This quick and flavorful Spicy Hearts of Palm Noodle Stir Fry with Chicken comes together in minutes. Ground chicken is seasoned with garlic, fresh ginger, sesame oil, hoisin sauce and a touch of sambal oelek for heat, then tossed with hearts of palm noodles for a low‑carb, gluten‑free alternative to traditional pasta. It’s versatile, satisfying, and ready in about 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Spicy Hearts of Palm Noodles with Chicken
If you want an easy way to boost your vegetable intake while keeping meals light, hearts of palm noodles are a great option. They have a firm, noodle‑like texture without the wateriness of spiralized zucchini and they absorb sauces well. This recipe swaps traditional pasta for hearts of palm noodles and pairs them with seasoned ground chicken for a balanced, protein‑forward meal. The result is savory, slightly spicy, and very satisfying.
Hearts of Palm Health Benefits
Hearts of palm are a non‑starchy vegetable harvested from the inner core of certain palm trees. They are low in calories and carbohydrates and provide a source of potassium, phosphorus and a few other minerals. Because they are vegetable‑based and low in starch, they make an excellent base for lower‑carb dishes without sacrificing volume or texture.
What do hearts of palm noodles taste like?
Hearts of palm noodles taste mildly of the vegetable itself—delicate and slightly tangy—but they are not overpowering. They readily take on the flavors of the sauces and aromatics you cook with, so a bold stir‑fry sauce will dominate and make the noodles taste like the dish rather than like the noodle base.
Should you rinse hearts of palm pasta?
Rinsing hearts of palm noodles under cold water briefly can help neutralize any jarred or canned flavor and firm them up. Drain well before adding them to the pan so they heat through quickly and absorb the sauce.
Stir Fry Ingredients
- 12 ounce package hearts of palm noodles (Palmini or similar)
- 8 ounces ground chicken (or substitute ground turkey)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup reduced‑sodium soy sauce (or gluten‑free soy sauce/tamari)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (or sriracha; omit if you prefer mild)
- Scallions and sesame seeds, for garnish
How to Cook Hearts of Palm Pasta
- Prepare the noodles: Rinse hearts of palm noodles thoroughly under cold running water in a colander. Drain well.
- Brown the chicken: Heat a large skillet over high heat and lightly spray or brush with oil. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Create the aromatics space: Push the cooked chicken to one side of the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and add 1 teaspoon sesame oil to the empty side of the pan.
- Cook aromatics and noodles: Add minced garlic, grated ginger and the drained hearts of palm noodles. Cook 1–2 minutes, stirring, just until heated through.
- Add the sauce: Pour in the soy sauce, hoisin and sambal oelek. Stir everything together and cook 2–3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to coat the noodles and chicken.
- Finish and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Divide between plates and top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Add extra sambal for more heat if desired.
Noodle Stir Fry Variations
- Spicy level: Substitute sriracha for sambal oelek or omit the chili for a milder dish.
- Noodles: If you can’t find hearts of palm noodles, use spiralized zucchini (zoodles) or cooked rice noodles as alternatives.
- Gluten‑free: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce to keep the recipe gluten‑free.
- Vegetables: Add bell pepper, broccoli florets, snap peas or edamame for extra color, crunch and nutrition.
This recipe scales easily: double the ingredients to make lunch for a few days. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days; reheat gently in a skillet to preserve texture.
Recipe Details
- Yield: 2 servings
- Serving size: 1/2 of the recipe
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Protein: 26 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.5 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sodium: 1772 mg (varies by soy sauce and hoisin)
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you try this spicy hearts of palm noodle stir fry, leave a comment and let others know how it turned out. Small tweaks—like adding more vegetables, swapping proteins or adjusting the heat—make this dish your own. Enjoy a lighter, veggie‑forward twist on a classic noodle stir fry.