Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (2024)

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A warm bowl of ramen need not be a big ordeal of time or fuss.

By

Sally Vargas

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (1)

Sally Vargas

Sally is the author of four cookbooks and is a regular correspondent for the Boston Globe Wednesday Food Section. She also is a food photographer.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated November 26, 2023

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (2)

25 Quick and Easy Weeknight Meals with Chicken BrothFEATURED IN:

A bowl of ramen is a bowl of comfort. Oodles of soft noodles immersed in a bowl of fragrant broth can send you into weeknight—or late night—heaven.

These kinds of meals don’t typically come without a lot of time and effort. However, with a few shortcuts, you can make a bowl of ramen any night of the week in under half an hour.

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (3)

Great Ramen Without the Seasoning Packet

In Japanese culture and cuisine, ramen has been elevated to a high art form—watch Tampopo if you haven’t seen the movie already. You will become a believer.

It's also so popular that you can find inexpensive packages of dehydrated ramen noodle soup on every supermarket shelf—quick comfort food slurped by everyone from penniless college students to hungry office workers.

With this weeknight ramen, we're aiming for a middle ground: bowls filled with chewy noodles, flavorful store-bought chicken stock, a few vegetables, a soft-cooked egg, and slices of chicken.

If you are a good planner, cook a couple of chicken breasts early in the week so they're ready for the soup.

These days you often find fresh ramen noodles in a well-stocked supermarket, but dried noodles are fine, too—just ditch the seasoning packet!

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (4)

A Quick But Tasty Ramen Broth

This quick weeknight ramen depends on store-bought chicken stock, so use a brand you really like. (Here are the Simply team's favorites!) Even better, if you regularly make your own chicken stock, this is the time to pull it out of the freezer.

Sesame oil, garlic, ginger, carrots and scallions fortify the flavor of the broth, and a touch of brown sugar, while optional, adds a hint of sweetness.

How To Make Chicken Ramen

Once you have the broth, then the rest of this meal is about assembling components.

  1. For the greens, choose any that you might have around, like spinach, sliced kale, or sliced cabbage. So far, so good, right?
  2. While the broth simmers, cook the eggs in their shells and the noodles—use the same pot to cook both of them and save on cleanup.
  3. Cook the eggs to your liking. Nine minutes will yield a yolk that is firm, but if you like a little more softness, take the eggs out after seven or eight minutes. Once the eggs are done, add the noodles to the simmering water and cook briefly.

All that's left is to divide everything into bowls. Cilantro, limes and spicy Sriracha add some bright flavors to finish. That was easy!

More Easy Asian Noodle Dishes

  • Quick Chicken Pho
  • Soba Noodle Soup with Chicken and Bok Choy
  • Vietnamese-Style Noodle Bowls with Chicken
  • Soba Noodle Bowls with Spinach and Poached Egg
  • Bibim Guksu (Korean Spicy Cold Noodles)

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings4 servings

This recipe calls for cooked chicken breast. If you don't have any on hand, poach two chicken breasts in the chicken broth before beginning the recipe, or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.

Ingredients

For the broth:

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

  • 4 medium scallionsthinly sliced, including some of the green part

  • 1 clove garlic,minced

  • 1 small carrot, thinly sliced

  • 4 ounces button, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms

  • 1 1/2 cups thinly shredded Napa cabbage, spinach, kale, or other greens

  • 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional

  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock

  • Lime wedges, optional

For the soup:

  • 4 large eggs

  • 20 ounces fresh ramen noodles, or 12 ounces dried noodles

  • 2 medium cooked chicken breast halves, sliced (see Recipe Note)

For the garnish:

  • Soy sauce

  • Sriracha or other hot sauce

  • Handful fresh cilantro, leaves removed from stems

  • Lime wedges

Method

  1. Make the broth

    In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the scallions, garlic, carrot, mushrooms, and cabbage. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes, or until the vegetables soften.

    Stir in the ginger and brown sugar (if using) and cook for 30 seconds. Finally add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

    Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (5)

    Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (6)

  2. Cook the eggs

    While the broth is simmering, bring a pot of water to a boil. Set a bowl of cold ice water nearby.

    Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs, still in the shell, into the water. Simmer for 7 minutes for eggs that are soft and a little runny in the center, or 9 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.

    Transfer the eggs to the bowl of cold water and set aside until ready to serve.

  3. Cook the noodles

    Return the pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook for 3 minutes, or according to the package directions, until tender. Drain in a colander.

    Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (7)

  4. Assemble the soup

    Divide the noodles among 4 large bowls. Ladle the broth and vegetables over the noodles.

    Remove the eggs from the ice water. Tap the shells with a spoon to crack and then peel off the shells. Pat the eggs dry and cut them in half.

    Top each bowl with the egg halves and the sliced chicken. Serve with soy sauce, hot sauce, cilantro leaves and lime wedges.

  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Comfort Food
  • Chicken Soups
  • Chicken Breast
  • Ramen
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
749Calories
20g Fat
95g Carbs
51g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories749
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g25%
Saturated Fat 4g22%
Cholesterol 343mg114%
Sodium 409mg18%
Total Carbohydrate 95g34%
Dietary Fiber 3g10%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 51g
Vitamin C 17mg85%
Calcium 116mg9%
Iron 7mg41%
Potassium 910mg19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Easy Weeknight Chicken Ramen Recipe is Ready in 30 Minutes (2024)

FAQs

How long should ramen be cooked for? ›

Boil 1 ¼-cup of water, then remove the seasoning packet and dump the noodles into the water, along with any extra ingredients. Let it boil for around three minutes, and remove it from the heat. Stir in your flavoring, and it's done.

