Budget, Fresh & Fragrant Chicken Rice Roll Bowl

This is the kind of meal that feels fresh, vibrant, and just a little bit fancy, without the price tag. Tender soy-garlic chicken, silky vermicelli noodles, and a rainbow of crunchy veggies all tossed together with a sweet, savoury drizzle that ties everything together perfectly.

It’s light but satisfying, packed with flavour and texture, and comes together in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or easy meal prep.

Best part? It comes in at around $5-6 per serve, proving you don’t need to spend big to eat well. Fresh, fast, and budget-friendly, this is your homemade “fakeaway” that easily rivals takeaway at half the cost.

Serves: 4

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 500g chicken breast, thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 tsp cooking salt

Bowl

• 300–350g dried vermicelli noodles

• 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced

• 1 yellow capsicum, thinly sliced

• 1 green capsicum, thinly sliced

• 2 carrots, julienned

• 1 x 227g can sliced water chestnuts, drained

• 8 sprigs fresh mint, roughly chopped

Sauce

• 4 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

• 4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

• 1/2 tbsp sesame oil

Optional Garnish

• Sesame seeds

• Sliced spring onion

Method

Step 1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 2. Add the chicken, soy sauce, and salt. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

Step 3. Place vermicelli noodles in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak according to packet instructions (usually 3–5 minutes), then drain and set aside.

Step 4. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and sesame oil.

Step 5. Divide noodles between bowls. Top with cooked chicken, capsicum, carrot, water chestnuts, and fresh mint.

Step 6. Drizzle generously with sauce and toss lightly to combine.

Step 7. Top with sesame seeds and spring onion if using.

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