Homemade Instant Noodle Jars with Chicken and Vegetables
In short: Rice noodles, shredded chicken, vegetables and a seasoning paste layered in a jar. Add boiling water at lunchtime for a fresh noodle soup in five minutes. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 245 kcal
A noodle jar is a homemade version of instant noodles, with real chicken, vegetables and a flavor paste instead of a seasoning packet. You layer everything in a jar once, and at lunchtime you pour in boiling water, wait five minutes and eat. Thin rice noodles soften fast and keep the soup light. The jars last three days in the fridge, which suits a few days of office lunches.
Instructions
- Stir the bouillon paste, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil and chili flakes together in a small bowl until you have a thick paste.
- Divide the paste among four 750 ml (3 cup) jars, about 1 tablespoon in the bottom of each.
- Layer the chicken, carrot, peas, spinach and spring onions in each jar, dividing them evenly.
- Break the noodles into thirds and press 30 g of dry noodles into the top of each jar. Seal the lids and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- At lunchtime, tip the contents of one jar into a large heatproof bowl or mug, because a cold glass jar can crack when boiling water hits it. Pour over 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) of boiling water.
- Stir, cover with a plate and leave for 5 minutes, until the noodles are tender and the chicken is steaming hot. Stir again, squeeze in a little lime juice and eat.
Tips
- Use leftover roast, poached or shredded chicken. Baked tofu cubes or sliced ham work in its place, and a pinch of dried mushrooms adds depth.
- If you plan to keep the jars for the full 3 days, tuck the dry noodles into a small bag on top, so they do not absorb moisture from the vegetables.
Questions and answers
How long do homemade noodle jars keep?
Up to 3 days in the fridge, because they contain cooked chicken. For the best texture, keep the dry noodles in a small bag on top of the jar.
Can I take noodle jars to work without a fridge?
Not with cooked chicken for more than a few hours. Carry them in an insulated bag with an ice pack, or swap the chicken for dry ingredients such as dried mushrooms and freeze-dried peas.
Can I use other noodles?
Yes. Thin egg noodles or instant ramen blocks soften in 3 minutes. Thicker noodles should be cooked before you add them to the jar.
How long does it take to make Homemade Instant Noodle Jars with Chicken and Vegetables?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Homemade Instant Noodle Jars with Chicken and Vegetables?
About 245 kcal per serving, with 19 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 245 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
