Saigon chicken vermicelli bowls with pickled carrots and nuoc cham dressing

In order to bring you the best organic produce, some ingredients may differ from those depicted.

Saigon chicken vermicelli bowls with pickled carrots and nuoc cham dressing

20-Minute Meal

Saigon chicken vermicelli bowls with pickled carrots and nuoc cham dressing

Dairy-Free, Spicy, Family-Friendly, Protein Plus

2 Servings, 650 Calories/Serving

20 Minutes

Bún (vermicelli rice noodles) and gà nướng (grilled chicken) team up with a third Vietnamese staple, tương đen (hoisin) for a delicious 20-minute meal.

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In your bag

1 bag serves 2 (2 bags serve 4)
Sunbasket is proud to source the organic ingredients indicated below. On the rare occasion we are unable to meet our organic promise, we'll put a note in your bag.
  • Chicken options:
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 6 ounces each)
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5 ounces each)
  • 2½ ounces hoisin sauce
  • 5 ounces vermicelli rice noodles
  • 2 ounces organic shredded carrots
  • Sunbasket nuoc cham (water - brown sugar - rice wine vinegar - fish sauce - lime juice - sambal oelek)
  • 1 wedge organic green or other cabbage (about 7 ounces)
  • ¼ cup dry-roasted cashews
  • 4 or 5 sprigs organic Thai or other fresh basil
Chef's Tip

Traditionally a dipping sauce, the dressing for these bowls, known as nước chấm in Vietnamese, is tailor-made for customizing. Feel free to adjust it to your liking by adding a sprinkling of sugar for a little more sweetness, another squeeze of lime for more brightness, or a splash of your favorite fish sauce for complexity.

Grill It

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill. Set the chicken on the grill directly over the heat and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition per serving

Calories 650, Total Fat 21g (27% DV), Sat. Fat 3.5g (18% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 110mg (37% DV), Sodium 690mg (30% DV), Total Carb. 84g (31% DV), Fiber 3g (11% DV), Total Sugars 20g (Incl. 18g Added Sugars, 36% DV), Protein 32g
Contains: Fish (anchovy), Tree Nuts (cashew), Wheat, Soybeans

Sodium does not include pantry salt; for reference, ⅛; teaspoon kosher salt per serving averages 240mg (10% DV). Not a significant source of trans fat. Packed in a facility that handles all major food allergens* and gluten.

*Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean Shellfish, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans, Sesame.

Instructions

2-serving instructions (4-serving modifications in red)

Wash produce before use

1

Marinate the chicken

  • Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel; season with salt and pepper. 

In a medium bowl, mix the hoisin sauce with 1 tablespoon [2TBL] water. Transfer half the hoisin sauce to a small bowl and set aside for serving.

Add the chicken to the medium bowl and turn to coat with the hoisin sauce. Let stand while you prepare the noodles and carrots. 

2

Cook the vermicelli rice noodles

Bring a medium sauce pot of water to a boil. Add the vermicelli rice noodles and cook until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water, then return to the pot and set aside.

While the water is heating and the noodles are cooking, prepare the rest of the meal. 

3

Pickle the carrots

In a small bowl, combine the carrots and 1 tablespoon [2 TBL] nuoc cham. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Let stand, stirring occasionally, while you prepare the rest of the meal. 

4

Cook the chicken

In a medium [large] frying pan over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon [2 TBL] oil until hot but not smoking. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side for thighs, 4 to 6 minutes per side for breasts. Transfer to a cutting board to cool slightly. Cut the chicken crosswise into ½-inch-thick slices. 

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the garnishes and dressing.

5

Prep the garnishes

  • Cut away any core from the cabbage; thinly slice the cabbage.
  • Using the bottom of a bowl or cup, lightly crush the cashews.
  • Strip the basil leaves from the stems. 

Serve

Transfer the vermicelli to individual bowls. Arrange the chicken, carrots, cabbage, cashews, and basil on top and serve with the remaining hoisin sauce and nuoc cham.

Kids Can!
  • Stir the hoisin sauce and water.
  • Stir the pickled carrots.
  • Crush the cashews.
  • Strip the basil leaves.