Vietnamese noodle & smoked chicken salad

Vietnamese noodle & smoked chicken salad combines tender rice noodles, smoked chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs with a tangy lime dressing. This refreshing dish is perfect for a light meal or side.

14 Dec 2025
Cook time 0 min
Prep time 25 min

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rice noodles
2 chicken breasts
2 carrots
1 red pepper
2 red hot chili peppers
1 cup mung beans
1/2 cup coriander leaves
1/2 cup spearmint
1/3 cup lime juice
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp fish sauce

Vietnamese noodle & smoked chicken salad is a delightful and refreshing dish that combines the unique flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or a substantial side dish, bringing together smoked chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs with a tangy dressing.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Rice Noodles:
- Bring a pot of water to boil.
- Add the rice noodles and cook according to the package instructions, typically about 3-5 minutes until tender.
- Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

2. Cook the Chicken Breasts:
- If your chicken breasts are already smoked, simply shred them into bite-sized pieces.
- If using raw chicken breasts, you can either poach, grill, or pan-fry them until fully cooked, then shred. To poach: bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer and cook the chicken for about 15 minutes until opaque and cooked through.

3. Prepare the Vegetables:
- Peel and grate the carrots.
- Thinly slice the red pepper.
- Finely chop the red hot chili peppers. Adjust the amount of chili to taste based on your preference for spice.
- Rinse and drain the mung beans if using canned, or if using fresh, rinse them thoroughly.

4. Make the Dressing:
- In a bowl, mix together the lime juice, sugar, and fish sauce until the sugar is fully dissolved. This will be the tangy and savory dressing for the salad.

5. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked rice noodles, shredded chicken, grated carrots, sliced red pepper, chopped red hot chili peppers, and mung beans.
- Add the roughly chopped coriander and spearmint leaves.
- Pour the lime juice, sugar, and fish sauce dressing over the salad.
- Toss everything together gently but thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are well-coated with the dressing.

6. Serve:
- Divide the salad into serving bowls.
- Garnish with additional chopped coriander and spearmint if desired.
- Enjoy your refreshing Vietnamese Noodle & Smoked Chicken Salad!

This Vietnamese noodle & smoked chicken salad is not only a visual treat but also a burst of flavors in every bite. It's easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, offering a healthy and delicious way to enjoy a meal. Give it a try and experience the refreshing taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

Vietnamese noodle & smoked chicken salad FAQ:

What is the best way to store leftovers of this salad?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The ingredients may become soggy due to the dressing, so consider storing the dressing separately and adding it just before serving.

Can I substitute the rice noodles with another type of noodle?

Yes, you can substitute rice noodles with other Asian noodles like glass noodles or vermicelli, though cooking times may vary. Make sure to adjust based on the specific noodle used.

How can I adjust the spiciness of the salad?

Adjust the spiciness by varying the number of red hot chili peppers used. You can omit them entirely or use milder peppers for less heat.

What can I use instead of fish sauce for a vegetarian option?

For a vegetarian option, substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or a soy-based fish sauce alternative to maintain umami flavor.

How long does it take to cook the chicken breasts?

If using raw chicken breasts, it typically takes about 15 minutes to poach until fully cooked, or 8-10 minutes if grilling or pan-frying, depending on thickness.

Cooking Tips:

- Soak the rice noodles in warm water for about 20 minutes or until they are soft. Drain and set aside.

- Smoke the chicken breasts according to your preference, or you can use ready-smoked chicken to save time. Thinly slice the smoked chicken.

- Julienne the carrots and red pepper to ensure they blend well with the noodles and other salad ingredients.

- For a milder salad, remove the seeds from the red hot chili peppers before slicing them.

- Combine the lime juice, sugar, and fish sauce in a small bowl, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved to create a balanced dressing.

- Mix all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl, ensuring the vegetables, mung beans, and herbs are evenly distributed with the noodles.

- Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving, and toss everything together to ensure all the ingredients are well coated.

- Garnish with additional coriander leaves and spearmint for an extra touch of freshness and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

4 Servings
Calories 170kcal
Protein 16g
Carbohydrates 24g
Fiber 2.34g
Sugar 12g
Fat 1.91g

Vietnamese noodle & smoked chicken salad