Spicy Coconut Noodles

A tasty weeknight meal is only 20 minutes away. Check out the recipe for this Spicy Coconut Noodle dish on Shutterbean.com !

Just when I thought I tackled all my stacks of rogue recipes ripped out from magazines, I went through one of my old purses and found a treasure trove. For the record, this is how I organize some of my recipes to make. So, this recipe is something I’ve had in my possession for almost 9 years. You should have seen how discolored it was! And as I was meal planning for last week, I thought these Spicy Coconut Noodles would go really well with the Sambal Chicken Skewers I grilled. I love when things magically work out like that.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

I took a big risk with those two recipes in the fact that my husband isn’t into chicken as much as I am and I wasn’t really sure how he feels about coconut in noodles. I don’t really have a history of making us dishes with rice noodles, so  I was pleasantly surprised that my risk paid off because he told me the combination was “REALLY GOOD.”  Then he proceeded to get a second helping and then told me I should make it again. Hallelujah!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

I suspect he loved the creamy sauce on the noodles…the spice…the basil (although I should have used Thai Basil!) and the fish sauce. He’s a sucker for fish sauce. It’s like a creamy Thai alfredo. Winner winner chicken dinner. Literally.

And we’re off!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

First we cook our rice noodles. Check your package directions!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Done. Drained. Waiting for sauce.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Sambal oelek in the coconut milk. Then some sriracha.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Three tablespoons of tomato paste.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Fish sauce!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Simmer. And then pour over the noodles.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Accouterments!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

MIX.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Needs garnish.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

GARNISHED!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Perfection.

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

And then the Sambal Chicken Skewers enter the picture!

Spicy Coconut Noodles || Shutterbean

Dinner is DONE. Leftovers are amazing.

Spicy Coconut Noodles

recipe adapted from Real Simple Magazine

serves 3-4

  • 8 oz. rice noodles
  • 1 14oz. can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 heaping tablespoons sambal oelek
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (add more if you love spice!)
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • pinch sea salt
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 16 basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup toasted coconut
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • lime wedges, for serving

Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine the coconut milk, tomato paste, sambal oelek, sriracha, fish sauce, and a pinch of sea salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the drained noodles and toss with half the scallions basil, coconut and cilantro. Divide noodles among individual bowls. Top with the remaining scallions, basil, cilantro and coconut. Give each bowl a drizzle of sriracha and serve with lime wedges.

  • Kelsey

    This looks delicious. Where do you buy the tomato paste in a tube? I hate wasting the rest of the little cans when I only need a little bit…

    • Paula

      Ditto! I skip it in recipes ALL THE TIME, because watching one of those wee buggers go moldy in the ‘fridge makes my skin crawl.

    • Carly

      When I have leftover tomato paste, I put 1 tbsp. blobs of tomato paste on wax paper (on a cookie sheet), then freeze it. Pop them into a Ziplock bag and nothing is wasted. They can be defrosted on the counter, in the fridge, or on a low temperature in the microwave.

    • Mary Frances

      You can find them at grocery stores like Whole Foods for sure and Trader Joe’s just started carrying them as well!

    • Sonja

      Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Whole Foods have tomato paste in tubes. Aldi might as well.

  • Nicole

    This looks delicious! My husband can’t have dairy, so we love noodles made creamy with coconut milk. Must try this.

  • shelly

    sign me up for these noodles…

  • Heather

    These sound incredible! I love the idea of an asian inspired creamy noodle dish – not something you see very often. Can’t wait to try these!

  • Ashley Jones

    I love it when the husband is pleasantly surprised! Also, I’m currently obsessed with sambal oelek!

  • Jamie

    Yup, when he goes back for seconds I know it’s a winner. Since he’s a huge fan of rice noodles this will definitely go in my (very unorganized) pile of recipes to try. = )

  • Amber

    I appreciate your use of accouterments.

