Chicken Chow Mein

why make this recipe

Chicken Chow Mein is a delicious and satisfying dish that brings the flavors of Asian cooking right to your kitchen. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun dinner with friends. Making Chicken Chow Mein at home allows you to customize it to your taste and control the ingredients, ensuring a meal that everyone will love.

how to make Chicken Chow Mein

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 8 ounces chow mein noodles or spaghetti

For the Best Chow Mein Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions


  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.



  2. Prepare the Chow Mein Sauce: In another bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, chicken broth, sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic until combined; set aside.



  3. Cook the Noodles: Cook chow mein noodles or spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain them and set aside.



  4. Stir-Fry the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.



  5. Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and shredded carrots. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Then, add the shredded cabbage and bean sprouts, continuing to stir-fry for another 2 minutes.



  6. Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the cooked noodles. Pour the prepared chow mein sauce over everything and toss until well coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Lastly, add the sliced green onions, giving it one final toss.



  7. Serve: Serve the Chicken Chow Mein hot, and feel free to garnish with additional green onions if you like.


how to serve Chicken Chow Mein

Serve Chicken Chow Mein hot on a large plate or in individual bowls. For an extra touch, you can garnish with additional green onions or sesame seeds. This dish pairs well with a side of egg rolls or spring rolls for a complete meal.

how to store Chicken Chow Mein

To store Chicken Chow Mein, let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to store it for longer, consider freezing it. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe container and it can last for up to 2 months.

tips to make Chicken Chow Mein

  • Vegetable Variations: Feel free to mix in other vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli.
  • Noodle Choice: If you can’t find chow mein noodles, spaghetti works just fine as a substitute.
  • Flavor Boost: Add a splash of rice vinegar or chili sauce for an extra kick.

variation

You can easily turn this Chicken Chow Mein into a vegetarian dish by substituting the chicken with tofu and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also include an array of fresh vegetables to keep it colorful and nutritious.

FAQs


  1. Can I make Chicken Chow Mein in advance?
    Yes, you can prepare the Chicken Chow Mein a few hours ahead of time. Just reheat it in a skillet over medium heat.



  2. What can I use instead of chow mein noodles?
    You can use spaghetti, rice noodles, or even zucchini noodles for a lower-carb option.



  3. Is Chicken Chow Mein spicy?
    No, Chicken Chow Mein is not typically spicy. However, you can add chili sauce or red pepper flakes if you like heat!


Chicken Chow Mein

A delicious and satisfying dish featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce; perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun dinner with friends.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce for marinating chicken
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch for marinating chicken
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for stir-frying
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 3 pieces green onions, sliced for garnish and mixing
  • 8 ounces chow mein noodles or spaghetti can substitute with spaghetti
Chow Mein Sauce
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth can substitute with vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, mix the thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, chicken broth, sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic until combined; set aside.
  3. Cook chow mein noodles or spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Cooking
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and shredded carrots. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the shredded cabbage and bean sprouts, continuing to stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
  3. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the cooked noodles. Pour the prepared chow mein sauce over everything and toss until well coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Lastly, add the sliced green onions, giving it one final toss.
Serving
  1. Serve the Chicken Chow Mein hot, garnished with additional green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

Feel free to mix in other vegetables like bell peppers or snow peas. Add a splash of rice vinegar or chili sauce for extra flavor. This dish can be made vegetarian by substituting chicken with tofu and using vegetable broth.