Stir-Fried Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Chicken and Fresh Herbs
A flavorful Vietnamese vermicelli bowl combining tender lemongrass chicken stir-fried with garlic and served over vermicelli noodles with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts. This vietnamese-inspired rice & grains ready in about 35 minutes pairs vermicelli rice noodles, finely minced lemongrass stalk, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz vermicelli rice noodles
- 1 lb, boneless, skinless, thinly sliced chicken thighs
- 1, finely minced lemongrass stalk
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 1/2, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup, chopped roasted peanuts
- 1 lime, cut into wedges lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 8 oz vermicelli rice noodles in warm water for 20 minutes until softened, then drain.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced chicken thighs with 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp sugar. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and slightly caramelized.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, rinse and drain noodles, then briefly toss them in hot water for 30 seconds to warm. Drain well.
- Step 5: Divide noodles into 4 bowls. Top each with the stir-fried lemongrass chicken, 1 julienned carrot, 1/2 sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts over each bowl and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over before eating.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Chicken and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Stir-Fried Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Chicken and Fresh Herbs?
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 vermicelli rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Chicken and Fresh Herbs?
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 Stir-Fried Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Chicken and Fresh Herbs 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 Stir-Fried Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Chicken and Fresh Herbs?
Vietnamese rice & grains 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.