Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
If you’re craving something comforting yet with a vibrant twist, you’re going to love this Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe. This dish packs creamy, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors into every slurp, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy depth that’s just irresistible. Trust me, it’s one of those recipes that I keep coming back to when I want a cozy meal that feels like a special treat without the fuss. Keep reading because I’m going to walk you through everything so your ramen turns out perfectly creamy and packed with flavor every time!
Why This Recipe Works
- Creaminess that Comforts: The combination of single cream and Parmesan creates a silky, rich broth that hugs the noodles beautifully.
- Flavor Boost with Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These give a tangy, umami punch that elevates the whole dish beyond plain chicken ramen.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated Spice Blend: Smoked paprika, chili flakes, and oregano add warmth and complexity without overpowering.
- Easy Prep and Fast Cooking: Coating the chicken in flour and searing it locks in juiciness while the sauce simmers quickly to infuse flavor.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe is chosen for how it builds layers of flavor without complicating the process. Plus, a few simple pantry staples transform this from fast to fabulous. When shopping, grab quality sun-dried tomatoes – oil-packed ones add extra richness but just sliced dried work fine too.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, they cook quickly and stay tender when coated in flour and seared.
- All-purpose flour: Creates a light crust on the chicken and helps thicken the broth slightly.
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity base for searing and developing flavor.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic provides the aromatic backbone we’ve all come to love in broth.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring a pleasant tang and chewy texture that cuts through the creaminess perfectly.
- Smoked paprika: Imparts subtle smokiness without heat.
- Dried oregano: Adds Mediterranean herbal notes for layered complexity.
- Red chili flakes: Just enough to bring a gentle kick that complements but doesn’t overwhelm.
- Chicken stock: A rich base that makes the broth flavorful and nourishing.
- Single cream: The secret to that luscious, velvety mouthfeel.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated in to add umami and enhance creaminess.
- Ground black pepper & flaky salt: Essential seasoning to balance all the flavors.
- Sugar: Just a pinch helps brighten the broth and round out acidity.
- Ramen noodles: Fresh or dried, they soak up all the goodness and provide that satisfying bite.
- Fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, edamame beans, scallions, chili oil (for toppings): These garnishes add freshness, crunch, and a little heat to finish the dish.
Make It Your Way
What I love most about this Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe is how forgiving it is for customization. Don’t hesitate to make it your own by tinkering with the spice levels or adding your favorite fresh toppings. It’s like a blank canvas that always ends in something delicious.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap the chicken breasts for thigh meat for juicier bites. It’s a nice twist if you prefer a more tender texture.
- Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable stock and add tofu or mushrooms instead of chicken – the broth stays creamy and satisfying.
- Seasonal Twist: In colder months, I sprinkle in some baby spinach or kale during the last minute of cooking noodles – it greens things up and adds nutrients.
- Mild Spice Version: Cut chili flakes in half if you’re sensitive to heat, the smoked paprika still gives great flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Coat and Sear That Chicken
Start by coating the chicken breasts thoroughly in all-purpose flour—this simple step creates a light crust and seals in juices. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add the chicken. Fry each side for about 4 minutes until golden brown. Don’t rush this part; you want a nice sear for flavor and texture. Once golden, set the chicken aside while you work on the sauce.
Step 2: Build the Flavorful Sauce
In the same pan, toss in minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes – the tiny sizzle when garlic hits the hot oil is pure magic. Add smoked paprika, red chili flakes, and oregano, frying just a couple of minutes until fragrant (don’t let the garlic burn!). Pour in 1 1/4 cups chicken stock, then stir in all the cream until silky. Grate in Parmesan cheese—if you’re like me, adding an extra handful here brings the broth from good to unforgettable!
Step 3: Simmer the Chicken in the Sauce
Return your browned chicken breasts to the pan and nestle them into the creamy sauce. Cover with a lid and let it cook gently for 5 minutes—this poaching step keeps the chicken moist and lets it soak up those deep flavors. Remove the chicken to cool slightly before slicing; trust me, slicing too soon makes it harder to get nice pieces.
Step 4: Season, Add Stock, and Cook the Noodles
Season the sauce now with flaky salt, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar—taste as you go! Pour in the remaining chicken stock and add the ramen noodles. Cook according to package instructions while stirring frequently to prevent clumping. This step ensures every noodle is perfectly tender and soaking up the creamy broth.
Step 5: Assemble and Garnish
Divide the hot broth and noodles into bowls, then top with the sliced chicken. Now comes the fun part: add fresh cilantro, crunchy bean sprouts, edamame beans, scallions, and a drizzle of chili oil. I always throw on extra Parmesan for that melty, cheesy finish. This combo brings texture, freshness, and a little punch, turning a bowl of ramen into an unforgettable meal.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Flour Coating Advantage: Coating chicken in flour before searing keeps it juicy and helps thicken the broth subtly.
