Hangover or not, this spicy and flavorful noodle dish will wake up your taste buds and satisfy your cravings. Wide rice noodles take center stage in this recipe, coated in a potent and spicy sauce infused with the aroma of fresh basil. We made sure to select the widest noodles available, soaking them in hot water until they reached the perfect pliability without becoming too limp. Our sauce, a harmonious blend of soy sauce for depth, lime juice for a sweet-tart tang, dark brown sugar for rich flavor, and chili-garlic sauce for heat, provided the perfect balance of flavors. Tossing the noodles in the sauce over high heat allowed them to absorb the flavors and finish cooking, while also thickening the sauce. To make this dish more substantial, we added tender slices of chicken, quickly stir-fried for a satisfying protein boost. Prepare to indulge in this tantalizing noodle dish that will leave you craving more. Remember, there’s no need to substitute other types of noodles—rice noodles are the star of this show.
INGREDIENTS:
- 12 ounces (¼-inch-wide) dried flat rice noodles
- 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon plus ½ cup soy sauce
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup lime juice (3 limes), plus lime wedges for serving
- ¼ cup Asian chili-garlic sauce
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ head napa cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces (6 cups)
- 1½ cups coarsely chopped fresh Thai basil or cilantro
- 4 scallions, sliced thin on bias
PREPARATIONS:
- Cover noodles with very hot tap water in a large bowl and stir to separate. Let the noodles soak until softened, pliable, and limp but not fully tender, for about 35 to 40 minutes. Drain the noodles.
- In a bowl, toss the sliced chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ½ cup soy sauce, dark brown sugar, lime juice, and chili-garlic sauce. Set the sauce aside.
- Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring for 1 minute. Stir and continue to cook until the chicken is nearly cooked through about 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a bowl.
- Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the now-empty skillet and heat over high heat until just smoking. Add the cabbage and cook, stirring often, until it develops brown spots, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the cabbage to the bowl with the chicken.
- Wipe the now-empty skillet clean with paper towels, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the drained rice noodles and the soy sauce mixture to the skillet. Cook, tossing gently, until the sauce thickens and coats the noodles evenly, and the noodles are tender, for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken-vegetable mixture and the chopped basil. Cook until the chicken is warmed through, for about 1 minute. Sprinkle with scallions and serve with lime wedges.
YIELD: This recipe serves 4 people.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Do not substitute other types of noodles for rice noodles.
TIPS:
- Customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili-garlic sauce used.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the dish before serving for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
- Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas to add more variety and color.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 32g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 1800mg
Get ready to indulge in a spicy and flavorful hangover cure that doesn’t actually contain any alcohol. This enticing noodle dish features wide rice noodles bathed in a potent and savory sauce with the aromatic essence of basil. By selecting the widest rice noodles available and giving them a quick soak, we achieved the perfect texture for our dish. The combination of soy sauce, lime juice, dark brown sugar, and chili-garlic sauce provided a harmonious blend of flavors that coated the noodles to perfection. Slices of tender chicken, stir-fried until nearly cooked through, added heartiness and substance to the dish. This satisfying and tasty noodle creation is a true delight. Remember, the key is to stick with rice noodles to maintain the authenticity of the dish. Enjoy every bite of this spicy and flavorful treat that will surely satisfy your cravings
