Chicken Ramen is a tasty Japanese twist on the beloved ramen, using grilled chicken instead of the usual pork. This warm, comforting dish combines ramen noodles with chicken broth, vegetables, soy sauce, and simple seasonings. It's often topped with soft-boiled eggs and fresh greens.
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Perfect for lunch or dinner, especially on cold days, making Chicken Ramen at home is easy. All you need are some basic Asian ingredients. It's the perfect meal for when you're craving Asian flavors but want the comfort of dining in.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make Chicken Ramen, you'll need some common Asian pantry staples along with fresh produce. You can find these ingredients at most Asian markets. Let's take a look at what you'll need below.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken Breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for a lean, hearty addition to the soup.
- Chicken Broth or Stock: This gives a savory, meaty base and is rich in umami flavor.
- Ramen Noodles: Essential for their chewy texture and subtle nutty flavor, these noodles are a staple in this dish. To mix things up, try experimenting with different types of noodles like udon or soba. Each variety brings a unique texture and flavor, adding an interesting twist to your ramen.
- Vegetables: Incorporate bok choy, spinach, carrots, and mushrooms for a vibrant mix of fresh, crisp, and earthy flavors.
- Eggs: Soft-boiled eggs bring a creamy texture and rich flavor to the dish.
Sauces and Flavorings
- Dark and Light Soy Sauce: These provide a salty, savory depth and enrich the umami flavor of the soup.
- Sriracha Sauce or Other Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick to your Ramen.
- Aromatics: Garlic and ginger contribute a pungent, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor that's essential in many Asian dishes.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and a slight caramel flavor, balancing the other robust ingredients.
- Rice Vinegar: Introduces a tart and mildly sweet element to the soup. You can use rice vinegar or regular vinegar, depending on availability.
- Black Pepper and Chili Flakes: These spices add a spicy and slightly smoky flavor, making the soup even more comforting.
How to Make Chicken Ramen at Home?
Now, let's turn these ingredients into a delicious bowl of Chicken Ramen. I'll guide you through each step, so you can easily master this dish. We'll start by marinating and grilling the chicken, then move on to preparing the soup. Finally, we'll assemble everything into a satisfying meal. Let's get started!
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Homemade Chicken Ramen
Ingredients
For Marinating Chicken
- 1 tsp Ginger, finely chopped
- 2 tsp Garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha Sauce
- 1½ lb Chicken Breast, thinly sliced, boneless and skinless
For Grilling Chicken
- 2 tsp Oil
For Making Ramen
- 2 tsp Oil
- 1 tbsp Ginger, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Garlic, finely chopped
- ½ tsp Chili Flakes
- 2 cups Mushroom, sliced
- 1 Carrot, medium size, shaved using peeler
- Salt, to taste
- 5 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar, or regular vinegar
- 1½ tbsp Sriracha Sauce
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, or reduce for less spice
- 1 Bok Choy, leaves separated
- 3 disc Ramen Noodles
For Toppings
- 4 Soft Boiled Eggs
- Green Onions
- Chili Oil
Instructions
Marinating the Chicken
- In a glass bowl, mix together ginger, garlic, light and dark soy sauce, and sriracha sauce until well combined.
- Add the sliced chicken breast to the bowl and ensure it's fully coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the chicken marinate for at least 15 to 30 minutes. For an even richer flavor, you can let the chicken marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Grilling the Chicken
- Next, heat some oil in a grilling pan and add the marinated chicken breast. Don't overcrowd the pan to ensure better heat distribution and even cooking.
- Grill the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by the FDA, to ensure it's fully cooked.
- Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and cover it with foil. Set it aside for later use as a topping for your ramen.
Preparing Chicken Ramen
- In a wide pot over medium heat, add oil along with ginger, garlic, and chili flakes. Sauté these ingredients until they become fragrant, releasing their rich aromas.
- Add the mushrooms and carrots, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and continue to sauté until they are slightly soft yet tender.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add light and dark soy sauces, sriracha sauce, black pepper, and brown sugar. Stir well to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
- Bring the broth and vegetable mixture to a boil and let it cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add the bok choy to the pot and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the leaves are tender but still vibrant. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary.
- Finally, add the ramen noodles and let them cook for about 3 minutes. Ramen noodles cook quickly, so avoid leaving them in the broth for too long to prevent them from becoming mushy.
- Once the ramen noodles are soft, remove the soup mixture from the heat. Your Chicken Ramen is now ready to be served!
Serving
- Fill a serving bowl with the soup mixture, including the vegetables and ramen noodles. Top it with slices of grilled chicken, a soft-boiled egg, and a drizzle of chili oil. This dish makes a perfect filling meal on its own for both lunch and dinner. For more ideas, check out our Serving Suggestions section below.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Ramen: Opt for ramen noodles that cook quickly, typically in about 3 minutes. Be sure to follow the package instructions to avoid overcooking, which can lead to mushy noodles.
- Chicken and Marinade: Season the chicken with aromatics and sauce for deliciously flavored grilling. You can also use your favorite seasoning blends like Cajun, taco, or fajita for a spicy kick, and cook your chicken by grilling, baking, or air frying.
- Simmering the Broth: Don't skip simmering the broth with veggies and sauces; this crucial step infuses all the flavors together and enhances the overall taste of your ramen.
- Soft-Boiled Eggs: A classic topping for ramen is soft-boiled eggs. Boil eggs for 7 to 9 minutes for a soft yolk or about 5 minutes for a runny yolk, depending on your preference.
- Salt Caution: Be mindful with salt as the broth and Asian sauces may already be sufficiently salty. Always taste before adding more.
- Toppings: Assemble your ramen bowl with the broth, noodles, veggies, and sliced grilled chicken. Add a soft-boiled egg and enhance with toppings like green onions, seaweed, and a drizzle of chili oil or hot sauce for the ultimate comforting meal.
- Proteins: Although this recipe highlights chicken, feel free to experiment with other proteins such as pork, beef, or seafood like shrimp for varied flavors.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: For a vegetarian version, use a hearty vegetable broth and replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh. This not only caters to vegetarians but also adds a different texture to the dish.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for more? Check out our collection of comforting soups and stews including chicken soups, hearty comfort food recipes, and beloved Asian dishes. Explore these flavors and discover your next favorite meal!
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Ramen pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. Here are some of my personal favorites to enhance your meal:
- Vegetable Sides: Enhance your meal with steamed or roasted broccoli, carrots, or bok choy. These healthy, flavorful additions perfectly complement the ramen.
- Egg: Adding a soft-boiled or hard-boiled egg can boost the protein content and richness of the dish.
- Protein Options: For an extra protein kick, consider adding shrimp or crispy baked tofu. You can also replace the grilled chicken with baked chicken breast.
- Side Dishes: Pair your ramen with edamame, a crisp side salad, fried rice, or gyoza (dumplings) to round out your meal.
- Spicy Condiments: Offer chili oil or a spicy miso paste on the side, allowing each person to customize their bowl according to their heat preference.
Storage Suggestions
Chicken Ramen is best served warm for maximum flavor. If you have leftovers, it's best to store the soup and noodles in separate containers. This way, they'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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