- Don’t Rush Searing: Let the chicken develop a nice golden crust; it adds flavor and texture that you’ll thank me for later.
- Taste As You Go: The balance of salt, sugar, and pepper is personal — adjust gradually to keep the broth harmonious.
- Noodle Timing: Add noodles last and stir often to prevent sticking; nothing worse than clumpy ramen!
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I swear by fresh cilantro and scallions for brightness and herbaceous notes. Bean sprouts add a satisfying crunch, while edamame beans bring a pop of color and subtle sweetness. And the chili oil? It’s my secret weapon to add a smoky, spicy kick that ties everything together—don’t skip it unless you hate a little heat!
Side Dishes
This ramen stands tall on its own but pairs beautifully with light sides like steamed dumplings or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame. A crisp vegetable stir-fry on the side also balances the richness of the creamy broth, making it a full, satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe in rustic ceramic bowls with little bamboo steamers of sides alongside. Adding edible flowers or microgreens on top creates a fancy touch that’s fun to share when friends come over. Even just swirling chili oil artfully across the surface turns it from everyday to extraordinary.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store any leftover broth and chicken separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the noodles separate if you can to prevent them from getting soggy. This way, when you’re ready to enjoy again, everything tastes fresh and the textures remain appealing.
Freezing
Freezing this dish is doable but I recommend freezing the broth and cooked chicken separately from the noodles and fresh toppings. Noodles don’t freeze well and can turn mushy. When thawing, warm the broth gently and add freshly cooked noodles for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the broth gently on the stove and add freshly prepared ramen noodles or gently reheat the stored noodles with a splash of water to loosen them. This way, you keep that luscious creaminess and avoid overcooked, mushy noodles. Finish with fresh toppings for maximum flavor and texture.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of noodles in this Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe?
Absolutely! While ramen noodles are ideal for their chewiness and texture, you can substitute with udon, soba, or even spaghetti in a pinch. Just adjust cooking times based on package instructions to avoid overcooking.
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Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a gentle heat from red chili flakes and chili oil, which you can easily adjust up or down based on your preference. If you want to keep it mild, use less chili flakes and go light on the chili oil drizzle.
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How do I make the broth extra creamy?
Using single cream and stirring in an extra handful of Parmesan cheese both contribute to a rich, velvety broth. Also, avoid boiling the cream too aggressively to prevent separation; gentle simmering works best.
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Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and broth in advance and refrigerate separately. Add noodles and fresh toppings just before serving to keep everything tasting fresh and maintain the right textures.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen—and I hope it will in yours too. It’s cozy yet bright, simple yet special, and perfect for any night you want to indulge without spending hours cooking. Give it a try, bring out your favorite toppings, and enjoy a bowl full of love that you’ll want to make again and again. Trust me, once you’ve had this creamy, tangy, and spicy ramen, it’ll be on your regular rotation.
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Creamy Chicken Ramen with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Ramen is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy broth infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spices, served over tender ramen noodles and topped with fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, edamame beans, scallions, and a drizzle of chili oil for a spicy kick.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the broth and noodles:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tbsp red chili flakes
- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 1/4 cups single cream
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp flaky salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 7 oz ramen noodles
For the toppings:
- fresh cilantro
- bean sprouts
- edamame beans
- scallions
- chili oil
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pour the all-purpose flour onto a plate and thoroughly coat both chicken breasts in the flour. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the floured chicken breasts and fry each side for about 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the broth base: In the same saucepan, add the minced garlic, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, red chili flakes, and dried oregano. Fry for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Pour in about 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) of the chicken stock and all of the single cream. Mix well to combine, then grate in the parmesan cheese for extra richness.
- Cook the chicken in the broth: Return the seared chicken breasts to the saucepan with the sauce. Place a lid on the pan and let the chicken cook gently for 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool slightly before slicing.
- Season and cook noodles: Season the broth with flaky salt, freshly ground black pepper, and sugar. Adjust seasoning as needed. Pour in the remaining 1 1/4 cups chicken stock, then add the ramen noodles. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Assemble the ramen bowls: Divide the broth and cooked noodles into two bowls. Top each bowl with the sliced chicken. Garnish with fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, edamame beans, scallions, chili oil, and an extra sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese to serve. Drizzle chili oil lightly to add a wonderful kick.
Notes
- Coat the chicken well in flour to achieve a nice golden crust when frying.
- Use full-fat single cream for a rich and creamy broth.
- Adjust red chili flakes and chili oil according to your preferred spice level.
- For vegetarian option, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit chicken.
- Extra parmesan cheese at the end adds more depth of flavor.
- Cook ramen noodles separately or as per package instructions to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
