If you’re craving a dish that sings with vibrant flavors and textures, the Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe is an absolute winner. This meal brings together tender chicken, silky rice noodles, and a tangy, savory sauce that is bursting with character. Every bite feels like a celebration in your mouth, while the fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts add just the right balance to keep it exciting. Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or a dish that impresses guests with little fuss, this recipe has your back with simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Let me walk you through how to make this delightful meal your new favorite in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe lies in its simplicity and fresh ingredients. Each element plays a key role, from the soft rice noodles that soak up flavor, to the crisp veggies and punchy sauces that bring everything alive.
- Rice noodles: These provide the perfect, silky base that keeps the dish light yet satisfying.
- Olive oil: A subtle touch that ensures the chicken cooks evenly without sticking.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Tender, juicy pieces that absorb the sauce beautifully.
- Garlic: Adds a fragrant, savory depth that wakes up the entire dish.
- Hoisin sauce: Brings a sweet, complex flavor that balances the salty and tangy components.
- Fish sauce: A little umami magic that makes the stir fry truly authentic.
- Soy sauce: Adds saltiness and richness that complements the hoisin perfectly.
- Lime juice: Injects a fresh, bright acidity that lifts the whole plate.
- Persian cucumber: Crunchy and refreshing, it adds texture and a cool contrast.
- Mint: A handful of fresh mint brings an herbal brightness that’s simply irresistible.
- Carrot: Whether grated or julienned, it adds sweetness and vibrant color.
- Scallions: Green parts sliced thinly provide mild oniony zest without overpowering.
- Chopped peanuts: For that satisfying crunch and nutty flavor, essential finishing touch.
- Red pepper flakes: Sprinkle to taste for a gentle kick or a fiery punch.
- Lime wedges: Ready to squeeze for an extra burst of citrus as you eat.
How to Make Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Rice Noodles
Start by boiling a pot of water and cooking the rice noodles according to the package instructions until they’re just tender. Avoid overcooking because you want them to stay a little firm so they don’t turn mushy later in the stir fry.
Step 2: Prepare Your Sauce and Garnishes
While the noodles are cooking, mix the hoisin sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice in a small bowl. This combination creates a harmonious balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that will coat your chicken beautifully. Chop and prep the cucumber, mint, carrot, scallions, and peanuts so you are ready to go when it’s time to assemble.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat, then add the bite-sized chicken pieces. Cook them for about 5 minutes, stirring often to ensure all sides get a golden sear. This step locks in juiciness and builds the flavor base through caramelization.
Step 4: Add the Flavorful Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the pan and stir well to coat every morsel. Keep cooking for another couple of minutes, stirring regularly until the chicken is cooked through. The sauce will thicken as it warms, intensifying those delicious flavors. Just be careful not to overcook your chicken so it stays tender.
Step 5: Combine Noodles and Chicken
Drain your noodles and toss them into the pan with the chicken and sauce. Using tongs makes it easy to mix everything thoroughly so the noodles soak up that fantastic sauce. At this point, you can either stir in the fresh garnishes or save them for sprinkling on top when plating.
Step 6: Ready to Enjoy
Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal or chill it to enjoy as a refreshing noodle salad. No matter how you eat it, the Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe delivers a burst of flavors and textures that makes every bite a joy.
How to Serve Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes like chopped mint, crunchy peanuts, sliced scallions, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes add texture and brightness right at the last moment. These toppings keep each bite fresh and exciting, ensuring your stir fry never feels bland.
Side Dishes
This dish stands strong on its own but pairs wonderfully with a simple side like steamed bok choy or a crisp Asian slaw. If you want something heartier, steamed dumplings or a light miso soup would round out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the stir fry in individual lettuce cups for a hand-held experience or pile it high in colorful bowls for a vibrant, inviting presentation. Garnish with extra lime wedges so everyone can customize their zing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The noodles will soak up the sauce more as time passes, so you might want to add a splash of water or lime juice when reheating to lighten it back up.
Freezing
While this recipe is best fresh, you can freeze leftover chicken and sauce separately from the noodles. Freeze in airtight containers for up to two months. Avoid freezing the garnishes to preserve their fresh crunch.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. Stir frequently and add a bit of water or broth to keep the noodles from drying out. Add fresh garnishes after reheating to revive brightness.
FAQs
Can I use different noodles in this Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe?
Absolutely! If rice noodles aren’t your thing, you can try thin spaghetti, soba, or even udon noodles. Just keep in mind cooking times and textures differ slightly, so adjust accordingly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To keep this dish gluten-free, opt for gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and ensure your hoisin sauce is labeled gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free and safe.
Can I substitute chicken with another protein?
Definitely! Shrimp, tofu, or beef strips all work perfectly with the sauce and noodles in this recipe. Just adjust cooking times so your protein is perfectly cooked without overdoing it.
How spicy is this dish?
The heat level is totally up to you. The recipe includes red pepper flakes to add a gentle kick, but you can omit them or add more depending on your spice preference.
What’s the best way to prep the vegetables for this recipe?
Freshness is key, so chop your cucumber, mint, scallions, and carrot just before serving to maintain their crispness. Using techniques like julienning or spiralizing your carrot adds both texture and a beautiful presentation.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe is one of those dishes that feels special without requiring a ton of time or complicated steps. It’s bright, flavorful, and satisfying with every forkful. I hope you give it a try soon—it might just become your go-to weeknight dinner or a dish you proudly serve to friends and family with a smile.
Print
Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A vibrant and flavorful Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles, combining tender chicken, crisp fresh vegetables, and a tangy, savory sauce. This quick and easy dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a light lunch and can be enjoyed hot or cold as a refreshing noodle salad.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 1/2 pound rice noodles
Protein & Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Garnishes & Vegetables
- 1 Persian (mini) cucumber, chopped or julienned
- 1 handful mint, chopped
- 1 small carrot, grated, spiralized, or julienned
- Scallions (green parts), chopped, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Boil a pot of water and cook the rice noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce and Garnishes: In a small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Prepare the garnish ingredients: chop the cucumber, mint, scallions, grate or julienne the carrot, and chop peanuts.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and chicken pieces, stir frequently, and cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is mostly cooked through.
- Add Sauce and Finish Cooking: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Stir well to coat and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly. Be careful not to overcook.
- Toss Noodles and Garnish: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss using tongs until they are evenly coated with sauce and mixed with the chicken. Add the cucumber, carrot, mint, scallions, peanuts, and red pepper flakes either directly to the pan or serve them as garnish on each plate.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot, garnished with lime wedges for extra zest. Alternatively, enjoy the dish cold as a refreshing noodle salad.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- If rice noodles are not available, you can substitute with other thin noodles like vermicelli, but cooking times may vary.
- This dish can be easily customized by adding other vegetables such as bell peppers or snap peas if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored refrigerated and enjoyed cold or reheated gently.
