce, combined with tender cooked chicken and perfectly cooked ramen noodles. Topped with green onions, a ramen egg, and a drizzle of sesame oil, this comforting dish is ready in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Broth Ingredients
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 8 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chili garlic sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sake (substitute dry white wine)
- 1/8 cup rice vinegar
Main Ingredients
- 4 packages ramen noodles (without seasoning packets)
- 3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 6 ramen eggs (optional)
- 1 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for finishing)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat the butter in a Dutch oven or a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing until they start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, which builds the base flavor of the broth.
- Make the broth: Pour in the chicken stock, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, brown sugar, sake, and rice vinegar. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it gently simmer for 5 minutes to allow all flavors to meld together.
- Cook the noodles: While the broth simmers, cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, omitting the seasoning packets. Once cooked, drain the noodles thoroughly.
- Assemble the ramen bowls: Divide the drained noodles evenly into six bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles to cover them well.
- Add toppings: Top each bowl with shredded cooked chicken, a generous sprinkle of chopped green onions, and a ramen egg if using. Finish each bowl with a drizzle of sesame oil and, if desired, sprinkle sesame seeds and add a splash of sriracha for extra heat.
Notes
- This spicy chicken ramen offers a flavorful and warming meal that combines tender chicken, rich broth, and classic ramen toppings.
- The recipe can be ready in under 20 minutes, making it a perfect quick dinner option.
- Using low sodium chicken stock allows better control over the saltiness of the final dish.
- Ramen eggs are optional but add richness and authenticity; they can be prepared in advance.
- For a spicier kick, add extra chili garlic sauce or sriracha according to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 594 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 2740 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 199 mg
