This flavorful and nutritious dish brings the taste of a Chinese takeaway to your kitchen in just 20 minutes. Packed with lean chicken breast, crisp vegetables, and gluten-free rice vermicelli noodles, it’s a balanced meal that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare. The combination of sweet and regular soy sauces, along with a touch of rice vinegar, creates a savory umami flavor that ties everything together. Best of all, it’s cooked in a single pan, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
Ingredients
-
200g rice vermicelli noodles
-
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
-
1 large Chinese cabbage, thinly sliced
-
3 carrots, chopped into thin matchsticks
-
350g chicken breast, thinly sliced
-
1 white onion, thinly sliced
-
1 bunch fresh coriander, torn to serve
-
3 spring onions, thinly sliced
-
1 lime, cut into wedges
-
200ml chicken stock
-
5 tbsp sweet soy sauce
-
2 tbsp regular soy sauce
-
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
-
1 tbsp rice vinegar
-
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
-
Optional: chili flakes
Directions
-
In a bowl, toss the thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of sweet soy sauce to coat evenly.
-
Heat 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and chopped garlic, frying for about 4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and garlic from the pan and set aside.
-
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of rapeseed oil. Add the sliced cabbage, onion, and carrots. Season with salt and stir-fry on high heat for approximately 7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
-
Meanwhile, place the vermicelli noodles in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them sit for 2-4 minutes until softened, then drain.
-
In a separate jug, combine the sweet soy sauce, regular soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken stock, and the cornstarch slurry.
-
Add the cooked chicken, garlic, noodles, and sauce mixture to the pan with the vegetables. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
-
Serve the noodles garnished with chopped spring onions, lime wedges, fresh coriander, and a sprinkle of chili flakes if desired.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: Approximately 400 kcal
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fat: 10g
Fiber: 5g
Health Benefits of Chicken Vermicelli Noodles
Chicken Vermicelli Noodles is more than just a tasty dish; it’s also a well-balanced meal that can benefit your health in several ways. Combining lean protein from chicken with the fiber from vegetables and noodles, it provides a range of nutrients essential for overall health. Here’s a closer look at the health benefits of this dish:
Lean Protein from Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is one of the best sources of lean protein, making it a great choice for those looking to build muscle, maintain a healthy weight, or support tissue repair. A serving of chicken breast provides a substantial amount of protein with minimal fat, making it a perfect addition to a balanced diet. Protein plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, improving immune function, and promoting overall wellness. For those looking to reduce body fat while maintaining muscle mass, lean chicken breast is an ideal option.
High in Fiber
The addition of vegetables like Chinese cabbage, carrots, and spring onions boosts the fiber content of this dish. Fiber is essential for maintaining digestive health, regulating blood sugar levels, and promoting feelings of fullness. Consuming high-fiber meals can help prevent constipation, lower cholesterol levels, and improve overall gut health. This dish provides a satisfying combination of soluble and insoluble fiber, which can promote regular bowel movements and help maintain digestive function.
Gluten-Free and Suitable for Various Diets
Rice vermicelli noodles are naturally gluten-free, making this recipe an excellent option for individuals with gluten sensitivities or those following a gluten-free diet. Many gluten-free dishes can be bland or lack texture, but the rice vermicelli noodles provide a light and satisfying base that holds up well when combined with the sauce and vegetables. Additionally, this dish is adaptable for other specific dietary preferences. For example, you can easily swap out the chicken breast for tofu or another protein source to make it vegetarian or vegan.
Healthy Fats
This recipe includes rapeseed oil, which is a great source of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are essential for maintaining heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Using rapeseed oil in cooking helps ensure that your body gets these essential fats in a healthy and balanced way, without the saturated fats found in some other cooking oils.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
The vegetables used in this dish, particularly Chinese cabbage, carrots, and onions, provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are important for maintaining optimal health. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, essential for eye health and immune function. Chinese cabbage is rich in vitamin K, which plays a role in bone health and blood clotting. Additionally, onions are a good source of antioxidants and can contribute to lowering inflammation in the body.
