This make-ahead rice noodle recipe, packed with chicken and asparagus, can be made in 20 minutes. It's one of my family's favorite meals any time of the year! Switch up the vegetables and meat to suit your taste buds.
I came into the kitchen the other day and found the backside of a 10-year old pointed at me from inside our pantry. His head was barely visible as he rummaged, grunting and sighing, clearly looking for something specific.
"What are you up to, T?" I asked.
"I can't find the rice noodles! I wanted to make lunch for everyone."
Well, that was music to my ears. And I could even overlook the fact that half of the pantry ingredients were on the floor or toppled over on the shelves. I wish I could say that T was planning to put everything back in its rightful place, but that would be a downright lie. But what that boy lacks in tidiness (which I might as well admit he gets from me...it's only a matter of time before my mum leaves a comment here, outing me on my lifelong messiness), he makes up for in creativity and thoughtfulness.
We were out of rice noodles that day, which was rather unfortunate because I was dying to see what he would have come up with. Knowing him, it would have involved shrimp (a seafood lover, through and through) and red bell peppers, the latter simply because he loves chopping them.
A few nights before, I made this chicken, asparagus and carrot version, and while T loved the dish as a whole, he could have done without the asparagus. Not a fan. But asparagus is popping up everywhere and I couldn't resist using it in this noodle dish.
The beauty of rice noodle salads, besides coming together in 20 minutes or less, is that they can be made ahead of time and are incredibly versatile. Don't have asparagus or chicken? No problem. Substitute them with shrimp, beef or tofu, and veggies such as broccoli or spinach. It's a clear-out-the-fridge kind of dish. The best kind, really. Rice noodle soup falls in this category, too!
Rice noodles can be found in most grocery stores. For the chicken, feel free to use any kind of leftover chicken that you have in your fridge or the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken. Whenever I pull out chicken for a recipe, I typically poach a couple of extra chicken breasts so that I can have the meat on hand for easy meals like this one.
This one's for you, T. Well, minus the asparagus.
Other healthy asparagus recipes:
Roasted Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing
Asparagus Hummus
Printable Recipe
Rice Noodles with Chicken, Asparagus & Soy Ginger Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rice noodles I used brown rice noodles
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed & cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cooked skinless chicken breasts, shredded
- 1 red bell pepper seeded & thinly sliced
- 2 carrots cut into matchsticks
- 2 green onion thinly sliced
The Sauce:
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 4 teaspoons agave nectar
- ½ teaspoon chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Cook the rice noodles according to package directions. Add the asparagus in the last minute of cooking. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Add the chicken, red bell pepper, carrots and green onions to the noodles and asparagus.
- Add the sauce and toss to coat. Serve.
The Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, ginger, agave nectar and chili garlic sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Rose | The Clean Dish
Oooh you know the way to my heart! This look like my kind of dish! I'm totally impressed with your son for wanting to cook lunch for you. At that age, it would have never crossed my mind to cook for the family - wow! Job well done, on so many levels 😉
Paula-bell'alimento
I should know better than to come to your blog hungry. This looks incredible. Pinned xo
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Thank you for the recipe because I have some rice noodles that I have no idea what to do with! Looks amazing!
kellie | The Suburban Soapbox
We are total noodle freaks here....this is definitely going to make it on our rotation.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I was just talking to my husband about how much I love noodle dishes! I want to dig right into this!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
Sounds like you have passed on your passion for good food! What a delicious dish!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
I love this kind of a meal. You did a great job in make a tasty spiffy sauce for it too. It's great for leftovers that is for sure.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella)
That's sweet that he was trying to make lunch for everyone. I love rice noodles too, and adore dishes like this.
Lora @cakeduchess
That's so cute, Dara! I love when the kids get inspired and want to cook something. I think next time T may be making this or more for you. I just love rice noodles and I've been craving them recently every day. Wonderful spring addition of the asparagus!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
I laughed out loud when I saw you dedicate this recipe to T but without the asparagus. I was just thinking that my boys would love this recipe but 2 of them won't touch asparagus.