Grilled chicken & noodles (Bun ga nuong)

Serve spiced chicken thigh patties with a caramel glaze on a bed of rice noodles and julienned carrots for a classic Vietnamese dish bursting with flavour

Prep:20 mins
Cook:10 mins

Serves 6
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 461
fat 6g
saturates 1g
carbs 74g
sugars 24g
fibre 2g
protein 26g
salt 2.6g

Ingredients

250g thin rice noodles
1 handful each dill, mint, coriander and Asian basil (optional)
2 carrots, peeled and julienned
sliced shallot, to serve
chopped roasted peanuts, to serve
1 garlic clove
3 small shallots
2 lemongrass stalks, lower third crushed, inner heart finely chopped
400g skinless boneless chicken thighs
3 tbsp palm sugar or soft brown sugar
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp oil, for brushing
2 tbsp palm sugar or caster sugar
1 tsp finely chopped ginger
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp fish sauce
125ml lime juice

Method

First, make the patties. In a food processor, blend the garlic, shallots and lemongrass until fine. Pour into a bowl and add the chicken thighs, 1 tbsp of the sugar, the fish sauce and a good amount of ground black pepper. Mix together well and divide into 18 patties. Roll and flatten, then place on a large baking tray. Brush with oil.
Heat the grill. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining sugar with 1 tbsp water, then remove from the heat. Grill the patties for 2 mins on one side until golden, then flip them over. Brush with the sugar-water mix and grill for 2 more mins or until golden and crisp. Remove and brush with more of the water. Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining all the ingredients with 2 tbsp hot water in a small bowl.
Soak the noodles following pack instructions until al dente, about 3-5 mins, then drain. Use scissors to cut into shorter pieces, then divide between 4 bowls. Top with the chicken patties, the herbs, carrots and a sprinkling of shallots and peanuts. Serve with the lime ginger dressing to pour over.