Savory Chicken with Asian Noodles

There's a second pasta section in your supermarket.

Instead of the familiar packages of spaghetti, penne and macaroni, check the Asian food department for noodles that may be new to you.

You'll find noodles made with rice, buckwheat or corn flour as well as egg-enriched wheat noodles. These aren't mere placeholders for meat. The flavors and textures contribute to your enjoyment of the meal.

If you're not familiar with Asian noodles, here are some of the types you're likely to find in your favorite store:

Cellophane noodles: delicate and translucent, with a subtle taste and appealing chewy texture.

Soba noodles: Tan-color with the rich, full-grain flavor of buckwheat flour.

Udon noodles: Cream-color with toothsome texture, made from hard wheat flour.

When cooking, follow the package directions, not your preferred way to prepare Italian pasta. Asian noodles should be tender, not firm at the center, when done. And unlike Italian pasta, which is drained and served, Asian noodles are often rinsed in cold water before proceeding with a recipe.

Rather than recommend one noodle, the following recipe for chicken and vegetables offers a choice of soba or udon noodles. Make Savory Chicken with Asian Noodles either way; serve hot or tepid and expand your pasta palate.

Savory Chicken with Asian Noodles

Serves 2

Ingredients

Cook soba noodles in boiling water until tender, following package directions (8 minutes for soba; 8 to 10 minutes for udon noodles). Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and brown on both sides, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes total. Remove. Add garlic, bok choy and mushrooms to skillet. Turn heat up to high. Cook vegetables until tender, stirring constantly, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Pour in broth and stir up any browned bits in skillet. Add soy sauce, sesame oil and chili oil. Add chicken. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat. Stir in noodles and sprinkle on scallions.

Each serving (using udon noodles) has 420 calories; 17 grams total fat; 24.5 grams protein; 43 grams carbohydrates; 50 milligrams cholesterol; 710 milligrams sodium and 4.5 grams dietary fiber.

Bev Bennett is the author of "30-Minute Meals for Dummies," John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003.

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(c) 2009, Bev Bennett Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.