Chicken Pancit Bihon (Filipino Noodles)

My great-niece celebrated her 5th birthday two Saturdays ago. Her parents hosted a birthday party at their house with families, close friends and some “little ones” attending. The theme’s party was Doc Mc Stuffins, a famous children’s television series. Almost everything in the house had pictures of the characters from that show, from the table napkins and paper plates to the balloons and pinata. There were lots of food and goodies for kids and adults alike. I brought everyone’s favorites; pineapple glazed ham and pan de sal. In addition, I brought pancit bihon, a popular Filipino noodles, which is a must have dish for a birthday celebration. This pancit bihon recipe is simpler and has fewer ingredients compared to the one I shared two years ago. It only consists of chicken and some vegetables, familiar ingredients that I feel will appeal, even to the fussy eaters. Everyone loved these noodles; it was delicious, tasty and satisfying. Good thing I had some during the party; there was no more left to take home!

Cooking Tips

To achieve the best texture for your pancit bihon, soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. This helps them soften without becoming mushy. When stir-frying, make sure your pan is hot enough to keep the noodles from sticking together. Toss the noodles gently but quickly to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce and flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Pancit bihon is often served with a side of lemon or calamansi wedges. These citrus fruits add a nice zing that complements the dish. Consider pairing it with a fresh side salad or some grilled meat for a complete meal. Leftover pancit also makes a great lunch the next day, just reheat it in a skillet to bring back its original texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of noodle?

You can use other types of noodles like egg noodles or even soba if you can’t find rice vermicelli. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary, so check the package instructions.

What vegetables can I substitute?

Feel free to swap in your favorite veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, or even bok choy. Just make sure to cut them into similar sizes for even cooking.

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a pan with a splash of water to keep the noodles from drying out.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken and veggies ahead of time and store them separately. Just cook the noodles and combine everything right before serving for the best texture.

What’s a good side dish to serve with pancit bihon?

Pancit bihon goes great with a side of lumpia or a refreshing salad. A squeeze of lemon or calamansi on top adds a nice citrus kick, too!

Chicken Pancit Bihon (Filipino Noodles)

Liza Agbanlog

Pancit Bihon is a popular Filipino noodle dish. This version consists of chicken and a mix of vegetables.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Filipino

Servings 10 servings

Calories 232 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 500 g rice vermicelli
• 8 dried shitake mushrooms
• 1 bone-in chicken breast
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 shallot , chopped
• ¼ lb green beans , trimmed and thinly sliced diagonally
• ¼ lb snow peas , trimmed
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• ½ cup julienned carrots
• 2 cups sliced cabbage (I used napa cabbage)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• Fish sauce or salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Soak the rice vermicelli in warm water for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.
• Soak the shitake mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes. Squeeze out the excess water. Discard the stems and thinly slice the caps. Set aside.
• Put chicken breast in a saucepan; put enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil, add salt and then cook over medium high heat for 15 minutes. Using two forks, tear off the meat from the bones. Discard the bones, set the meat aside and reserve the chicken broth.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté shallot for a minute or until soft. Add mushrooms, green beans, snow peas, celery and carrots; sauté for 5 minutes.
• Add the cabbage, soy sauce, oyster sauce and chicken; sauté for another 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the reserved broth and drained rice vermicelli; stir for 3-5 minutes or until flavors and ingredients are well blended, adding more reserved liquid if noodles are too dry. Adjust seasonings by adding fish sauce or salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Transfer to a platter and serve with a sprinkling of lemon juice.
• Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 7gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 1120mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1347IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg

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