Description
A vibrant, quick, and colorful rice noodle stir-fry featuring tender flat rice noodles, crisp vegetables, and your choice of protein. This easy-to-make dish captures authentic Asian flavors with a savory soy-sesame sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 8 oz flat rice noodles (medium-width preferred)
Vegetables
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced (red and yellow for color)
- 1 cup broccoli florets, bite-sized
- 1 cup carrots, thin diagonal slices
Protein
- 1 cup protein of choice (tofu, chicken, or shrimp)
Sauce & Oils
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (e.g., Kikkoman)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (avocado or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Garnish (Optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the rice noodles and cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly chewy. Drain noodles in a colander and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
- Prep Vegetables & Protein: While noodles cook, slice bell peppers into 1/4-inch strips, cut broccoli into small florets, and slice carrots thinly on the diagonal. Grate fresh ginger. If using chicken, dice into 3/4-inch pieces; if tofu, press for 10 minutes then cube; if shrimp, peel and devein.
- Cook Protein: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon cooking oil. When shimmering, add protein and cook until done: tofu 5-6 minutes until golden, shrimp 3-4 minutes, chicken 7-8 minutes reaching 165°F internal temperature. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: Increase heat to medium-high; add remaining 1 tablespoon cooking oil to skillet. Add carrots first and cook 2 minutes, then add broccoli, bell peppers, and grated ginger. Stir-fry 3-5 minutes until vegetables are vibrant with slight char marks but still crisp.
- Toss Together: Return protein to skillet, then add drained noodles and soy sauce. Using tongs, toss for 2 minutes until well combined and heated through. Add reserved noodle cooking water if mixture is dry.
- Finish & Serve: Drizzle with sesame oil, toss once more to incorporate flavor. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- Do not overcook vegetables; keep them crisp-tender for best texture.
- Prepare all ingredients before starting to cook as stir-frying is fast-paced.
- Use medium-high heat for effective stir-frying and to get slight char.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For reheating, add 1-2 tablespoons water and heat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave with a damp paper towel to avoid dryness.
- Feel free to swap vegetable and protein choices based on preference and availability.
- Add chili flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian, Asian-Inspired
Keywords: rice noodle stir-fry, Asian recipe, weeknight dinner, easy stir-fry, healthy noodles, tofu stir-fry, chicken stir-fry, shrimp stir-fry, vegetable stir-fry
