This quick and easy stir-fry comes together in under 20 minutes with a flavour-packed sauce, tender chicken and fresh Thai basil. A drizzle of chilli oil vinegar at the end adds a little extra zing to these Drunken Noodles!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time8 minutesmins
Total Time18 minutesmins
Ingredients
STIR-FRY SAUCE
3tbspoyster sauce
2tbsplight soy sauce
2tbspdark soy sauce – can be substituted with tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
1tbsprice wine vinegar, or white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
½tbspfish sauce, recommended, but can be left out completely
1tbspbrown sugar
2tbspwater
STIR-FRY
200gdried wide rice noodles
1tbspsesame oil
500gboneless, skinless chicken breast, finely sliced (5 mm/¼ inch thick)
1brown onion, sliced
1tbspfreshly grated garlic
1carrot, julienned
1bunch bok choy, shredded (1.5 cm/½ inch slices)
4spring onion (scallion) stems, sliced into 3 cm (1¼ inch) batons
50gThai basil leaves, leaves picked (can also be substituted with regular basil)
TO SERVE
Chilli oil vinegar (see note 1), or plain rice wine vinegar
Crushed roasted peanuts (optional)
Instructions
Combine the sauce ingredients – In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the stir-fry sauce.
Cook the noodles – Cook the rice noodles as per the packet instructions, until just pliable. Most instructions suggest cooking them in boiling water for 6–8 minutes, which is too long (cooking for too long equals broken, mushy noodles!). Boil them until they are just pliable (mine took 3 minutes), then rinse with cold water before draining. They will finish cooking in the pan.
Cook the chicken – Heat the sesame oil in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan over high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until it just starts to change colour.
Add the veggies, noodles and sauce – Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the carrot, bok choy, spring onion, partially cooked rice noodles and the stir-fry sauce. Toss using tongs until well combined. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables have softened slightly, and the noodles are coated and have absorbed some of the lovely sauce.
Remove from the heat and stir through the Thai basil leaves.
Serve – Divide the stir-fry among serving bowls. Top with the chilli oil vinegar or rice wine vinegar and crushed roasted peanuts, if using.
Notes
Note 1 – Don’t skip the vinegar! It adds a burst of freshness and funk to the end dish. Quickly prepare the vinegar by mixing equal quantities of rice wine vinegar and your favourite chilli oil or chilli oil crisp.
Make ahead
You can make the stir-fry sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also slice the chicken and veggies a day ahead and refrigerate them in airtight containers. When it’s time to cook, everything will come together quickly. If prepping the noodles ahead of time, store them in a sealed container with a little oil to prevent sticking.
Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to loosen the noodles as they warm through. The noodles will soften and break apart when reheated but they will not be mushy. Not suitable to freeze.
Nutrition Facts
Drunken Noodles
Amount per Serving
Calories
463
% Daily Value*
Fat
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
80
mg
27
%
Sodium
2486
mg
108
%
Potassium
1252
mg
36
%
Carbohydrates
60
g
20
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
9
g
10
%
Protein
36
g
72
%
Vitamin A
12748
IU
255
%
Vitamin C
104
mg
126
%
Calcium
299
mg
30
%
Iron
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.