The fresh coriander and lime wedges used as garnishes also offer health benefits. Coriander is known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, while lime is an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports immune health and skin regeneration.
How to Customize the Recipe
One of the best things about the Easy Chicken Vermicelli Noodles recipe is how easily it can be customized to fit different tastes, dietary needs, or available ingredients. Here are some ideas for modifying the recipe to suit your preferences:
Vegetable Variations
While the recipe calls for Chinese cabbage, carrots, and onions, you can easily swap out these vegetables for others you may have on hand. For example, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms would all make great additions to the stir-fry. You can also add in leafy greens like spinach or kale for an extra nutrient boost. If you’re looking for a more hearty meal, consider adding mushrooms or peas to the mix.
Protein Substitutes
If you’re not a fan of chicken or want to try a different protein, there are plenty of alternatives that can be used in this dish. Tofu or tempeh are excellent options for vegetarians and vegans, providing a similar texture and protein content. Shrimp or beef slices would also work well in this recipe if you’re looking for a variation in flavor.
Spicy Kick
If you prefer a little more spice in your dish, you can adjust the amount of chili flakes added or even incorporate fresh chili peppers into the stir-fry. For an extra kick, try adding a dash of sriracha or chili paste to the sauce mixture. The heat from the spices can elevate the flavors and add an exciting zing to the noodles.
Noodle Alternatives
While rice vermicelli noodles are gluten-free and provide a light, chewy texture, you can also experiment with other types of noodles if you prefer. For example, soba noodles (made from buckwheat) are a nutritious alternative that adds an earthy flavor to the dish. Udon or rice noodles can also be used depending on your preference. Keep in mind that different noodles may require slight adjustments in cooking time, so follow the package instructions for the best results.
Why One-Pot Meals Are Great for Busy Nights
This Easy Chicken Vermicelli Noodles recipe is a perfect example of the convenience of one-pot meals. One-pot cooking is a time-saving and stress-reducing approach to meal preparation that has gained popularity in recent years. Here are a few reasons why one-pot meals like this are so great:
Minimal Cleanup
One of the most significant benefits of one-pot meals is the ease of cleanup. After preparing and cooking the meal, you only have to clean a single pot or pan, which means fewer dishes to wash. This is especially helpful after a long day when you’re looking to relax and unwind rather than spend time washing dishes.
Quick and Easy Preparation
One-pot meals typically involve a simple cooking process, where all the ingredients are cooked in a single pan. This means less time spent on prep work and a more efficient cooking process. For busy weeknights or meal prepping, the ability to make a delicious and nutritious meal in under 30 minutes is a huge advantage.
Flavor Infusion
Cooking all the ingredients together in one pot allows the flavors to meld and infuse into each other. In this recipe, the chicken, vegetables, and noodles all absorb the flavors of the sauce, creating a dish that’s rich in taste without requiring extra seasonings or complex cooking techniques. One-pot meals often have a depth of flavor that’s hard to achieve with more complicated methods.
Batch Cooking for Meal Prep
If you’re looking to prepare meals in advance for the week, this recipe is ideal for batch cooking. The ingredients can be prepped ahead of time, and the dish can be made in larger quantities to store for future meals. You can easily refrigerate or freeze the leftovers, making it a great option for meal prep and saving you time on busy days.
Conclusion
Easy Chicken Vermicelli Noodles is a perfect combination of convenience, flavor, and nutrition. With its high-protein chicken, fiber-rich vegetables, and gluten-free noodles, this dish provides a well-balanced and satisfying meal in just 20 minutes. It’s highly customizable, allowing you to adapt the recipe to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight, preparing a meal for the whole family, or looking for a delicious meal prep option, this dish has you covered. The one-pot nature of the recipe makes it not only easy to prepare but also quick to clean up afterward, leaving you with more time to enjoy your meal. Give this recipe a try, and experience how a simple, healthy dish can transform your weeknight dinners.