Thai Peanut Noddles with Chicken

I have an awesome friend who comes down to visit for dinner frequently.  Because I have kids and she doesn't, she's willing to make the drive down here- in spite of being on the road a lot for work.  It means a lot that she's willing to travel and save me the work of loading the kids in the car or finding someone to watch them so we can hang out.

... but she also comes with a bunch of crazy diet restrictions.  She is, after all, the one who brought the organic vegan Green Goddess Salad into our home.

Ok, so the restrictions aren't that crazy.  And I guess I can learn to cook dairy and gluten free considering what a picky eater I was when we met.  So what do you feed someone who can't eat pasta?  Rice noodles!

INGREDIENTS

12 oz. rice noodles

6 Tbsp fresh lime juice

5 Tbsp soy sauce

3 Tbsp natural peanut butter

or 3 Tbsp of regular brown sugar

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 chicken breast

1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1/4 cup scallions, sliced

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

Sesame seeds, as garnish

DIRECTIONS

Start with the chicken, cooking it in a skillet over medium-high heat with a TBS of oil and 2 TBS of soy sauce.  Salt and pepper to taste. Add red bell pepper during last 1-2 minutes of cooking (when the chicken is still just a bit pink in the center.

Cook rice noodles according to package directions.  (most directions will have you boil water and then place noodles in to soak for 5-10 minutes)

Meanwhile, whisk together remaining 3 TBS of soy sauce and remainder of ingredients.  Mix well and toss over pasta when finished.  Add in chicken.  Garnish with sesame seeds and enjoy!

VERDICT

In addition to being restricted from wheat and dairy, she also isn't a fan of Thai food.  Luckily this peanut sauce isn't overwhelming.  It's pretty mild considering the amount of fresh basil and mint in there. 

Just a note on soy sauce- Kikoman brand is NOT wheat free.  La Choy and the Aldi's brand Fusia are.  If you're on a gluten free diet it's a great thing to know!  (It's also to have a great big over-stuffed pantry with extras of ingredients).