Description
This Birria Chicken Ramen uses a streamlined birria-style broth (smoky chiles + warm spices) simmered with chicken, then finished with ramen noodles and fresh toppings for a rich, restaurant-inspired bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce optional, boosts umami
- 2 packages ramen noodles
(3 ounces each, seasoning packets discarded)
Toppings:
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup finely diced white onion
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Optional: sliced jalapeños
Instructions
-
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Add chicken and sear 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Add diced onion and cook 2 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook 30 seconds.
- Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Stir 30 seconds.
- Add chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, chicken broth, water, vinegar, and soy sauce if using.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cover and cook 15 minutes.
- Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Add ramen noodles and cook 2 to 3 minutes until just tender.
- Taste and adjust salt, vinegar, or adobo sauce as needed.
- Serve hot with cilantro, diced onion, and lime.
Notes
- For deeper birria flavor, add 1 more tablespoon tomato paste and an extra splash of vinegar at the end.
- Start with 1 chipotle pepper if you want mild-medium heat.
- Do not cook noodles until ready to serve—ramen softens quickly in broth.
- If using leftover birria consommé, substitute it for the broth and skip the spice-building steps.
- Store noodles separately from broth for best leftovers.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 520kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
Keywords: Birria Chicken Ramen