This is how we’ve been spending our summer afternoons, which often turn quickly into evening:
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 crockpot meals lately, it’s just a bit too hot for that, so I’ve been trying to make more cold salads.
This chilled peanut butter sauced noodle dish is great for a quick dinner after the pool or a soccer game. I’ve had it three times this week!
As per usual, it’s really easy to make. Begin by cooking some pasta. I used whole wheat spaghetti, but soba noodles would be great too!
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. I used Dragon’s Tongue beans from my garden!
While the pasta cooks, cut the chicken into one-inch pieces and brown in a separate pan.
Meanwhile, prepare the sauce with the following staples. I love to use these cubes of frozen garlic and ginger if I am making a sauce or soup.
Heat the sauce on low until everything is melted and combined, and then toss into pasta.
Add the chicken and herbs…
And chill until dinner time, whenever that may be!
This dish also makes a great picnic food, since it’s very portable in a Tupperware and doesn’t need to be heated up. I took some to Sarah’s for our swim date this week and we all had noodles with dinner!
Cold Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 pound dried noodles such as whole wheat spaghetti or soba
- 2 cups loosely packed beans or other veggies
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 clove/cube garlic pressed
- 1 tsp/cube 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 to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper and cut into one-inch pieces.
- Cook chicken in olive oil until cooked through and brown. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to directions, adding any vegetables like the beans in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain.
- To make sauce, combine remaining ingredients in a sauce pan and heat and stir until well mixed.
- Pour onto noodles and toss well to combine.
- Add minced herbs
- Store noodles in the fridge and serve chilled.
When dinner is already made, you have more time for summer fun — and nose kisses!
Carrie this fit chick says
Ive actually never made a cold salad for a main! I recently made a watermelon, jicama, mint and feta salad, which was pretty tasty! Going to save this recipe!
Lane says
The frozen garlic cubes are THE BEST!!! I have 4 containers right now in my freezer!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I love peanut sauce with noodles! It’s one of my favourites!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Sam Vander Wielen says
Those peanut noodles sound amazing! Such a great summer dish. And I love your bathing suit! So so cute!
https://samvanderwielen.com
Linda @ the Fitty says
OMG PEANUT NOODLES. Add some lime and BAM, i call it pad thai 😉
Kelly says
ya’ll are so cute!
Jennifer says
Do you still use the Smartbowl? Wondering how you like them.
KathEats says
Yeah! Not as much for cooking whole meals, but I use them a lot to reheat leftovers or cook a side of vegetables : )
Nikki says
I think that last picture is the MOST ADORABLE one of you and Mazen I’ve seen :). Happy Friday!!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This sounds AMAZING and super easy! I’m adding it to my list of post-baby eats once he or she arrives!
Kim says
Do you find the garlic and ginger cubes in the freezer section then? Next to the frozen vegetables? I’ve never seen these! I have a feeling I’d use them all the time!
KathEats says
Yes that’s where they are! SO convenient. I would use fresh in something that wasn’t saucy or getting cooked down, but since they will disappear in these type of dishes, they are the best!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Where did that raft come from ???? I need a giant raft like that!
KathEats says
Sarah found it! It’s great because it easily holds two people
Mary | Momma Be Fit says
That’s a cute bathing suit and adorable picture with your son. The noodle salad sounds delicious. It’s been way too hot here for anything besides cold meals lately.
Megan Roberts says
Yum! In case you ever need to adapt for allergies (picnic or school potluck) these work great with sun butter. ? another nice addition is grated or spiraled carrots.
KathEats says
I have done a similar noodle with sunbutter and enjoyed it!! So yes, I think it would work. Sunbutter is a bit sweeter, but I think the recipe would translate well.
Molly says
The peanut butter doesn’t get clumpy right (I’m assuming you used natural pb..?)
I’m gonna make this for a picnic this weekend (in Canada we get July 3rd off because July 1 is Canada Day)
KathEats says
The low heat should dissolve the clumps!
Kim says
It looks good. There are ginger and garlic in your picture but not the recipe. Do you know the amounts for those?
KathEats says
D’oh!!!
1 clove/cube garlic, pressed
1 tsp/cube ginger, minced
carolyne says
Son – mom bonding time on a summer season. Great. this how the great connection starts as family time is always very crucial while raising a child. Keep mum thats the only way you can bring up your child. Showing full love. The recipes and food well displayed and appetizing.
Audrey says
That dish looks great! I love cold noodles, like soba noodles. I’ll have to give this one a try! Also, that photo of you and Mazen is so cute.
https://jonandaudadventure.wordpress.com/
Catherine Beach says
I often use a very similar recipe but sub tahini for peanut butter to make it nut-free!
Melissa says
These noodles sound great and I’ve always been interesting in making a peanut sauce; the combination of ingredients sounds like it would be incredible!
Sandra Dixon says
Gorgeous pic of you and Mazen, so cute.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
I love the photos of you two in this post!!
Also, in the first picture, I thought your hair was shorter for a second, and I think it would totally look cute cut into a bob or lob 🙂