Authentic Pancit Recipe - Filipino Noodles with Chicken | A Healthy Makeover (2024)

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Pancit – authentic Filipino-style fried noodles recipe made with protein and vegetables. My family favorite meal is perfect for a special occasion but easy enough for any weeknight!

My Pancit Recipe is one of my most favorite meals. And the best part is that it’s a quick recipe! In fact, when asked “What would you choose for your last meal?” Hands down, some of my mama’s Filipino recipes like lumpia, adobo, fried rice and most definitely Pancit (which is pronounced Pon Sit)!

Authentic Pinoy Recipe

Pancit is a classic Filipino recipe and popular dish in the Philippines; sometimes served as street food.

As you may know by now, I’m half Filipino; my Pinoy Mama is an amazing cook and she taught me my love for cooking, for food, and all things delicious. She also taught me how food should be enjoyed. When cooking for us she always kept ingredients pretty simple.

Often in Filipino culture, the pancit bihon dish is served at special occasions like family gatherings and birthday celebrations.

Authentic Pancit Recipe - Filipino Noodles with Chicken | A Healthy Makeover (1)

What is Pancit?

Pancit is a popular Filipino food. A traditional Filipino noodle dish and is usually made with meat like pork, chicken, turkey and even beef, and veggies. It is typically made with rice noodles. When people ask me, I always say it is similar to Chinese Lo Mein, but with thinner noodles. The savory sauce is very simple: I use soy sauce and chicken broth, and my secret ingredient, see below.

Basically it’s like stir fry: you toss lots of great veggies and the protein of your choice, the noodles and sauce into a large pot. The entire dish can be made in one

Classic Pancit Recipe with Chicken

One time I was experimenting with her pancit bihon recipe and it turned out pretty well and she literally said, “This is the best pancit I’ve ever had – you make it better than I do!”

And now when she makes it, she makes it my way.A compliment on my ‘Pino food from a true ‘Pino??! That’s how you know this Pancit Bihon recipe is legit, friends! A super quick and easy recipe.

Authentic Pancit Recipe - Filipino Noodles with Chicken | A Healthy Makeover (2)

Which Ingredients are in Filipino Stir Fried Noodles?

The secret ingredient in my Pancit recipe is a little bit of dry soup mix and chicken stock. It adds a ton of flavor! In traditional Filipino cooking, this may not be an ingredient, but I use it each and every time.

I also like to make things even easier by using shredded slaw mix because I hate having to buy a big head of cabbage when I only need a few cups.

Other veggies to include are onions, celery and carrots. These are the basic ingredients and traditional veggies in Pancit, but feel free to use broccoli, cauliflower, bean sprouts, snap peas or green beans. You can also use any variety of veggies you like.

Another way to make this recipe easy is to use leftover chicken or precooked chicken chicken breast. A rotisserie chicken is perfect.

Vegetarian Pancit Recipe

Make it vegetarian by leaving out the meat or adding tofu instead. Vegetable options include: green cabbage, onions, celery and carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bean sprouts, snap peas, snow peas, bok choy, green beans.

Traditionally Pancit is made with whatever you’ve got in the house – so use up those leftovers! There are so many different versions of this authentic recipe. It is really such a simple dish made with simple ingredients and lots of great flavor.

Substitutions

Instead of chicken, use turkey, sliced pork, steak, fresh shrimp. Some people even like to add Chinese sausages.

Authentic Pancit Recipe - Filipino Noodles with Chicken | A Healthy Makeover (3)

How to Store Pancit and How Long Will it Keep?

Store any leftover Pancit in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Freeze: Once your Pancit is cooked, store any leftovers in an airtight freezer bag for up to 30 days. To thaw, just place in your fridge for 12 hours. To reheat, just microwave or heat in a skillet until warmed through.

Additional Questions

Q: Do you have to soak rice noodles in warm water? No; the noodles are thin and cook quickly in the chicken broth that has been heated over medium heat.

Q: Can I use fish sauce or oyster sauce? Absolutely; these add great flavors and I would add them to the sauce mixture.

Q: What is the difference between Pancit Bihon and Pancit Canton? These recipes are similar except the noodles are different. Pancit Bihon uses the thin rice noodles, and Pancit Canton uses the thicker noodles made with egg or wheat.

