Vietnamese Grilled Chicken and Vermicelli Salad with Shrimp
Experience the vibrant flavors of Vietnam with this Grilled Chicken and Vermicelli Salad, featuring tender, marinated chicken breasts grilled to perfection and served over a bed of fresh vermicelli noodles. Topped with succulent shrimp, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and crunchy peanuts, this dish brings together a delightful combination of textures and tastes. The dressing, made with zesty lime juice and savory fish sauce, ties every element together. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends with its bright colors and complex flavors.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless chicken breasts
4 pieces (2 whole breasts split)
garlic
2 cloves (minced or pressed)
shallots
2 whole (finely chopped)
vegetable oil
1/8 cup + 2 teaspoons
iceberg lettuce
2 cups (shredded)
cucumber
1 (sliced)
fresh mint
1/4 cup (chopped)
roasted peanuts
1/4 cup (unsalted, chopped)
rice vermicelli
1/2 cup
shrimp
to taste (cleaned and shelled)
water
4 ounces
lime juice
1 ounce
fish sauce
2 ounces
sugar
1 ounce
garlic
1 teaspoon (chopped)
crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon
vegetable oil or olive oil
2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
In a bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and vegetable oil to create the dressing. Whisk until well mixed and set aside.
2
Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the rice vermicelli and cook for 3-4 minutes or until almost soft. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped shallots, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil. Add the chicken breasts and coat well. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
4
Preheat the grill over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked. Remove from heat and let rest before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
5
While the chicken is grilling, sauté the shrimp in a pan with a tablespoon of vegetable oil, minced garlic, and chopped shallots until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
6
In a large serving bowl, combine the shredded lettuce, sliced cucumber, and cooked vermicelli. Divide this mixture into 4 serving bowls.
7
Arrange the grilled chicken on top of the vermicelli. Drizzle 2 ounces of the prepared dressing over each bowl.
8
Add the sautéed shrimp on top of the chicken and sprinkle with fresh mint and roasted peanuts.
9
For garnish, thinly slice cucumber, carrot, daikon, and red onion. Toss these vegetables with a bit of the dressing and serve them on the side of each plate.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vietnamese Grilled Chicken and Vermicelli Salad?
It is a vibrant Vietnamese dish featuring marinated grilled chicken and shrimp served over rice vermicelli noodles with fresh vegetables and a zesty lime-fish sauce dressing.
What are the main proteins used in this recipe?
The main proteins are boneless chicken breasts and shrimp.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
The chicken should be marinated for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
What ingredients are used in the chicken marinade?
The marinade consists of minced garlic, chopped shallots, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil.
How do you prepare the dressing?
Whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and vegetable oil.
How long does it take to cook the rice vermicelli?
The rice vermicelli takes about 3 to 4 minutes to cook in boiling water until almost soft.
What is the recommended cooking time for the chicken on the grill?
Grill the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes over medium-high heat, turning occasionally.
How should the shrimp be cooked?
Sauté the shrimp in a pan with vegetable oil, garlic, and shallots for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn pink.
What vegetables form the base of the salad?
The salad base is made from shredded iceberg lettuce and sliced cucumber.
What kind of herbs are added to the dish?
Fresh chopped mint is added as a topping.
Are the peanuts salted or unsalted?
The recipe calls for unsalted, roasted, and chopped peanuts.
How much dressing should be applied to each serving?
Drizzle 2 ounces of the prepared dressing over each of the four serving bowls.
What garnishes are suggested for this salad?
The suggested garnishes are thinly sliced cucumber, carrot, daikon, and red onion.
How is the chicken prepared after grilling?
The chicken should rest briefly and then be cut into bite-sized pieces before serving.
What type of oil is suitable for this recipe?
Vegetable oil is primarily used, but olive oil is also mentioned as an option for the dressing.
How do you stop the vermicelli from overcooking?
Immediately drain and rinse the noodles under cold water after boiling.
Is there any spice in this dish?
Yes, the dressing contains 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
How many pieces of chicken are needed?
The recipe requires 4 pieces of boneless chicken breasts, specifically 2 whole breasts split.
How much lettuce is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 cups of shredded iceberg lettuce.
How much fish sauce is required for the dressing?
You will need 2 ounces of fish sauce.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The instructions guide the assembly into 4 individual serving bowls.
What is the amount of sugar used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 1 ounce of sugar.
Are the shallots used in both the marinade and the shrimp?
Yes, chopped shallots are used for both marinating the chicken and sautéing the shrimp.
What type of noodles are used?
Rice vermicelli noodles are used for this salad.
What is the amount of lime juice needed?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of lime juice.
How do you prepare the garnish vegetables?
Thinly slice them, toss with a bit of the dressing, and serve on the side.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
The recipe specifies fresh minced or pressed garlic for the best flavor.
How much water is added to the dressing?
The dressing includes 4 ounces of water.
What provides the crunch in this dish?
The crunchy texture comes from roasted peanuts and fresh vegetables like cucumber and lettuce.
When should I add the shrimp to the bowl?
The sautéed shrimp should be added on top of the chicken just before garnishing with mint and peanuts.