Chicken and Herb Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A refreshing bowl combining tender poached chicken, rice vermicelli, and a vibrant mix of fresh herbs, dressed with a classic Vietnamese dipping sauce. This Vietnamese-inspired healthy bowl recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, water, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2, skinless and boneless chicken breasts
6 cups water
2-inch piece, sliced ginger
3, smashed garlic cloves
8 oz rice vermicelli noodles
1 cup bean sprouts
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup Thai basil leaves
4 leaves, torn lettuce leaves
1 small, julienned cucumber
1 medium, julienned carrot
3 tbsp lime juice
3 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup water (for sauce)
1 tsp chopped fresh chili

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Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot, combine 6 cups water with 2-inch sliced ginger and 3 smashed garlic cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat, then add 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Step 2: Remove chicken and set aside to cool. Strain broth and reserve for another use or discard.
Step 3: Soak 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles in warm water for 15 minutes until soft, then drain.
Step 4: Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch noodles for 30 seconds to 1 minute until tender, then drain well.
Step 5: Thinly slice the cooled chicken breasts.
Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lime juice, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tsp chopped fresh chili until sugar dissolves to make Nuoc Cham sauce.
Step 7: Divide 4 torn lettuce leaves, 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/4 cup mint leaves, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup Thai basil, 1 small julienned cucumber, and 1 medium julienned carrot among 4 bowls.
Step 8: Add drained vermicelli noodles and sliced chicken on top. Drizzle with Nuoc Cham sauce before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken and Herb Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken and Herb Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken and Herb Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken and Herb Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicken and Herb Vermicelli Bowl with Nuoc Cham?

Vietnamese healthy bowls like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.