Pancit Bihon (Filipino Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Chicken)
Local name: Pancit bihon
In short: Rice vermicelli stir-fried with chicken, cabbage, carrots and green beans in a light soy and garlic sauce, a Filipino birthday and merienda favorite. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Pancit bihon is the thin rice noodle dish that appears at many Filipino birthdays, because long noodles stand for a long life. Rice vermicelli is soaked, then tossed in a wide pan with chicken, garlic, cabbage, carrots and green beans in a light sauce of soy sauce and chicken stock. It is quick to make, feeds a crowd and tastes best with a squeeze of calamansi over the top.
Instructions
- Soak the rice vermicelli in warm water for 10 minutes, until pliable but still firm, then drain well.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large wok or wide pan over high heat. Stir-fry the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, until no longer pink. Move it to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil, then the onion and garlic. Stir-fry for 1 minute, then add the carrots and green beans and cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the stock and soy sauce and bring to a boil. Add the pepper and the cabbage.
- Add the drained noodles in handfuls, tossing with tongs, and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, until the noodles have absorbed the liquid and are tender.
- Return the chicken to the pan and toss for 1 minute. Taste and add soy sauce if needed.
- Pile onto a platter, scatter the scallions over the top and serve with calamansi wedges.
Tips
- Soak the vermicelli only until it bends. It finishes cooking in the sauce, and over-soaked noodles turn mushy.
- Add the noodles in batches and toss them with tongs so they absorb the liquid evenly. If the pan looks dry before the noodles are soft, add a splash of hot stock or water.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between pancit bihon and pancit canton?
Bihon uses thin rice vermicelli and is lighter, while canton uses chewy wheat egg noodles and gives a deeper, saucier result.
Why are noodles served at Filipino birthdays?
Long noodles are a symbol of long life, so a platter of pancit is a traditional part of birthday meals. Many cooks avoid cutting the noodles.
Can I make pancit bihon ahead of time?
It is best fresh, but leftovers keep for 2 days in the fridge. Reheat in a pan with a splash of stock or water to loosen the noodles.
How long does it take to make Pancit Bihon (Filipino Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Chicken)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pancit Bihon (Filipino Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Chicken)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
