Description
Chicken Chow Mein is a quick, flavorful stir-fry dish combining tender chicken, fresh crisp vegetables, and chewy noodles tossed in a rich savory sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, this recipe is versatile and customizable, delivering a comforting yet healthy dinner option bursting with balanced textures and umami flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
Noodles
- 8 oz lo mein or egg noodles
Vegetables
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
- 1/2 cup snap peas or snow peas
- 2 green onions, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Sauces and Oils
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Optional Garnishes
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Crushed peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the noodles: Boil the lo mein or egg noodles according to package instructions until tender but still slightly firm. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink and lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics and vegetables: In the same pan, add a little more vegetable oil if needed. Add minced garlic and ginger, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, and snap peas. Stir frequently and cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Combine and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the drained noodles. Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and drizzle sesame oil on top. Toss everything vigorously to coat all ingredients evenly and heat through for another 2 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped green onions. Serve immediately, garnished with extra green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts if desired.
Notes
- Use high heat when stir-frying to seal in juices and keep vegetables crisp.
- Slice ingredients thinly to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Do not overcook noodles; slightly undercooked noodles prevent mushiness later.
- Prepare and chop all ingredients and mix sauces before cooking for smooth workflow.
- Add sauce gradually to avoid an overly salty dish—start with half and adjust to taste.
- Rinse cooked noodles under cold water and optionally toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Chicken Chow Mein, stir-fry noodles, Chinese chicken noodles, quick dinner, weeknight meal, savory chicken, vegetable stir-fry, Asian cuisine