Savory Tuesday : Easy spicy chicken and noodles

Back in college I survived on Ramen noodles and I remember telling myself once I started working I would never eat food of such low nutrition and superiority. Well, the other day at the grocery store I happened to come across Ramen noodles and had a culinary 'aha' moment.

I thought to myself,  if I used just the noodles minus the flavor packet and mixed them with vegetables and chicken or shrimp I would have a yummy dish. At that moment I bought 6 packets Ramen noodles with a smile on my face.
After making a delicious bowl of spicy noodles I don't look at Ramen noodles with disgust but with appreciation. Not only are they a cooks best friend because they are quick  and easy to cook , they can also be used as a base to fantastic noodle dishes.

Ingredients

2 packets Ramen noodles (discard flavor packets)

4 boneless chicken thighs cut into stripes

2 cups bok choy or broccoli

1/2 red pepper julienned

1 small carrot cut into thin slices

4 green onions sliced

1/4 small onion roughly chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

2 tsp minced fresh ginger

3 1/2 tsp Maesri chili paste with basil leaves. (use garlic chili paste if you cant find this one)

2 tsp pad Thai sauce 

1 1/2 tsp light soy sauce

1/2 tsp onion powder

olive oil 

Directions

• Start by cooking noodles per package instructions. Once noodle are cooked run them under cold water so they don't continue to cook and set aside.

• Prepare all the vegetables and season chicken strips with onion powder, soy sauce and 1 tsp of the chili paste.

• Make sure bok choy is washed thoroughly to remove any sand.

• Heat olive oil in a large wok or pan and saute onions, white part of green onions, ginger and carrots for about 2 minutes. Add garlic and remaining chili basil sauce and cook for 1 minute.

• Add chicken strips and cook for about 8 minutes , them add red peppers and green onions ends.

• Add bok choy and pad thai sauce and cook for 2 minutes until bok choy is wilted .

• Add noodles, then mix gently until noodles are coated with sauce and ingredients are combined.