Enhanced Chicken Udon

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 pound, cut into bite-sized pieces)
• Udon noodles (8 ounces)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon (adjust for spice preference))
• Sliced mushrooms (1 cup (shiitake or button mushrooms work well))
• Baby bok choy (2 cups, chopped)
• Green onions (4, sliced (plus more for garnish))
• Fresh ginger (1 tablespoon, minced)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Sesame oil (2 tablespoons)
• Mirin (2 tablespoons)
• Soy sauce (1/4 cup)
• Chicken broth (4 cups (homemade or low-sodium))

Instructions

1. Cook the udon noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
3. In the same pot, add the minced garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce, and mirin. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
5. Add the sliced mushrooms, chopped baby bok choy, and half of the sliced green onions to the pot. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant.
6. Return the cooked chicken to the pot and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
7. To serve, divide the cooked udon noodles between two bowls. Ladle the hot chicken and vegetable broth over the noodles.
8. Garnish with the remaining sliced green onions and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Enjoy your comforting bowl of Chicken Udon!