Serves 2, 20mins Preparation, 8mins Cooking

Make this authentic Chinese stir-fry in less than half an hour for a quick tasty meal any night of the week. Add your favourite crisp seasonal vegetables you fancy.

Ingredients

• 150g/5oz dried yellow wheat flour noodles, or medium egg noodles • dash toasted sesame oil  • 300g/11oz skinless chicken breast fillets, sliced into strips • dash dark soy sauce  • 1 tsp five-spice powder  • 1 tsp chilli sauce (optional) • 1 tbsp cornflour  • 1-2 tbsp groundnut oil  • 1 red pepper, de-seeded and finely sliced  • 150g/5oz bean sprouts • 1 large spring onion, sliced lengthways • 2 tbsp light soy sauce  • freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Cook the noodles in a pan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes until al dente (this means that they still have a bit of bit and are not completely soft), or according to packet instructions. Drain, then rinse under cold running water and drain again. Drizzle with a dash of sesame oil and toss through to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other. 
2. Place the chicken strips in a bowl and season with a dash of dark soy sauce, the five-spice powder and chilli sauce, if using. Mix well, then lightly dust the chicken strips with the cornflour.
3. Heat a wok until smoking and add the groundnut oil, then add the chicken and stir fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is golden-brown and cooked through. 
4. Add the red pepper and stir fry for one minute, then add the bean sprouts and spring onion and stir fry for 30 seconds. Stir in the cooked noodles and season with the light soy sauce, a dash of sesame oil and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Pile the noodles onto a serving plate and serve immediately.