Description

This Fiery Chicken Ramen with Creamy Garlic Sauce combines the heat of Korean gochujang with a luxurious garlic cream sauce, creating the perfect balance of spicy and creamy. Tender chicken thighs, springy ramen noodles, and fresh garnishes come together in a soul-warming bowl that’s both impressive enough for guests and simple enough for a weeknight dinner. Ready in under an hour!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Ramen

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 packs (about 3 ounces each) fresh or dried ramen noodles
2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and light-green parts separated)
1 cup baby spinach leaves
1 soft-boiled egg per bowl (optional, but highly recommended!)

For the Creamy Garlic Sauce

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Season and Sear the Chicken:
- Pat chicken pieces dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken in a single layer (working in batches if needed) and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per batch.
- Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Build the Broth Base:
- Reduce heat to medium. Add a splash more oil if needed, then add minced garlic and ginger. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let bubble for about 1 minute.
Simmer the Soup:
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil.
- Return the seared chicken (and any accumulated juices) to the pot.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until chicken is tender and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.
Cook the Ramen:
- While soup simmers, cook ramen noodles in a separate pot according to package instructions, but shave off about 30 seconds from cooking time so they stay al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes to form a light roux.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan and a pinch of nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
Assemble Your Bowls:
- Divide cooked noodles among four bowls.
- Ladle the fiery chicken broth and chicken pieces over the top.
- Drizzle a generous swirl of creamy garlic sauce across each bowl.
- Garnish with white parts of green onions, a handful of baby spinach, and finish with the green parts of scallions.
- Top with a soft-boiled egg if desired.

Notes

For a perfect soft-boiled egg, boil refrigerated eggs for exactly 6 minutes and 30 seconds, then immediately transfer to an ice bath.
Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of gochujang.
The creamy garlic sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated. Gently reheat with a splash of milk to restore its silky texture.
For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter, unsweetened almond milk, and substitute nutritional yeast for the Parmesan.
This soup is best enjoyed immediately but components can be stored separately for 2-3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Fusion, Korean-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 585
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 1250mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 180mg

Keywords: Fiery Chicken Ramen, Creamy Garlic Sauce, Spicy Ramen, Korean-Inspired Ramen, Chicken Ramen Bowl, Gochujang Chicken, Comfort Food