Pan-fried noodles are arguably one of the quickest and easiest noodle dishes to whip up for a fuss-free meal. The key to making fantastic 10-minute pan-fried noodles lies in having all your ingredients prepared ahead of time and cooking everything together in a single hot wok or pan. With a bit of planning and coordination, you can enjoy restaurant-quality homemade pan-fried noodles in half the time it usually takes.
Mise en Place is the Key:
For pan-fried noodles, mise en place or having all your ingredients measured and ready to go before cooking is extremely important. Take 10 minutes before cooking to prep your ingredients like cutting protein into bite-sized pieces, slicing vegetables, measuring out sauces, and breaking noodles into a serving bowl. Doing this prep work upfront allows you to focus totally on cooking everything together quickly once your pan is hot without wasting time chopping and measuring during the cooking process. Some prep essentials for pan-fried noodles include:
- Protein (chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc.) sliced or diced
- Firm vegetables like carrots, cabbage, broccoli florets cut into small pieces
- Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil leaves are picked and Set aside
- Soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili sauce, sesame oil measured into small bowl or ramekin
- Cooked noodles broken into a large mixing bowl
Having all your prep done before you even turn on the heat is truly the secret to achieving restaurant-quality pan-fried noodles at home in a lightening quick 10 minutes.
How to Cook Lightning Fast Pan Fried Noodles
Now let us start the cooking process:
Step 1: Heat Up Your Wok or Pan
Set your largest wok or skillet over high heat to get it piping hot, about 5 minutes. For pan-fried noodles, you want a nice non-stick pan to ensure the ingredients don’t stick and crowd while cooking. Cast iron or carbon steel work best if properly seasoned but non-stick also does the job.
Step 2: Cook Your Protein
Add a tablespoon of oil to the hot wok. When shimmering, add diced protein of choice and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until cooked through and starting tobrown. For chicken or shrimp, make sure it’s no longer pink inside and slightly charred in spots. Remove protein to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Add Vegetables
Return the wok to heat. Add another tablespoon of oil and toss in sliced vegetables like carrots, cabbage, broccoli. Stir fry for 2 minutes, tossing frequently, until just tender-crisp. Set veggies aside with the protein.
Step 4: Prep the Noodles
Return wok to heat and add another splash of oil. Add chopped or broken noodles and let sit undisturbed 1 minute to develop a nice charred, crusty bottom. Toss and break up any clumps.
Step 5: Finish with Sauce and Toppings
Return protein and vegetables to the wok with noodles. Drizzle in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Toss to fully coat noodles. Remove from heat. Transfer noodles to a large serving bowl and garnish with fresh herbs and chili sauce. Toss again before enjoying!
Enjoy in Under 10 Minutes
With some prep and attention to timing each step, you can easily enjoy a gorgeous hearty bowl of pan fried noodles in under 10 minutes! The key is cooking the protein and vegetables separately first before combining with hot cooked noodles and finishing with flavorful sauces. Give this lightning fast noodle recipe a try for an easy weeknight meal that comes together in a flash.
Variations and Add-Ons
While simple pan fried noodles with chicken and veggies is delicious on its own, part of the beauty of this dish is how easily it can be customized. Here are few ideas to switch up flavors and textures:
Try Different Proteins
- Shrimp – Large shrimp peeled and deveined cooks up quickly.
- Beef – Thinly sliced steak cooks fast and adds tenderness.
- Pork – Diced pork belly or shoulder cooks crisp and meaty.
- Tofu – Firm or extra firm tofu, pressed and cubed, soaks up flavor well.
Add Hearty Veggies
- Mushrooms – Shiitake, oyster or button mushrooms add meaty umami.
- Bok choy – Whole leaves or chopped stems cook up tender-crisp.
- Carrots – Matchsticks or baby carrots jazz up color and crunch.
Use Diverse Noodles
- Yakisoba noodles – Thick wheat noodles have great chew and hold sauce.
- Soba – Buckwheat noodles add nutty flavor and fiber.
- Udon – Thick and chewy wheat noodles soak up sauce nicely.
Top with Fresh Herbs & Sauces
- Cilantro – Bright coriander lifts whole dish.
- Basil – Fresh Thai basil adds anise kick.
- Sambal – Spicy chile garlic sauce cranks heat.
- Hoisin – Sticky sweet sauce rounds out umami.
Get creative by mixing up proteins and vegetables according to your taste and what’s fresh. Play around with diverse noodles and sauces to keep pan fried noodles interesting and new every time. The combination possibilities are endless!
Nutrition Information
While pan fried noodles may seem indulgent or unhealthy, when prepared simply they can actually make for a balanced, nutritious dinner. Here is a nutritional breakdown of a typical homemade pan fried noodle dish:
- Calories: 500-600 calories
- Fat: 10-15g total fat
- Carbs: 75-100g total carbs
- Fiber: 5-10g fiber
- Protein: 20-30g protein
The protein and vegetables contribute lean protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals to the meal. Using whole wheat noodles increases fiber and nutrients over regular white noodles. Limiting added oils and sauces keeps fat and sodium in check. Overall, pan fried noodles are nutrient dense when balanced with lean protein, hearty veggies and whole grain noodles. For a satisfying, quick weeknight meal, pan fried noodles provide balanced nutrition alongside irresistible flavors.
Conclusion
Whether for a quick family dinner or busy weeknight meal, pan fried noodles are the perfect solution. With some pre-preparation and coordination, you can whip up a feast worthy of any restaurant in 10 minutes flat right at home. The beauty lies in keeping sauces, proteins and vegetables separate for flash cooking before combining everything together into a hearty, delicious bowl. With endless customization options for proteins, vegetables, noodles and toppings, pan fried noodles are incredibly versatile and fun to switch up regularly. Don’t be intimidated by the wok – with the right techniques, anyone can achieve spectacular pan-fried noodles every time. Most of all, enjoy this easy skillet sensation that comes together in minutes for a nourishing meal!