Saucy Gochujang Noodles with Chicken

Spicy, peanutty, noodley bit of super easy comfort food coming your way! These gochujang noodles require just a handful of pantry ingredients – like ramen noodles, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, and more – and come together in just 20 mins. Weeknight win!

Ingredients

Gochujang Sauce: 

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2–3 tablespoons gochujang sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1–2 cups broth or water for thinning the sauce

Ramen:

• 1 pound ground chicken (could also use pork)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 packets ramen or stir fry noodles (just the noodles)
• 1–2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup chives, scallions, cilantro, basil, or whatever herbs you like for topping
• salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon chili oil for finishing
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for finishing

Instructions

1. Whisk the sauce ingredients (except the extra broth) in a small bowl or shake together in a jar. It should form a thick sauce.
2. Cook the chicken in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. 
3. Boil the noodles for just a few minutes to soften. Drain and set aside.
4. When the chicken is done, add spinach, cooked noodles, and sauce to the pan, keeping it over medium high heat. Toss to combine; heat until the spinach is wilted. Add extra water or broth to thin the sauce, a little at a time, to get the sauciness that you like (I usually add about 1 1/2 cups total). 
5. Serve topped with fresh herbs, scallions, chili oil, sesame seeds, and whatever else you like.