  • Jessica @ Golden Brown and Delicious

    This looks so good!! I love coconut anything, so these are right up my alley. Thanks for sharing!

  • Mary Frances

    Your photos are so gorgeous and these noodles look fantastic! That creamy coconut milk sounds like the perfect thing to complement all the delicious bold flavors and spicy heat.

  • Alison

    Love, love, love Thai food! My hubby hates fish sauce, so I shall have to wait until he’s away next before trying this recipe. Yum!

  • alina

    Omg, i want to eat this right now!

  • Danika Maia

    This looks amazing I absolutely love asian flavours, coconut, and spice! Can’t wait to try this

    Danika Maia
    http://www.danikamaia.com

  • Abby

    Ooh, these noodles look amazing, Tracy. I LOVE coconut, so this recipe is a must-try for me.

  • Millie | Add A Little

    I am so making this asap! I’m a huge sucker for coconut and I can’t eat dairy so totally missing out on the alfredo thing, but this looks so much better anyway!

  • Ann

    Thanks for putting up this accompaniment for the chicken sambal skewers in time for me to cook for my visitors. I made some adjustments to the noodle sauce for our tastes and the whole meal was delicious. I served with one of our favourite side dishes – honey soy mushrooms. I will be making both again as it’s a pretty quick meal to whip up, once you’ve got the chicken (for the skewers) marinating. Thank you Tracy.

  • Marga

    Hi Tracy, I’m from Brazil and love your blog. we made these noodles today and had them with grilled tuna.tastes só good! thanks!

  • Loraine

    Hi Tracy, made the noodles and Sambal chicken on Friday evening – loved both of them, will definitely make again, such simple, but tasty recipes…hubby said he would eat the noodles by themselves anytime…

  • Kristin

    Made the spicy noodles and Sambal chicken tonight and they were great! Definitely will add to the rotation.

  • Danielle Reavis

    We made these and the chicken skewers tonight, and it was was to DIE for. Such amazing flavors! So glad we made this, it will be added to the rotation for sure! YUUUUUM!

  • Jane

    Made these tonight with my favorite tofu (http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-peanutty-quinoa-bowls-two-make-baked-tofu/). They were PERFECT, thank you!!

  • Dani

    Hi there! Just checking — is it really only 8oz of pasta? That seems like barely any for 4 people. My bag of rice noodles is 16oz but I don’t want to overdue and miss out on any sauciness!

    • Tracy

      It will be less saucy with 16oz for sure. I would say that 12 oz. would work just find 🙂

  • emma r

    Oh My God! This was one of the best dinners I’ve made for myself. I improvised a bit with both the noodles and chicken skewers (added some peanut buttah to those), but damn it was tasty! Thank you for this recipe—it earned its rightful place in both the “weeknight saviors” and “impress the guests” recipe boxes.

  • Missy

    YUM! I’mma add cashews… because nuts <3

  • Erin

    I made this and the sambal chicken for my boyfriend and his son. They loved it. I loved the marinade reduced down too! I poured it over the chicken and noodles. The flavors were nuts! Loved how fast it came together too!

  • DessertForTwo

    I just made these noodles and they’re awesome! I added chopped seared turkey breast, thinly shredded purple cabbage and crushed peanuts on top. It was awesome! Oh, plus tons o’ cilantro and lime (my lifeblood).

    Thanks for another great recipe, Tracy!
    XO

  • Erin

    I made these noodles and the Sambal Chicken last week. It was all so easy and delicious. My boyfriend kept saying how good it was!

    Thank you!

  • Neha

    Hi Tracy,
    I am planning to make this with the sambal chicken for a dinner party. Can I make the noodles in advance and then just reheat them? Thanks!

  • Sarah

    This looks amazing, Tracy. We had Thai food for lunch & I was just thinking I need to make more thai dishes at home. Thanks for your post & wonderful photos. https://reallyintothis.com

  • Sara H

    I LOVE this meal, I’ve made it so many times. Thank you for sharing!!!

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