Q: Can you find these thin noodles in your local store? Yes; head to the Asian aisle of your store and look for rice noodles, rice vermicelli, rice sticks, bihon noodles, pancit noodles, cellophane noodles, etc. If you have Asian Markets in your area, even better.

How to Make Pancit

This Filipino cuisine recipe comes together so easily. Here are some great tips to make Pancit:

  • Slice your veggies thinly
  • Slice your chicken/protein into thin strips
  • Heat oil in a large heavy skillet.
  • Keep the pan hot in order to flash fry the meat and veggies – medium-high heat is great
  • If you’d like to add fresh cloves garlic, or garlic powder do this when you add your veggies
  • Sauté your veggies, then remove to a dish while you cook the chicken/protein unless using precooked
  • Cook the chicken/protein, then remove to the veggie dish while you cook the noodles
  • Make the sauce and add it to the pan to heat
  • Add and saute noodles; these will cook quickly and absorb the sauce
  • Once the noodles are cooked (just a few minutes), add in the veggies and chicken/protein and stir
  • You can even top it with green onion or a splash of lemon juice or lime juice for added citrus flavor when serving
  • I like to add red pepper flakes for some spice
Authentic Pancit Recipe - Filipino Noodles with Chicken | A Healthy Makeover (4)

Let’s get to it – I really think you’re going to love this recipe – from my family to yours!

This recipe was updated on June 2, 2022

Authentic Pancit Recipe - Filipino Noodles with Chicken | A Healthy Makeover (5)

Pancit - Authentic Filipino Noodles with Chicken

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Pancit Canton - This is the easy pancit (Filipino Noodles) recipe you've been looking for!

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Vermicelli Rice Noodles, They need to be made of rice - they come really thin up to the thickness of linguine
  • 2 tsp Sesame Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 10 oz Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, sliced or diced (I used tenders, then chopped after cooking); you can also use precooked or leftover chicken
  • 1 cup Carrots, sliced
  • 1 Med Celery, sliced
  • 1 tsp Minced Garlic
  • 2 cups Cabbage, shredded; I use slaw mix for ease
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Dry Soup Mix, Like Onion or Herb; I just measure 2Tbsp out of the packet.

Instructions

  1. This is what the rice noodles look like. I prefer the thin vermicelli
  2. In a wok or large skillet with higher sides, heat oil until nice and hot – sizzly, if you will.
  3. Place the chicken in and brown it on both sides until it’s no longer pink. Remove and set aside. Skip this step if using precooked chicken.
  4. In the still hot pan, add carrots and celery and sauté for about 6 minutes until beginning to get soft but still firm.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the veggies and sauté for about 30 seconds.
  6. Add the cabbage mix and stir everything together…heating through…you don’t want to cook the cabbage too much; it should be a little bit crunchy. Then, remove everything from the pan.
  7. In the still hot pan (see a trend? Keep that pan nice and HOT!) add the chicken broth, Worcestershire, soy sauce and dry soup mix. Heat through.
  8. Add the dry noodles to the pan and let the liquid get absorbed. It will happen, just wait for it…wait for it…see? It happens pretty quickly.
  9. As soon as the noodles have almost absorbed all of the liquid and they are easily stirrable (pretty sure that’s a word), add the veggies and chicken back in and mix everything together; heating through. It’s easier at this point to use tongs to mix.
  10. That’s it! I like to add hot chili paste to mine afterwards. YUM!!

Notes

Substitutions:

You can easily make these vegetarian by leaving out the chicken and using veggie broth.

Another variation is to use pork strips, my second favorite addition to this delicious noodle dish.

Use shrimp or steak, too!

Storing/Freezing:

Store any leftover Pancit in a sealed container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Freeze: Once your Pancit is cooked, store any leftovers in an airtight freezer bag for up to 30 days. To thaw, just place in your fridge for 12 hours. To reheat, just microwave or heat in a skillet until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Yield 6 servingsServing Size 1 grams
Amount Per ServingCalories 382Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 58mgSodium 947mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 4gSugar 7gProtein 26g

Nutrition calculation is offered as a courtesy and no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. The data provided are a product of online nutrition calculators and should be considered an estimate only. I am not a registered dietician nor a certified nutritionist. For more accurate information, or if you have dietary restrictions, please consult a trusted professional. A Healthy Makeover strongly supports Intuitive Eating, body trust, and Health at Every Size.

