The trick in this one is the teaspoon of bicarb soda. You mix it through the diced chicken, leave it while you prep everything else, then rinse it off and dry it. That’s what stops chicken breast going tough and stringy in a hot pan.
The sauce is whisked in a cup out of things you probably already have, soy, sweet soy, oyster sauce, rice vinegar and a bit of cornflour to thicken it. Then it’s a bag of stir-fry vegetables and a packet of Hokkien noodles.
Twenty minutes, one pan, and it’s better than the version you’d pay for.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s a 20-minute dinner with one pan to wash, and the bicarb trick means cheap chicken breast comes out tender rather than chewy. The sauce is five things from the cupboard, so there’s no jar to buy. The bag of stir-fry vegetables means no chopping, and it feeds four at 372 calories a serve.
The Shortcut That Makes It Work
Pre-cut stir-fry vegetables and pre-cooked Hokkien noodles mean the only knife work is dicing the chicken, and both go in straight from the packet. Whisking your own sauce sounds like the slow way, but it’s one cup and a fork, and it’s cheaper than a jar.
Handy Tips
Don’t skip rinsing the bicarb off, and dry the chicken properly afterwards, because wet chicken steams instead of browning. Get the pan seriously hot before anything goes in. Have the sauce whisked and sitting there before you start cooking, because once the pan is going there’s no time to measure anything. Add the noodles and the sauce at the same time at the end and keep tossing until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
Make It Your Way
Chicken thigh works if you’d rather, and you can skip the bicarb step entirely with thigh since it stays tender anyway. A fried egg on top or a handful of cashews through it at the end both make it a bigger feed.
What To Serve With It
It’s a full dinner on its own. If you want more on the table, steamed greens or a plate of dumplings alongside does it.
Leftovers / How to Store It
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them in a hot pan rather than the microwave if you can, since the noodles come back better, and a splash of water helps loosen the sauce.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
Chicken Stir Fry
Prep Time 10 minutes 
Cook Time
10 minutes 
Total Time 20 minutes 
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix the chicken with bicarbonate of soda and set aside while you prep.
- Whisk together soy sauce, sweet soy, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, pepper, water, and cornflour to make your sauce.
- Rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold running water and pat it completely dry with paper towels.
- Heat a wok or frying pan until very hot. Add sesame oil then the chicken, sear until just sealed.
- Add garlic and ginger, stir well.
- Toss in vegetables and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Add noodles and pour over the sauce. Toss everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and veggies.
Nutrition
Video
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Don’t Forget to Share
Tried my Chicken Stir Fry recipe? I’d love to see how you used it. Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff, I love seeing your creations.
FAQs
What does the bicarb soda actually do?
It changes the surface of the meat so it stays tender in a hot pan instead of tightening up and going chewy. It’s the same thing takeaway shops do. Rinse it off well or you’ll taste it.
Can I use chicken thigh instead of breast?
Yes, and thigh is more forgiving, so you can skip the bicarb step altogether if that’s what you’re using.
Can I use dried noodles?
Yes, cook them per the packet first and drain them well before they go in. Fresh Hokkien noodles are just quicker because they only need loosening.
Is it spicy?
No. The only pepper in it is half a teaspoon, so it’s savoury rather than hot. Add chilli or chilli oil at the end for the adults.
Can I add different vegetables?
Anything that cooks fast works, so capsicum, broccoli, snow peas, carrot cut thin, or a bag of whatever mix is on special.
Do you wash off the bicarbonate soda?
Rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold running water and pat it completely dry with paper towels. I’ve added this step to the method.