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his was a really quick dinner! I rarely ever cook noodles but with 7 nights of guaranteed meals to experiment with lately without the interruption of that 2019 fad we called socialising, I’ve more time to test!

My fiancee said his stomach was happy after this meal so I think job done! One note for next time was perhaps to make a sticker glaze…

The recipe below is how I cooked it…I’ve listed a second option for a sticky glaze below that which is taken from this recipe (Sticky Soy and Sesame Pork) which would also work well with udon instead of rice.

If you want to make this vegetarian/vegan – toss in some tofu and mushrooms!

Serves 2 hungry people (or 2 with leftovers)

• 300g chicken breast diced (or 2 chicken breasts)
• 400g ready to eat udon noodles
• 1 red pepper, cubed
• Handful green beans, chopped in half
• Bunch spring onions (about 6), chopped
• 1 red chilli (I used birds eye), chopped
• 1 large knob ginger, chopped (the more ginger, the better if you’re a fan)
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp runny honey
• Handful coriander, chopped

1. Marinade the chicken in a large bowl with the ginger, garlic, chilli, soy, 1 tsp sesame oil and the honey and leave for about 30 minutes.
2. Heat a tsp of oil on a medium high heat in a large frying pan and gently fry the pepper and green beans for about 8 minutes until beginning to soften.
3. Next, add the chicken and its marinade and cook until the chicken is just cooked but don’t let it overcook or it’ll dry out. It doesn’t take long!
4. Meanwhile while the chicken is cooking, put the noodles into a bowl and pour over some boiling water to loosen the strands. Gently mix until the noodles come apart. Drain well and drizzle with the other tsp of sesame oil to keep them from sticking.
5. Once the chicken is a a few minutes away from being ready, add the spring onion and cook for the final few minutes.
6. Add the noodles and stir everything well making sure to coat them in the juices – add a splash more soy if needed.
7. Remove from the heat, sprinkle over the coriander and serve! You can even toss in some salted peanuts if you like.

Sticky Glaze option

• 1 heaped tsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp runny honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar

1. Marinade the chicken as above.
2. Combine the cornflour with about 2 tbsp cold water in a mug. Add the rest of the ingredients for the glaze and stir.
3. Cook the recipe above up to completing stage 5.
4. At this stage, add the sticky glaze and stir quickly well. If it gets too thick, add a splash of cold water and stir until smooth.
5. Add the noodles and coat everything well. Loosen with a touch of cold water or soy if needed.

Sprinkle over your coriander!