Spaghetti Stir-Fry With Chicken 

Updated Jan. 8, 2024

Spaghetti Stir-Fry With Chicken 
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
4(225)
Comments
Read comments

This is nowhere near a traditional Chinese stir-fry or Italian spaghetti dish. Instead, it’s a recipe my amu (the Bengali term for mother) made by combining staples from her pantry and fridge to reflect the flavors of our favorite takeout without the need for specific noodles or a wok. By using frozen mixed vegetables, there’s only minimal prep and knife work required. The chicken, aromatics and vegetables cook while the pasta boils, so it all comes together quickly. Serve it just out of the pot for a hot meal, or eat it cold the next day, straight out of the fridge. 

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12ounces spaghetti
  • 1pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • cup olive oil, neutral oil or ghee
  • 4scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1(1-inch) piece ginger, finely grated
  • 4garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1(10- to 12-ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 3tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2tablespoons unseasoned rice wine vinegar
  • 2tablespoons honey
  • Ketchup (optional), for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

512 calories; 18 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 62 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 9 grams sugars; 26 grams protein; 603 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once the water has come to a boil, season generously with salt and add the pasta. Cook, stirring occasionally, until spaghetti is al dente, 8 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook, flipping once, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board to cool slightly, then chop into bite-size pieces.

  3. Step 3

    Reduce the heat to medium, add the scallions (reserving some to garnish), plus the ginger and garlic, and cook until caramelized and sticking to the pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the frozen vegetables, increase heat to high, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook, using the moisture from the vegetables to scrape up any bits sticking to the pan, until the excess water is cooked off and the steaming switches to sizzling, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the sesame seeds and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute.

  4. Step 4

    Add the pasta and stir until evenly coated in the oil, vegetables and aromatics. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, honey and chicken; stir until well combined.

  5. Step 5

    Divide among plates and garnish with reserved scallions. If desired, serve with ketchup alongside or on top.

Ratings

4 out of 5
225 user ratings
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Comments

Rinsing the cooked noodles is a normal step in preparing Chinese noodle dishes, where you *don't* want the starch from the noodles to gum up the dish and you *do* want the noodles to be cool before adding to the wok/pan for later stir-fry.

Delicious. I followed the recipe but had a 16 oz bag of frozen mixed veggies and it was perfect. The addition of ketchup at the end seals the deal. I'll be making this on repeat. I have a family of four and it was the perfect amount with enough leftovers for a couple of servings (lunch tomorrow, yum!!!).

NEVER rinse cooked pasta! OMG, I can't believe people do this. First, it's unnecessary: it's just been in boiling water; why are you rinsing water with water? Second, you're rinsing off the starch, which is an essential pasta ingredient, not only for taste, but so that any sauce or condiment you put on it will adhere to it. And never just put cooked pasta aside with no oil on it, or keep it separate from whatever sauce you're using. It will turn into a gloppy, gluey mess.

This was delicious! Big hit with the kids. I had pre-cut chicken breast for stir frying so I tossed that with salt, pepper, and cornstarch before stir frying. Otherwise followed exactly except I used a half bag of coleslaw mix and some frozen corn for the veggies. And added ketchup with the other sauce ingredients. Drizzled with a little sesame oil. So good!

In all the “To Rinse Or Not To Rinse” back and forth, why did no one mention the assault rinsing pasta is to drain lines? Scoop the pasta into an ice bath if you want to cool it down. But you should never throw that starchy muck down your drains.

@Robert Keilitz that muck is going down the pipes one way or another.

This was great and very cost effective. Will try this with rice next time.

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