Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken

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Looking for a vibrant, healthy meal that bursts with flavor and comes together in just 30 minutes? Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken offers tender marinated chicken over fresh veggies and vermicelli noodles, all brought to life with a savory Nuoc Cham sauce. It’s simple to assemble, loaded with nutritional color, and perfect for busy families or entertaining friends.

Lemongrass, a classic Vietnamese ingredient, is the hero of this recipe, infusing chicken with citrusy, aromatic notes. Pair it with quick-cooking vermicelli noodles, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty sauce, and you’ve got a meal that satisfies any craving for Asian-inspired comfort food.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Chicken thigh/breast	600–800g / 1.2–1.6lb
Lemongrass (white part)	1 stalk, bruised, sliced
Garlic cloves	2, finely chopped
Lime juice	2 tbsp
Fish sauce	2 tbsp
Soy sauce	1 tbsp (light/all purpose)
Brown sugar	2 tbsp
Vegetable oil	1 tbsp

Nuoc Cham Sauce
Fish sauce	1/4 cup
Rice vinegar	4 tbsp
White sugar	2 tbsp
Water	1/2 cup
Garlic cloves	2, finely chopped
Red chili	1, finely chopped
Lime juice	3 tbsp

Noodle Bowl
Vegetable oil	1/2 tbsp
Vermicelli noodles	200 g / 7 oz, dried
Carrots	2, julienned
Cucumbers	2, julienned
Iceberg lettuce	5 cups, finely sliced
Bean sprouts	3 cups
Mint leaves	handful
Cilantro/coriander	handful
Red chili (garnish)	sliced (optional)
Lime wedges	optional

Equipment You’ll Need

• Frying pans: Buy on Amazon
• Cutting board: Buy on Amazon
• Chef’s knives: Buy on Amazon
• Mixing bowls: Buy on Amazon
• Measuring cups and spoon set: Buy on Amazon
• Colander strainer basket: Buy on Amazon
• Kitchen utensils: Buy on Amazon
• Air fryer (optional for cooking chicken): Buy on Amazon
• Pots: Buy on Amazon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Marinate and Prepare Chicken

1. Combine chicken and all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan (or use an air fryer or oven for convenience). Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off lemongrass bits.
3. Cook chicken until golden brown on both sides about 6–8 minutes total. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

Make Nuoc Cham Sauce

1. Combine fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, garlic, chili, and lime juice in a small bowl.
2. Mix well until sugar dissolves. Adjust to taste and let sit 20 minutes.

Assemble the Bowls

1. Soak vermicelli noodles in hot water per package instructions (typically about 3 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. To serve individually: Place noodles in a bowl. Top with carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, cilantro, and chicken. Garnish with chili and serve with lime wedges.
3. DIY method: Arrange chicken, veggies, herbs, noodles, and Nuoc Cham in separate bowls for guests to build their own.

Tips for Success

• Use skinless, boneless chicken thigh for best flavor, or swap with breast, pork, or tofu for variety.​
• Prepare lemongrass by peeling tough outer layers and bruising the white part for optimal aroma.
• Mix and match veggies try bell peppers, snow peas, or cabbage.
• Air fryer shortcut: Marinate chicken as directed, air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes for a crisp result.
• Double Nuoc Cham batch for extra dipping or salads.
• Serve with chilled noodles for best texture.

FAQs About Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls

What noodles work best for this recipe?

Rice vermicelli are traditional and cook fast. Substitute with glass noodles or spiralized veggies for a lighter option.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap chicken for marinated tofu or tempeh and use plant-based fish sauce for authentic flavor.

How do I store leftovers?

Store chicken, sauce, and noodles separately in airtight containers in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently and reassemble when ready to serve.

What equipment do I need to make this recipe?

A frying pan or air fryer, sharp chef’s knife, colander, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and utensils are helpful. Shop our recommended tools above for kitchen upgrades!

Can I prepare this for meal prep?

Yes, portion out ingredients into containers, keep Nuoc Cham separate, and assemble just before eating to maintain freshness.

Enjoy making this beautiful Vietnamese Noodles with Lemongrass Chicken bursting with flavor, color, and texture! Feeling inspired? Tag your bowl on Pinterest or Facebook and let us know how it turned out.

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