I’m obsessed with this recipe because it lets me whip up a mouth-watering, restaurant-quality Thai meal right at home without breaking the bank. There’s something incredibly satisfying about the perfect balance of flavors—savory, slightly sweet, and spicy—plus the fresh lime juice at the end elevates the whole dish to another level of yum!
My recipe for Sen Yai Noodles features the wonderful tastes of soy and oyster sauces mixed with thinly sliced chicken and fresh gai lan. I love the way the wide rice noodles soak up the delicious sauce.
My favorite part of this dish is the hint of garlic and the zing from lime wedges that balance everything out.
Ingredients
The source of energy and the classic texture of carby goodness, fresh wide rice noodles.
Garlic: Conveys a powerful scent, has antioxidants, and may possess healthful properties.
Lean protein sources, like chicken breast, help construct and fix the body’s tissues.
Soy sauce: Delivers a deep umami taste and provides sodium for flavoring.
Oyster sauce: Sweet and salty, boosts boldness and multi-layered flavor of the dish.
Chineses broccoli: Fiber, vitamins, slight bitterness.
The following ingredients add protein and richness, binding together the components of the dish perfectly:
Eggs
Mild heat and a peppery, aromatic flavor are added to the dish by white pepper.
Lime: Delivers a sharp and zesty tang, lifting the overall flavor profile.
Ingredient Quantities
- 14 oz fresh wide rice noodles (Sen Yai noodles)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup Chinese broccoli or gai lan, cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Optional: Thai chilies, sliced (for additional spice)
Instructions
1. A large wok or non-stick skillet should be heated with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. To the heated oil, add minced garlic and stir-fry until it gives off an aroma.
2. The sliced chicken breast goes into the pan and cooks until it is just cooked through.
3. Move the chicken and garlic to one side of the pan. Into the empty space in the pan, crack the eggs and lightly scramble them until they’re mostly cooked, then mix them in with the chicken.
4. Place the fresh Sen Yai noodles into the pan, using a spatula to carefully separate the noodles from one another.
5. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar to the noodles and mix everything together so that the noodles are completely enveloped in the sauces.
6. Raise the temperature a little and add the Chinese broccoli. Stir-fry until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
7. Add the green onions and ground white pepper. Stir well to integrate all the flavors.
8. If you use them, add the sliced Thai chilies for additional heat, adjusting to your taste preference.
9. For another minute, keep stir-frying the entire mixture, making certain everything is heated through and well-blended.
10. Serve the Sen Yai noodles hot, with lime wedges as a garnish. The fresh lime juice drizzled on top just before serving adds an extra jolt of acidity that wakes everything up. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Large wok or non-stick skillet
2. Spatula
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Small bowl (for cracking eggs)
7. Plate or bowl (for serving)
FAQ
- Q: Can I use dried rice noodles if I can’t find fresh Sen Yai noodles?Yes, dried wide rice noodles can be used. Just ensure that you soak them in warm water according to the package instructions until they are soft before using them in the recipe.
- Q: Can I substitute chicken with another protein?Certainly! For a meatless option, use tofu; for a different-tasting dish, use shrimp, beef, or pork.
- Q: What can I use as a substitute for Chinese broccoli?A: If you cannot find Chinese broccoli, you can use regular broccoli or broccolini in its place.
- Q: Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?A: Use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce to make this dish gluten-free; check other condiments for hidden gluten to be extra safe.
- Q: Can I prepare the noodles in advance?A: Prepare the noodles just before you need them. Left to sit too long, they can become sticky and clumpy. If you must prepare them ahead, coat the noodles lightly in oil. That should keep them from clumping together and make them easy to integrate into whatever dish you’re working on.
- Q: How can I make this dish spicier?To add an extra touch of heat, include some sliced Thai chilies, or serve the dish with chili flakes or paste on the side.
Substitutions and Variations
Use dried wide rice noodles instead of fresh wide rice noodles. Soak the dried noodles in warm water before using them.
You can use canola oil or peanut oil in place of vegetable oil.
In the absence of oyster sauce, you may substitute with mushroom sauce or hoisin sauce.
If you want to use another vegetable in its place, here are some good substitutions:
If necessary, ground black pepper can be used instead of ground white pepper.
Pro Tips
1. Noodle Preparation: Fresh rice noodles can often stick together. To prevent this, gently separate them before adding them to the pan, or briefly soak them in warm water to loosen them up if they are clumped together.
2. Garlic Aromatics: Make sure not to let the garlic burn when stir-frying. Keep a close eye on it and stir frequently for just a few seconds until fragrant. Burned garlic can introduce a bitter taste to the dish.
3. Cooking the Chicken: To ensure the chicken stays tender and moist, cook it just until it’s no longer pink. Overcooking can result in dry and tough chicken slices.
4. Seasoning Hack: Taste the noodles after mixing them with the sauces, and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add a bit more soy sauce or a pinch more sugar depending on your taste preferences.
5. Vegetable Texture: When adding the Chinese broccoli, stir-fry just until it turns a vibrant green and is crisp-tender to maintain a pleasant texture and maximize nutrients. Avoid overcooking the vegetables.
Sen Yai Noodles Recipe
My favorite Sen Yai Noodles Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large wok or non-stick skillet
2. Spatula
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Small bowl (for cracking eggs)
7. Plate or bowl (for serving)
Ingredients:
- 14 oz fresh wide rice noodles (Sen Yai noodles)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup Chinese broccoli or gai lan, cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Optional: Thai chilies, sliced (for additional spice)
Instructions:
1. A large wok or non-stick skillet should be heated with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. To the heated oil, add minced garlic and stir-fry until it gives off an aroma.
2. The sliced chicken breast goes into the pan and cooks until it is just cooked through.
3. Move the chicken and garlic to one side of the pan. Into the empty space in the pan, crack the eggs and lightly scramble them until they’re mostly cooked, then mix them in with the chicken.
4. Place the fresh Sen Yai noodles into the pan, using a spatula to carefully separate the noodles from one another.
5. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar to the noodles and mix everything together so that the noodles are completely enveloped in the sauces.
6. Raise the temperature a little and add the Chinese broccoli. Stir-fry until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
7. Add the green onions and ground white pepper. Stir well to integrate all the flavors.
8. If you use them, add the sliced Thai chilies for additional heat, adjusting to your taste preference.
9. For another minute, keep stir-frying the entire mixture, making certain everything is heated through and well-blended.
10. Serve the Sen Yai noodles hot, with lime wedges as a garnish. The fresh lime juice drizzled on top just before serving adds an extra jolt of acidity that wakes everything up. Enjoy!
