Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

This meal makes you feel like you have gone to an amazing Thai restauant for dinner. It is seriously delicious. I found this recipe on Picky Palate and I love it! When it's fresh and warm, the sauce has a tendency to pool at the bottom, so serve it in a shallow dish and scoop deep when serving. I agree with the chef, "Every ingredient is important - if you don't have fresh ginger, cilantro, roasted peanuts, or red bell pepper, I would say, wait until you do!"

1lb whole wheat thin spaghetti noodles
2 Tablespoons sesame oil
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 (1 inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled
½ Cup smooth peanut butter
¼ Cup soy sauce
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 scant teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 Cup hot water
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ Cup finely chopped white onion
½ Cup finely chopped red or orange bell pepper
2½ - 3 Cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
¼ Cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ Cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds (I just sprinkle some on top)

*I cooked the chicken in the crock pot in the morning and shredded it before preparing the rest of the meal. Alternatively, you could cook the chicken in the microwave at 50% power until cooked through. Set water to boil and cook noodles according to package. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce in the food processor.
*Place garlic and ginger in food processor until well chopped. Add peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and red pepper flakes. Pulse until well combined and slowly add hot water. Set aside.Place olive oil in hot skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and bell pepper for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in chicken breast, cilantro and salt. Stir until heated through.Add sauce and chicken mixture to noodles. Toss to coat and garnish with peanuts and sesame seeds if desired.

Makes 6 servings.