Chicken Ramen is a Japanese-inspired noodle soup featuring a flavorful broth made from chicken, soy sauce, and aromatics. It’s often garnished with boiled eggs, green onions, and nori (seaweed), making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Ramen
- Don’t overcook the noodles: Ramen noodles cook quickly. Drain them as soon as they’re al dente to prevent them from getting mushy.
- Infuse your broth: For deeper flavors, simmer the broth with a chicken carcass, bones, or even a rotisserie chicken.
- Perfect your eggs: To achieve a soft-boiled egg with a jammy yolk, boil the eggs for 6–7 minutes, then plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- Layer the flavors: Add a drizzle of chili oil, garlic paste, or miso paste for extra depth.
Chicken Ramen Variations
While the classic version is hard to beat, here are a few variations to suit different tastes:
- Spicy Chicken Ramen: Add a spoonful of chili paste or sriracha to the broth for a spicy kick.
- Creamy Chicken Ramen: Stir in a splash of coconut milk or heavy cream for a richer broth.
- Vegetable Chicken Ramen: Load your bowl with mushrooms, spinach, bok choy, or carrots for added nutrients.
- Gluten-Free Ramen: Use gluten-free noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Shoyu Ramen: Focus on a soy sauce-based broth for a traditional Japanese flavor.
How to Serve Chicken Ramen
- Garnish generously: Don’t skimp on toppings like green onions, sesame seeds, or nori. These small additions elevate the dish.
- Serve immediately: Ramen is best enjoyed fresh, as the noodles tend to soak up the broth and become soft over time.
- Pair it with sides: Complement your ramen with Japanese gyoza (dumplings) or a light cucumber salad.
How to Store Chicken Ramen
If you’ve made a big batch, here’s how to store it properly:
- Broth: Store the broth separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Noodles: Keep cooked noodles in a separate container. Mix in a little sesame oil to prevent sticking.
- Reheating: When reheating, warm the broth separately and pour it over the noodles and toppings to keep the texture intact.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make chicken ramen ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the broth in advance and store it in the fridge or freezer. Assemble the ramen fresh for the best texture.
2. What type of noodles should I use?
Traditional ramen noodles are ideal, but you can substitute with udon, soba, or even spaghetti in a pinch.
3. Can I use leftover chicken?
Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken works perfectly and saves time.
4. How can I make my broth more flavorful?
Simmer the broth with additional aromatics like leeks, shiitake mushrooms, or a dash of fish sauce.
5. Is chicken ramen healthy?
Chicken ramen can be a balanced meal if you load it with veggies, use low-sodium broth, and moderate the amount of oil and noodles.
Chicken Ramen
Chicken Ramen is a Japanese-inspired noodle soup featuring a flavorful broth made from chicken, soy sauce, and aromatics. It’s often garnished with boiled eggs, green onions, and nori (seaweed), making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts
- Aromatics: Garlic (1 Tbsp minced), fresh ginger (2 tsp minced), scallions (½ cup sliced)
- Broth Base: 4 cups rich chicken stock, 1 oz dried shiitake mushrooms, 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin
- Noodles: 2 (3 oz) packs dried ramen noodles
- Toppings: 2 large eggs, optional jalapeño or chili slices
- Seasonings: Kosher salt, freshly-ground black pepper, sesame or vegetable oil (2 tsp), 1–2 tsp sea salt to taste
Instructions
Cook the Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Season chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- Melt 1 Tbsp butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until golden and crispy (5–7 minutes). Flip and sear the other side for 4–5 minutes.
- Roast the chicken in the oven for 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Let it rest under foil until you’re ready to serve.
Make the Ramen Broth
- Heat 2 tsp sesame or vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Stir in soy sauce and mirin, letting it cook for 1 minute.
- Add chicken stock, cover, and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then add dried mushrooms. Simmer another 10 minutes.
- Taste and season with sea salt, adjusting to your preference.
Prepare Soft-Boiled Eggs
- Boil enough water to cover the eggs. Carefully lower in cold eggs and simmer for 7–8 minutes (7 for runny yolks, 8 for set yolks).
- Transfer eggs to an ice bath immediately to stop cooking. Once cooled, peel and slice lengthwise.
Assemble Your Ramen Bowls
- While your eggs rest, cook the ramen noodles in boiling water (2–3 minutes).
- Divide noodles into bowls. Top with sliced chicken, hot ramen broth, soft-boiled eggs, scallions, and optional chili slices or jalapeño.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 923Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 24gCholesterol 254mgSodium 17612mgCarbohydrates 84gFiber 5gSugar 20gProtein 48g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Conclusion
Chicken ramen is more than just a bowl of soup—it’s an experience that brings warmth and joy with every bite. With its endless variations and customizable nature, it’s a dish that can cater to anyone’s preferences. Whether you’re crafting a bowl from scratch or giving a store-bought version a personal touch, chicken ramen is a culinary adventure worth savoring.
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