Peanut Soba Noodles with Chicken
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Sep. 25, 2025
I whip up these peanut soba noodles with chicken when I need a no-fuss meal that my whole family loves. The flavors are bold, the textures are crisp and creamy, and it takes just minutes to put together.
In This Article
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What is Soba?
Soba is a traditional Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour, known for its nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture. Soba comes in different colors depending on the process of how it’s made. Lighter colored soba usually contains more wheat flour, while darker varieties have a higher percentage of buckwheat, giving them a richer, earthier taste.
Amy’s Notes
These Peanut Soba Noodles with Chicken is my go-to I’m craving savory and satisfying Asian dishes. Here’s why it stays on repeat around here:
- Creamy, Bold Sauce: The peanut sauce is smooth, nutty, and full of umami with just a touch of heat from the Sriracha.
- Quick and Easy: The sauce comes together in minutes on the stovetop. Dinner’s done before you know it, like our Soba Noodles with Shrimp and Lime Cilantro.
- Great for Meal Prep: Everything can be prepped ahead of time. I often make the sauce the night before and toss everything together when we’re ready to eat.
- Perfect at Room Temp: It holds up beautifully without needing to be reheated. Whether we’re packing lunches or eating dinner on the patio, this dish always works, just like our Thai Peanut Noodles.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Peanut Butter & Tamari – This savory base creates a creamy, umami-packed sauce with a hint of sweetness and bold depth.
- Rice Vinegar & Sesame Oil – The vinegar adds brightness while toasted sesame oil infuses the dish with rich, nutty flavor.
- Garlic, Ginger & Sriracha – Fresh garlic and ginger bring punchy aromatics, while Sriracha adds a customizable kick of heat.
- Soba Noodles – These thin buckwheat noodles provide a tender, earthy base that soaks up every bit of that flavorful sauce.
- Chicken & Veggies – Shredded chicken, crisp cucumbers, carrots, and scallions make it a refreshing, protein-packed meal.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Vegetable Swaps: Shredded carrots and cucumbers add texture and freshness, but thinly sliced bell peppers, edamame, or cabbage are great substitutes. Use what you have on hand.
- Protein Add-ins: Rotisserie chicken makes this easy, but any cooked shredded chicken works. Try tofu, sautéed shrimp, or omit the protein entirely for a vegetarian version.
- Sauce Adjustments: Add more or less Sriracha depending on your spice preference. For a thinner consistency, stir in extra broth before tossing with the noodles.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Whisk peanut sauce ingredients over low heat until smooth.
- Boil soba noodles, then rinse in cold water and drain.
- Toss noodles with sesame oil.
- Combine noodles with chicken, cucumber, carrot, and scallions.
- Add peanut sauce.
- Toss and serve with garnishes.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make Sauce in Advance: The peanut sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store it covered in the fridge and reheat gently over low heat before using. If it thickens too much, thin it with a bit of broth until smooth and pourable.
- Prep the Chicken and Veggies Early: You can shred rotisserie chicken and prep the carrots, scallions, and cucumbers a day or two ahead. Store everything in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Entirely Assemble Ahead: This dish can also be assembled the night before serving. We recommend tossing sliced cucumbers in right before serving.
What To Serve with Soba Noodles
Asian Starters
- Start the meal with classic appetizers like Asian Dumplings (Potstickers) or a fresh Asian Chopped Salad for a light, crunchy contrast.
- Asian Cucumber Salad is another great option that adds a refreshing, tangy bite to balance the rich peanut sauce.
Vegetables and Stir Fried Sides
- Serve these noodles with easy veggie sides like Perfect Air Fryer Broccoli or Garlic Butter Mushrooms for a quick, satisfying plate.
- They also go great with Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry if you’re looking to add another hearty main.
Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Peanut Soba Noodles with Chicken
This Peanut Soba Noodles with Chicken dish is an easy dinner that's packed with protein and flavor.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup peanut butter, smooth and creamy
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup tamari sauce, or soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar, Asian seasoned
- ¼ cup chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 4 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons sriracha, or more to taste
For the Noodles:
- ½ lb soba noodles, dry, see notes
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 cup English cucumbers, cut into matchsticks, or baby cucumbers
- ½ cup carrot, finely shredded
- ¼ cup scallion, freshly chopped
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
Optional Garnishes:
- lime wedges
- sesame seeds, toasted
- roasted peanuts, chopped, or cashew
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan set over low heat, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce just until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse well in cold water to remove excess starch.
- Transfer drained noodles into large serving bowl. Toss 2 TB sesame oil with noodles to coat.
- Add peanut sauce, cucumber, garlic, carrots, garlic, scallions, and shredded chicken to the noodles. Toss well.
- Divide into serving plates, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soba noodle brands can range in color from tan to browner to more gray.
- Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh and immediately after preparing.
- If you’d like to make the sauce ahead of time, it can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. It may thicken in the fridge, so you may need to thin it out as needed: over a low simmer, pour in enough chicken or vegetable broth to thin sauce enough for tossing with noodles.
- Vegetables can be sliced and chicken can be shredded a day or two ahead. Entire dish can be assembled the night before serving (we recommend tossing sliced cucumbers in right before serving.)
- In lieu of rotisserie chicken, boil 2-3 chicken breasts or thighs in salted water until cooked through; shred the cooked chicken.
- English or baby cucumbers have very small, edible seeds. If you use regular cucumbers, seed them first.
- This recipe is part of our Japanese Recipes Collection.
- Serve these noodles with easy veggie sides like Perfect Air Fryer Broccoli or Garlic Butter Mushrooms for a quick, satisfying meal.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 890mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2683IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of noodles should I use?
Traditional soba noodles are best for this recipe. They’re made with buckwheat and have a nutty flavor that pairs well with the sauce. Look for them in the Asian section of your grocery store.
Can I use other kinds of noodles?
If you can’t find soba, you can use angel hair pasta or spaghetti in a pinch,
Is this dish served hot or cold?
It’s best served fresh and at room temperature. The sauce clings to the noodles better and the veggies keep their crunch.
How long do leftovers keep?
This dish is best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the noodles may absorb the sauce and thicken over time, so give them a toss with a bit of extra sesame oil or broth before serving.
More to Cook and Eat
- Homestyle Chicken Chow Mein Noodles – Make your own healthy and flavorful chicken chow mein with vegetables at home. Perfect for meal prep.
- Chinese Fried Rice – Tastier than takeout, this Chinese fried rice recipe is a healthy, customizable dish that’s perfect on any night of the week.
- Asian Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas – This simple shrimp stir fry is an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe all your guests will adore.
- Easy Dan-Dan Noodles – This Dan Dan Noodles recipe is unbelievably easy and so deliciously savory, sweet, garlicky, with a subtle kick.