I spent the last week at a science conference in Colorado – check out the gorgeous views! While most people ski during the afternoon breaks at Keystone meetings, I decided against pushing my luck with my poor knee that has been acting up again when I jog. I did get to the top of one of the mountains though and went showshoeing with my labmates Joo and Chris.
The peaks were beautiful and the trek was challenging – between the hills and high altitude, I was struggling to catch my breath so it was an exhilarating workout. We also had fun checking out the Keystone village and outlet mall, and the foodie highlight was a tasty buffalo burger at one of the local pubs.
After eating out for so many days, the first thing I wanted to do today was make a nice healthy meal, but of course our fridge was empty and we ended up going out instead. I know what I would have made if all the ingredients had been around though – these delightful soba noodles!
I whipped up this dish a few weeks ago after our trip to HMart, where I scored the frozen buckwheat noodles and black sesame seeds. The soba noodles are addicting with the flavorful dressing and chunks of cucumber and red pepper, and the crispy chicken on top makes it a filling meal. I’m glad to be home and can’t wait to get back in the kitchen tomorrow now that we’ve restocked on groceries!
Sesame Chicken with Soba Noodles
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
Sesame Chicken:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup panko
1/4 cup white sesame seeds
1/4 cup black sesame seeds
2 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
Soba Noodles:
1 pound soba noodles
1 English cucumber, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 shallot, minced (1/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Directions:
To prepare the chicken, heat oven to 350˚F. Place flour and salt in a shallow dish and mix well. Place eggs in another shallow dish and mix well with a fork. Place panko and sesame seeds in a third shallow dish and mix well. Lightly dredge both sides of the chicken in the flour, then the egg, and then the sesame panko mixture until well covered. Place coated chicken strips in a 13×9-inch pan and bake at 350˚F for 10 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Prepare soba noodles according to package directions, drain, and rinse with cold water. Place in a large bowl, along with the chopped cucumber and red pepper. Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, canola oil, sesame oil, honey, shallot, garlic, and cilantro in a small bowl and mix well. Pour dressing over soba noodles and mix well. Even distribute noodles into bowls and top with chicken strips. Makes 6 servings. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition: 609 calories, 18.8g fat, 2.8g fiber, 36.3g protein per serving
Cost: $1.81 per serving
Ooo, this looks wonderful! I might try it with shiritaki noodles!
Colorado is such a gorgeous state – looks like you enjoyed yourself! The chicken & noodles look great as well. I need to find some black sesame seeds… but in the meantime I’m definitely going to make this. Soba noodles are delicious, and I love the Asian flavor profile of this dish.
so pretty! i need to try snowshoeing… but maybe i’ll have to wait until next winter 😉 love soba noodles, and this looks amazing!!
I absolutely ADORE H-Mart and love taking a weekend excursion up there. And I think I have all the ingredients for the noodles in the house! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Isn’t keystone gorgeous? I was there for a wedding a couple years back and it was just stunning.
After a long trip I feel the same way – about eating something chock full of veggies and nutrients. Helps get me feeling grounded again. I love the idea of coating the chicken in panko and sesame seeds!
What a fun trip! I’ve never tried snowshoeing, sounds cool. And love all the creative dishes you’ve been whipping up with Asian ingredients. We have a Super 88 close to us and I love going there to explore. It’s like a different world!!
It looks like you had a fantastic trip in Colorado!
Definitely one of the perks of doing research is the conferences…or at least the places they take you to! I’ve always wanted to go to Colorado…it looks like you had a fun trip! whenever I get home from a vacation, I just want to immerse myself in healthy food…like this. What a great dish!
they ski on their afternoon lunch breaks?! not a bad deal – looks like a fun work trip!
This looks delicious! I love soba noodles. Mmm.
Looks like you had a fun work trip!
Not bad for a work trip! I always crave healthy, homecooked meals after I’ve been on the road.
Beautiful scenery indeed. The noodles sound delicious for sure
Love the look of those chicken coated with white and black sesame seeds, sounds excellent with soba noodles!
Love the houndstooth coat!! And this recipe looks delightful, definitely adding this to my to-do list!
That looks delicious! I love the cucumbers. I know a lot of people aren’t crazy about them but I just adore them
I love that you’re a shopper at HMart. Gotta love that store. And though I’m not a soba fan, I’m totally eyeing that chicken. 😀
I’ve never been snow-shoeing before. Is it like skiing?
Kerstin…I’ve been to Keystone Symposium a few years ago…since I do not like cold I did not dare to go up the mountains…love the pictures. The soba looks perfect, and I totally understand by having a homemade meal after a whole week eating out
This looks like a wonderfully tasty and healthy meal. And a beautiful trip!
Looks like a great trip! I’m not much for the cold weather, but I think I’d enjoy snow shoeing. This meal looks very yummy. I haven’t tried buckwheat noodles yet. And I love the color that black sesame seeds add to a meal.
The mix of white and black sesame seeds is great–I only ever use white but will have to change that! And also..can I go to science conferences in Colorado too???
Colorado is so beautiful! I am loving the combination of flavors and textures in this dish. The white/black sesame seed combo makes it look pretty.
I LOVE HMART! I get so excited everytime I go there. This looks like a splendid dish to make from ingredients from such a fun store.
That sesame chicken looks incredible!! And Colorado is sooo pretty
Glad you had a good time!
Those views are stunning!
I guess I never thought of frozen soba noodles – I’ll have to look for those – love everything about this dish. 😀
I never had black sesame seeds before! They make for a pretty presentation – the entire dish sounds delicious!
Wow it looks so beautiful there! Although I’m happy to see the snow melted where I live. It was getting to be too much!
The sesame chicken looks great too. It looks packed full of flavor!
that looks and sounds so good. i don’t eat a lot of soba noodles and i should because i do like/love them with a spicy peanut sauce.
Great views in Colorado! I’ve never snowshoed, but I’d love to try it. The chicken with soba looks fantastic. I’m a big fan of soba and all the flavors here!
Thanks everyone!
Shannon and Elina – We should go next winter for sure!
Sophia – Just hiking, but the snowshoes are wide so you won’t fall through…