These cold peanut noodles are the perfect summer dish to make in the morning and enjoy in the evening! Noodles and veggies come together in a savory peanut sauce. 

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This time of year when the sun is out late, so are we!

And when we come home, usually dripping wet and hungry, with pool bags to unpack and showers to take, dinner is often the last thing I think about. Thus, I’ve been trying to prepare my dinners in the morning. While I have done some simple salad dinners lately and we always have Blue Apron on the rotation, I’ve been trying to make more cold salads to eat any time of day. 

Cold Peanut Noodles

This chilled peanut butter sauced noodle dish is great for a quick dinner after a day the pool or a summer evening soccer game. And it’s also so easy to pack for a picnic or lunch on the go! Noodles and veggies come together in a savory peanut sauce. As per usual, it’s really easy to make. 

Cold Peanut Noodles Recipe

This cold spicy peanut dish makes a great picnic food, since it’s very portable in a Tupperware and doesn’t need to be heated up. 

Ingredients

• 3 boneless chicken breasts
• 3/4 pound dried noodles, such as whole wheat spaghetti or soba noodles
• 2 cups loose packed carrots, green beans, zucchini (or similar summertime veggies)

For the sauce

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 clove/cube garlic, pressed
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1-2 pinches red pepper flakes
• 2-3 tbsp fresh herbs or scallions to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Begin by cooking some pasta. I used whole wheat spaghetti, but soba noodles would be great too!

Step 2: Blanch any veggies you are cooking

With two minutes left to go, add in whatever summery vegetables you like (or cook them with the chicken). Options include: peppers, zucchini, green beans, carrots.

Add the cooked pasta and veggies to a big bowl for mixing. 

Step 3: Cook chicken on the side

While the pasta cooks, cut the chicken into one-inch pieces and brown in a separate pan.

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Step 4: Prepare the sauce

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce with the following staples.

Heat the sauce on low until everything is melted and combined. You can also use a food processor to blend the sauce if heating is not an option. If the sauce is a little thick you can use cold water to thin it out just a bit. 

Step 5: Mix the pasta with the sauce and toss well

Step 6: Add the chicken and herbs

Step 7: Chill until ready to eat 

And chill until dinner time, whenever that may be! You can also totally enjoy hot if you’d like! Brighten the finish with a final squeeze of lime juice!

Recipe Notes

• If you prefer not use peanut butter, other nut butter substitutes work too! Try cashew or almond butter. 
• Top with a chili garlic sauce like sriracha! 
• Topping ideas: sesame seeds, thinly sliced cabbage, green onion, crushed peanuts, or crispy onions. 
• Use soba noodles, whole wheat spaghetti or angel hair, or simply any pasta you like! 
• Instead of chicken, try shrimp or flaked salmon or keep it vegetarian. 

More Pasta Salads