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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Chicken pancit canton

Pancit canton is a Filipino noodle dish made with egg noodles stir fried with chicken, cabbage, carrots and green beans, finished with a squeeze of lemon. For 4 people, it takes 35 minutes, it's easy to make, and it costs €2.40 per serving. The key is a hot wok and vegetables that stay crisp rather than soft.

Tonight is noodle night, Filipino style, pancit canton stir fried with chicken, cabbage, carrots and a squeeze of lemon.

Chicken pancit canton
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
470 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Pancit canton is the kind of noodle dish that works for everyone, because it comes together fast, kids like it, and it uses vegetables you probably already have in the fridge. The egg noodles soak up the broth and soy sauce as they cook, the chicken gives it a familiar comfort, and the cabbage, carrots and green beans keep their crunch. A squeeze of lemon at the end changes everything, it brightens the dish without making it sharp.

It's the sort of recipe Mon Chou likes to suggest on a weeknight, since it all happens in one wok, it eats well as a family without fuss, and it doesn't call for anything hard to find. Kids recognize the noodles and chicken right away, while adults enjoy the lemon and garlic. It also works well when you have people over and want something easy, just serve it straight from the wok or on a big platter.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 450 g

Pantry

  • Egg noodles 350 g
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Chicken brothoften in the pantry 25 cl
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green cabbage 0.3
  • Carrots 2
  • Green beans 150 g
  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Lemon 2

Allergens Gluten, Eggs, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the chicken into strips. Thinly slice the cabbage, cut the carrots into sticks, and cut the green beans in half.

    Cut everything to the same size so the vegetables cook evenly.

  2. Brown the chicken over high heat with the garlic and onion, then set aside. 6 min

    Don't add all the chicken at once, it won't brown properly.

  3. In the same wok, stir fry the carrots, green beans and cabbage with the broth and soy sauce. 7 min

    The vegetables should stay crisp, not soft.

  4. Add the noodles and let them absorb the broth while stirring, then add the chicken back in. 6 min

    You can soak the noodles in hot water for five minutes beforehand.

  5. Add pepper, squeeze over the lemon juice and serve right away.

    Serve with lemon wedges on the side so everyone can add more to taste.

Our tips to get it right

  • Prep all the vegetables and chicken before you turn on the heat, wok cooking moves fast and you won't have time to cut once it starts.
  • If your egg noodles are on the thick side, soak them in hot water for five minutes before adding them, they'll absorb the broth better without turning mushy.
  • Keep the heat high from start to finish, that's what lets the chicken brown and the vegetables stay crisp instead of releasing water.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for shrimp, or use both together, it's a common variation on pancit canton.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with firm tofu browned in a pan, the soy sauce stays the same.
  • For kids in a hurry, serve the noodles without lemon mixed in and let everyone add their own at the table.

What to serve it with

  • Extra lemon wedges on the table
  • Green tea or jasmine tea
  • Fresh bean sprouts on top

Storage

Chicken pancit canton keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze especially well since the vegetables lose their crunch once thawed. Reheat in a pan or wok with a splash of water to soften the noodles back up.

Questions about this dish

Can I use a different type of noodle instead of egg noodles?

Yes, rice noodles or regular Chinese noodles work well too. Just adjust the soaking time depending on how thick the noodles are.

Can I prep chicken pancit canton ahead of time?

You can cut the chicken and vegetables the day before and keep them in the fridge. The actual cooking is best done right before serving so the vegetables stay crisp.

Does pancit canton contain gluten?

Yes, the egg noodles and soy sauce both contain gluten. For a gluten free version, use rice noodles and a gluten free soy sauce.

Can I swap the green cabbage for another vegetable?

Napa cabbage or white cabbage both work well in place of green cabbage. Keep the same quantity to keep the dish balanced.

How long does it take to make a chicken pancit canton, Filipino stir fried noodles with vegetables and a squeeze of lemon?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a chicken pancit canton, Filipino stir fried noodles with vegetables and a squeeze of lemon?

About 470 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a chicken pancit canton, Filipino stir fried noodles with vegetables and a squeeze of lemon cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, eggs, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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