Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls {Gluten-Free!}

Name: Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls {Gluten-Free!}
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1/2 lb chicken breasts; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 lb rice noodles; 1/2 stalk lemongrass, minced up; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup matchstick cut carrots; 1/2 each red, green and yellow bell pepper, diced; 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free); 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce; 1 tbsp Sriracha; 1 tbsp chopped peanuts (more for garnish); 1/2 cup chopped cilantro; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp lime juice; 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free); 1/2 stalk lemongrass, minced; 2 cloves garlic minced; 1 tbsp ginger, minced; 1 tsp turmeric; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp coriander

These Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls are a delicious gluten-free lunch or dinner idea made with rice noodles, grilled chicken and veggies!

Ingredients and substitutions

Chicken breasts – chicken breasts are the leaner option but you can use chicken thighs instead.
Olive oil – or any neutral flavoured oil such as sunflower or canola oil.
Rice noodles – rice noodles are the base of this dish, but if you don't have any on hand, vermicelli noodles will add the same effect.
Lemongrass – if you can’t find lemongrass stalks, opt for a lemongrass paste or use lemon zest for a similar flavour.
Garlic – fresh garlic is recommended but feel free to use garlic paste or jarred minced garlic instead.
Carrots – leave the carrots out or substitute for another veggie of your choice.
Bell peppers – use any combination of green, red and yellow bell peppers.
Soy sauce – coconut aminos or tamari are the best substitutes for soy sauce.
Sweet chili sauce – the sweet chili sauce adds flavour and spice to the dish. If you're sensitive to heat, feel free to skip the sauce.
Sriracha – see the same notes as for the sweet chili sauce.
Chopped peanuts – these add a nice texture but you can always leave them out if you’re not a fan.
Cilantro – try parsley or basil if you don’t like cilantro.

Chicken marinade

Olive oil – see substitution notes above.
Lime juice – if you don't have any limes, opt for lemon juice instead.
Soy sauce – see substitution notes above.
Lemongrass – see substitution notes above.
Garlic – see substitution notes above.
Ginger – fresh ginger is recommended but feel free to use ginger paste or jarred minced ginger.
Turmeric – curry powder or saffron would be a great alternative here.
Chili powder – chili powder will add spice and heat to your marinade, but if you don't have any you can skip this step or replace it with paprika for a similar flavour.
Coriander – instead of coriander, you can use cumin.

How to make lemongrass chicken bowls

Mix together the marinade.
Marinate then grill the chicken.
Cook the rice noodles.
Sauté the veggies until tender.
Combine the sauce, noodles and veggies.
Stir in the chicken and serve!

Baking vs. grilling the chicken

If you're debating on whether to grill or bake your chicken, there are some things to think about! Grilling your chicken gives the meat a bold flavour while allowing the excess fat to drip off the meat, making it a lower-calorie option. On the other hand, baking your chicken will create a more delicate taste and texture.

It's important to note that even though grilling is seen as a lower-calorie technique, you can still create healthy dishes when baking your chicken – as long as you skip out on using excess oils and butter during the process!

Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is lemongrass?

Lemongrass isn’t actually spicy when cooked! It has a lemony flavour with a slight hint of ginger, which goes perfectly with the chicken, rice noodles and veggies in this dish.

How many calories are in this recipe?

These lemongrass chicken noodle bowls have 422 calories per serving.

What should you serve on the side?

The great thing about these bowls is that you have all the components of a meal in one with protein, veggies and rice noodles. If you want to serve something else on the side, I’d recommend something light such as a side salad. You’ve really got everything you need in one delicious bowl!

Storing and reheating

To store these amazing dishes for lunch the next day or meal prep them for dinner, prepare your bowls as you would without your garnishes (lime and cilantro) and store them in airtight glass containers for up to 3 days.

When you're ready to eat your lemongrass chicken bowls, warm them up in the microwave or heat them up on the stovetop, stirring frequently. Top with your chosen garnishes and enjoy!

Freezing the chicken

To freeze any leftover chicken for future meals, place your chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe Ziploc bag. You will want to make sure it’s airtight to avoid freezer burn. Note: When you're placing your chicken in the freezer, make sure it has cooled down entirely first. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

The night before you’re ready to use your chicken, stick it in the fridge to defrost overnight. Then, you can reheat it in the oven or in the microwave and use for whatever dish you want.

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Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this noodle dish into your weekly lunches.
I get all my chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen so I always have chicken on hand!