Brendan Pang’s Vietnamese Garlic Butter Chicken Noodles

These Vietnamese garlic butter chicken noodles are rich, fragrant, and packed with bold flavour. Tender chicken is coated in glossy garlic butter sauce, then served over soft rice vermicelli noodles with fresh herbs, crispy fried shallots, chilli, and tangy nuoc cham dressing.

This dish delivers the perfect balance of savoury, buttery, fresh, and zesty flavours in every bite.

What Makes These Noodles Special?

The combination of garlic butter and Vietnamese seasonings creates an incredibly rich and aromatic sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. Fresh herbs and nuoc cham dressing help balance the richness while adding freshness and acidity.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy noodle recipe
• Rich garlic butter flavour
• Fresh Vietnamese-inspired ingredients
• Perfect balance of savoury and fresh
• Great for lunch or dinner

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Chicken & Noodles

• 200g rice vermicelli noodles
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 chicken tenderloins, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Toppings

• Fresh coriander, Thai basil, or mint
• 1 red chilli, sliced
• 1/4 cup fried shallots
• Lime wedges

Nuoc Cham Dressing

• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 red chilli, chopped
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 tbsp hot water

How to Make Vietnamese Garlic Butter Chicken Noodles

Step 1: Make the Nuoc Cham Dressing

Combine garlic, chilli, sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, and hot water in a bowl.

Stir until sugar dissolves.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 2: Prepare the Noodles

Cook or soak rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions.

Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.

Set aside.

How to Cook the Garlic Butter Chicken

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat.

Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes until lightly browned.

Reduce heat to medium.

Add garlic and butter, basting chicken in the garlic butter mixture.

Step 4: Add the Sauce

Stir in soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and black pepper.

Toss until chicken is coated in the glossy sauce.

Assemble the Bowls

Step 5: Build the Noodle Bowls

Divide noodles among serving bowls.

Drizzle with nuoc cham dressing.

Top with chicken and reserve extra garlic butter sauce.

Add fresh herbs, chilli, and fried shallots.

Spoon over remaining garlic butter sauce.

Serve with lime wedges.

Tips for Best Results

• Don’t overcook the noodles
• Use fresh herbs generously
• Balance the nuoc cham to your taste
• Serve immediately while warm
• Add extra chilli for more heat

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with Vietnamese spring rolls
• Serve with iced tea or lime soda
• Add crushed peanuts for crunch

Final Thoughts

Brendan Pang’s Vietnamese garlic butter chicken noodles are rich, fresh, and deeply satisfying. The buttery garlic chicken combined with tangy nuoc cham dressing and fragrant herbs creates a dish full of contrast and flavour.

Perfect for quick dinners or comforting noodle cravings, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavour with simple ingredients.