How long does homemade ramen take to cook? ›

Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, hot sauce, honey, sesame oil, and soup seasonings. Bring to a gentle boil and let the broth reduce and concentrate for 10 minutes while you soft boil eggs for serving (see notes for instructions). Bring the soup to a more rapid boil, add the Ramen, and cook for 1 minute.

How to make 3 minute ramen better? ›

What Can I Add to Instant Ramen To Make It Better?
  1. Switch up Your Broth. The first thing is to change up your broth. ...
  2. Add an Egg. ...
  3. Toss in Some Veggies. ...
  4. Stir in Togarashi Chili Pepper or Chili Oil. ...
  5. Add a Splash of Soy Sauce. ...
  6. Add Some Peanut Butter. ...
  7. Peruse Your Spice Cabinet. ...
  8. Butter and Brown Sugar.

How do you make $1 ramen better? ›

Simple Add-Ins to Boost Your Ramen Experience
  1. Miso paste.
  2. Chili bean sauce.
  3. Thai curry paste.
  4. Japanese curry powder.
  5. Fish sauce.
  6. Harissa.
  7. Vinegar.
  8. Ponzu.

How do you know when ramen is ready? ›

When the noodles are starting to turn slightly yellow, they are done. At this point, the ramen should be completely broken apart, and, when you put your fork in the water, a few noodles attach themselves to your fork. The ramen is ready to eat when it is flexible.

Why does ramen take so long to make? ›

As the boiling starts, the bones start to break down or collapse from the high heat and boiling water. As hours pass, the collagen, marrow and fat from the bones are emulsified into the water. In the ramen making classes I teach, students are always surprised by the color of the broth after the extended boiling.

How does ramen cook so fast? ›

Because instant ramen has to cook swiftly when the hot water is poured over it, the noodles are designed with plenty of space within each strand. "The internal structure of the instant noodle is porous," Sasaki says, so that water can rush in and saturate it quickly.

How long does homemade ramen last? ›

However, the fresh ingredients mean that it will go bad more quickly than instant ramen varieties. In the fridge, prepared ramen will expire within two to three days and will need to be discarded if not eaten within that time window.

Is homemade ramen hard to make? ›

We'll be honest: Homemade ramen noodles are a lot of work, and Sakai's recipe requires some elbow grease (kneading by hand!) and special equipment (a pasta maker!), but don't let that scare you off: It's worth it, and we're here to guide you every step of the way.

Can you just crack an egg into ramen? ›

Cook your ramen as directed, crack an egg and cook for 30 seconds/1 minute! Also a great way to add protein into your diet!

Should I cook ramen in broth or water? ›

Here's the proper sequence: Get the water boiling for the noodles, and have the broth piping hot. Add noodles to the boiling water and give them a stir so they don't clump together. While the noodles are cooking, add hot broth to each serving bowl.

How to make good ramen out of Maruchan? ›

How to Make the Best Maruchan Ramen Noodles
  1. Step 1: Place Bowl of Water in Microwave. ...
  2. Step 2: Place Egg in Heated Water. ...
  3. Step 3: Place Egg in Cold Water. ...
  4. Step 4: Place Noodles in Bowl of Water. ...
  5. Step 5: Cook Noodles for 4-5 Minutes. ...
  6. Step 6: Add Chicken Seasoning. ...
  7. Step 7: Add Crushed Red Pepper. ...
  8. Step 8: Add Chopped Green Onions.

What is Kylie Jenner's ramen recipe? ›

Put your ramen in organic water. In a bowl, combine ramen seasonings, 8 Kewpie Mayo, peanut butter, garlic, spring onion, sesame oil and mix to combine. Pour the hot organic ramen water, add the noodles and give it a final mix. Garnishes, spring onion, chili oil and sesame seeds.

How to make ramen 10x better? ›

Insider talked to chefs about the best ways to upgrade instant ramen noodles. Cooking the noodles in stock can add flavor, and you can also add things like eggs or bacon. Soy sauce, herbs, and seaweed are also easy additions that can boost instant ramen's flavor.

Should I put cheese in my ramen? ›

There are really no bad choices when it comes to ramen and cheese combinations. Whether you're craving a miso and parmesan take on Italian wedding soup, a plate of Cheese Corn Ramen, or a simple bowl of Classic Cheese Ramen, there is really never a bad time for a cheese and ramen combo.

Can you overcook ramen? ›

Since ramen noodles cook so quickly, it's pretty easy for them to go from chewy to soggy. That's why Japanese people typically eat ramen as quickly as possible. If the noodles are left to sit in the hot broth for too long, they continue cooking and become too soft.

How long should you wait for ramen to cool down? ›

Ramen Tatsuya notes that the key component of an enjoyable ramen experience is not to let the bowl cool down. In fact, they suggest that the sensory elements of ramen are the entire point of the bowl. They encourage consumers to sip the broth and allow the steam to hit their faces before even taking that first bite.

How many minutes for ramen egg? ›

Carefully and gently lower one egg at a time into the boiling water with a mesh strainer/skimmer or a ladle. When you add the first egg, set a 7-minute timer. You can cook them 6 to 6½ minutes for a runny egg yolk and 8 to 9 minutes for a custard-like egg yolk.

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