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FAQs

What is the Filipino dish pancit made of? ›

Pancit is a Filipino dish. There are many different types of pancit, but it always features rice noodles and vegetables (and often meat, such as pork or chicken).

Is pancit good for you? ›

Pancit is a low-calorie, high-protein dish that boosts energy levels and supports weight management, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal option for those watching their weight.

How to keep pancit from spoiling? ›

As previously mentioned, when stored in an airtight container, Pancit can comfortably last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. This method retains the freshness of ingredients like snap peas, green beans, and bell peppers.

Why is pancit important to Filipinos? ›

Nowadays, pancit is a fixture at many significant milestones such as weddings, baptisms, graduations, and most especially during birthdays, where their inherently Chinese symbolism as edible harbingers of a long life (provided you don't cut the noodles before you eat them) are frequently invoked.

What is the most popular type of pancit? ›

Pancit
Pancit canton, the most popular type of pancit
Alternative namesPansít
TypeNoodle
Place of originPhilippines
Media: Pansit

Is pancit Filipino or Chinese? ›

Pancit: influence of the Chinese in Philippine noodles. Pancit (or spelled as pansit) is a Filipino version of a noodle dish that was contributed by the Chinese traders during the pre-Hispanic times of the Philippines. Every part of the Philippine archipelago has its own version of pancit.

Does pancit have a lot of carbs? ›

Homemade Pancit Bihon (1.5 cup) contains 41g total carbs, 37g net carbs, 1g fat, 18g protein, and 255 calories.

How many calories does 1 bowl of pancit have? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
341Calories
8gFat
46gCarbs
21gProtein

What to eat with pancit? ›

Almost every pancit dish is enjoyed with another carb, like bread or rice. In fact, some fill a pan de sal (local bread) with pancit and eat it like a sandwich.

What is the harmful substance in pancit Canton? ›

Pancit Canton has been found with low levels of ethylene oxide, a sterilizing agent that is also used as a pesticide.

Can I cook pancit the night before? ›

Leftover pancit, if there is any remaining, tastes great, too, because the ingredients have blended well together. As a time-saver, this dish can be made a day before the party then reheated and garnished with fresh slices of boiled egg and calamansi or lemon wedges.

Why do Filipinos eat noodles on their birthday? ›

In Filipino culture, eating noodles during one's birthday symbolizes long life. Pancit is a Filipino noodle dish. It features lengthy rice noodles, meat, and vegetables, creating a savory taste.

What is a fun fact about pancit? ›

Pancit comes from the [Hokkien] word pian-e-sit, which literally means food that is convenient to cook,” shares Carmelea Ang See, Director of Bahay Tsinoy Museum in Intramuros, Manila. Pancit did not explicitly mean a noodle dish; rather, it was any fast food item, prepared and served swiftly.

What is Filipino spaghetti called? ›

Filipino spaghetti (also known as sweet spaghetti) is a Filipino adaptation of Italian spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. It has a distinctively sweet sauce, usually made from tomato sauce sweetened with brown sugar and banana ketchup.

What does pancit taste like? ›

This version of pancit canton is packed with a ton of flavor highlighting notes of salty, sweet, sour and umami. The combination of the Chinese sausage, pork belly, fish sauce, oyster sauce and fresh vegetables bring the dish together while the calamansi or lime juice cuts through the richness.

Is pancit the same as chow mein? ›

Pancit is not that different from chow mein. They only tweaks are the noodles used and the vinegar put in the sauce. Pancit will have an acidic bite that is not overwhelming and will not be greasy like chow mein. The noodles used are a lot thinner and are usually made of rice flour.

What is the difference between pancit and noodles? ›

Pancit is the generic term for noodles in the Philippines. Made of rice flour, it comes in different varieties and sizes. The most common version is Pancit Bihon as shown in the photo above.

Is pancit made of flour? ›

The main components of the popular types of pancit noodles are egg and wheat or rice flour. But there are some kinds made of monggo flour too, as well as different starches like cornstarch, cassava, and potato. Some are simply made of vegetables or fruit.

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