Quick Chicken & Lime Noodles

Note: In the video I halved the recipe to serve 1. The recipe below serves 2.

Quick Chicken & Lime Noodles

from 5 ingredients 10 minutes page 135.
serves 2

When I was at uni, 2 minute (ramen) noodles were a big staple. I hadn’t eaten them for years but decided to give them a go earlier in the year for a piece I was writing about simple noodle dishes. I was amazed how delicious they were when dressed up with a few Thai inspired ingredients. This version is lovely and fresh with lime and coriander (cilantro).

300g (10oz) minced (ground) chicken
2 packets 2 minute (ramen) noodles (150g / 6oz total)
4 tablespoons lime juice + lime halves, to serve
4 tablespoons fish sauce
1 bunch coriander (cilantro), leaves picked

1. Bring a medium saucepan salted water to the boil.

2. Heat a few tablespoons peanut or other vegetable oil in a large frying pan.

3. Stir fry chicken for a few minutes over a medium high heat until browned and cooked through.

4. Boil noodles for 2 minutes. Drain.

5. Toss noodles in with the chicken along with the lime juice and fish sauce. Cook for a minute or so.

6. Taste, season and serve with coriander (cilantro).

Variations

gluten-free – replace noodles with rice noodles – cook according to the packet directions.

vegetarian / vegan – replace chicken with crumbled tofu. And use soy sauce instead of the fish.

paleo / low carb – replace noodles with cauliflower ‘rice’.

no fish sauce? – replace with soy sauce.

different herbs – replace coriander (cilantro) with basil, mint or parsley.

carb lovers / more substantial – add more noodles.

Problem Solving Guide

too dry – drizzle with a little more lime juice.

too salty – sounds like excess fish sauce. Try to balance with a little more lime juice.

chicken sticking to the pan – either add a little more oil or wait until the chicken is cooked, the lime juice and fish sauce will help lift the crust once the pan is off the heat.

noodles sticking together – 2 minute noodles tend to like to stick together, so if you’d prefer more individualist noodle, try udon noodles, rice noodles or even some vermicelli pasta. A little extra oil can ease the problem.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

minced (ground) chicken – freeze it.

noodles / fish sauce = keep it in the pantry.

lime – will keep for months in a plastic bag in the fridge.

coriander (cilantro) – best to use for another meal. Can be frozen but will wilt when defrosted.

Leftover Potential

Not great – these noodles tend to go gluggy as they cool. But it will keep in the fridge for a few days.