Filipino Pancit Recipe Chicken: Authentic Bihon Noodles How-To

Today, let’s journey into the heart of Filipino cuisine with a classic dish that has won over countless palates worldwide – the Filipino pancit recipe chicken. An easy recipe that’s perfect for special occasions or even just a simple weeknight dinner, this beloved noodle dish is a testament to the wonderful diversity and richness of Asian food.

A Brief History of Pancit

Long before the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, Chinese traders introduced noodle dishes to the local population. Over time, these dishes have evolved into the various types of Filipino pancit we know and love today. From Pancit Canton to Pancit Malabon, Pancit Palabok, and Bihon Pancit, each type of noodles has its unique cooking process and flavor profile.

The Significance of Pancit in Filipino Culture

Pancit is more than just a delicious dish in the Filipino culture. It is often served on birthdays and other special occasions to symbolize long life. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see a large pot of pancit at Filipino family gatherings, with everyone excitedly lining up for a serving of the savory noodles.

Choosing the Right Noodles for Your Filipino Pancit Recipe Chicken

For this classic Filipino recipe, we’re using Bihon noodles. Also known as rice sticks or rice vermicelli noodles, these thin rice noodles are made from rice flour and water. They’re available in most Asian markets and are typically sold dried. Before cooking, you need to soak noodles in warm water to soften them. Other types of noodles you can use for a pancit recipe include egg noodles, udon noodles, and even kelp noodles.

Getting Started with Your Chicken Pancit Recipe

Begin by heating some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your protein of your choice – in this case, chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into small pieces. Stir fry until the chicken is cooked, then remove from the skillet. In the same skillet, sauté garlic cloves and a thinly sliced yellow onion until aromatic.

Adding Vegetables to Your Filipino Pancit Recipe Chicken

Next, add bell peppers, green beans, and snow peas or snap peas. You can also add other vegetables like shredded carrots, bok choy, or bamboo shoots. The great thing about this Filipino pancit recipe is its flexibility. You can add any vegetables you have on hand. Just remember to cut them into small pieces for a faster and even cooking process.

Creating the Savory Sauce for Your Pancit

While your vegetables are cooking, prepare the savory sauce by mixing chicken broth or chicken stock, oyster sauce, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a separate bowl. Once your vegetables are tender, pour this sauce over them in the skillet. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes before adding the pre-soaked Bihon noodles.

Cooking the Noodles for Your Filipino Pancit Recipe Chicken

Add your soaked and drained Bihon noodles to the skillet. Stir well to ensure that the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and the rest of the ingredients. Cook on medium high heat until the noodles absorb the sauce, stirring frequently to prevent them from sticking to the skillet. Once the noodles are done, return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together.

Serving Your Filipino Pancit Recipe Chicken

Transfer your cooked pancit to a large serving platter and garnish with green onions and lemon wedges. It’s best served hot, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and enjoyed the next day. So the next time you’re craving a taste of Filipino food, give this chicken pancit recipe a try. It’s sure to become a favorite!

Experimenting with Your Pancit Recipe

This Filipino Pancit Recipe Chicken is just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different proteins or add more vegetables. If you’re vegetarian, you can totally leave out the chicken and use tofu or oyster mushroom instead. It’s all about personalizing it to suit your taste. The most important thing is to enjoy the cooking process and the delicious result.