🍜 Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

🥢 Introduction to Chicken Chow Mein

Craving a dish that's quick, savory, and absolutely slurp-worthy? Chicken Chow Mein is a Chinese takeout classic made at home in under 30 minutes! This recipe is perfect for beginners, uses everyday ingredients, and packs a punch of flavor that rivals any restaurant.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One pan = less cleanup!
Bold soy-garlic flavor
Full of healthy veggies
Ready in 25 minutes

The MBC Framework: Mindset, Behavior, Consequence

Mindset: You want a delicious, easy homemade meal that’s better than takeout.
Behavior: You learn this simple Chicken Chow Mein recipe step-by-step.
Consequence: You impress yourself (and maybe your friends) with your stir-fry skills.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Main Ingredients

2 chicken breasts (sliced thin)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp ginger (grated)
200g chow mein noodles (or egg noodles)
1 cup cabbage (shredded)
1/2 cup carrot (julienned)
1/2 onion (sliced)
1/2 cup bean sprouts (optional)
2 green onions (sliced)
2 tbsp oil for stir-frying

Optional Add-ins

Bell peppers
Mushrooms
Broccoli florets
Chili flakes

🔪 Kitchen Tools Required

Large skillet or wok
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Mixing bowls
Tongs or spatula

🥕 Preparation Before Cooking

Chopping Vegetables

Slice all vegetables into thin strips for even cooking. This also makes it easier to toss everything together quickly during stir-fry.

Marinating the Chicken

In a bowl, combine sliced chicken, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce, garlic, and ginger. Let it marinate for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.

Cooking Noodles Right

Boil noodles according to the package. Rinse with cold water and toss in 1 tsp sesame oil to keep them from sticking.

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Chicken Chow Mein Recipe with Images

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the chow mein noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. In a small bowl, toss the cooked noodles with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

In a separate small bowl, combine the chicken pieces with cornstarch and ground ginger. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the carrots and celery and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add the broccoli florets and sliced mushrooms and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Step 5: Make the Sauce

In the same skillet with the vegetables, whisk together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce slightly thickens, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Add the cooked noodles and toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and everything is well combined and heated through. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

✨ Pro Tips for the Best Chow Mein

Use high heat for that authentic “wok hei” flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed.
Prep everything ahead—this dish cooks fast!

🥗 Nutritional Value per Serving

Calories: 420
Protein: 30g
Carbs: 45g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 4g

🍴 Variations to Try

Vegetarian Version

Skip the chicken and add tofu or more veggies like bok choy or snow peas.

Spicy Chow Mein

Add chili garlic sauce or sliced red chilies while stir-frying.

Shrimp or Beef Option

Swap chicken with thinly sliced beef or shrimp for a different protein twist.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using spaghetti instead of real noodles (use egg or chow mein noodles!)
Not pre-heating the wok
Skipping the marination step
Overcooking the veggies into mush

🧊 How to Store and Reheat

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for the best texture. Add a splash of water to loosen it up.

🥡 What to Serve With Chicken Chow Mein

Spring rolls
Hot and sour soup
Asian cucumber salad
Steamed dumplings

✅ Advantages and ❌ Disadvantages of Chicken Chow Mein

✅ Advantages of Chicken Chow Mein

1. Quick and Easy to Make

One of the biggest perks of Chicken Chow Mein is how fast it comes together. With some basic chopping and stir-frying, you can have a hot, satisfying meal on the table in just 25–30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!

2. Budget-Friendly Meal

Chicken, noodles, and veggies are all affordable ingredients. This makes it a cost-effective choice, especially for families or meal prepping on a budget.

3. Packed with Flavor

Thanks to ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, Chicken Chow Mein delivers a bold umami taste that’s savory, slightly sweet, and addictive.

4. High in Protein

With lean chicken as the star ingredient, this dish is a great source of muscle-building protein, making it ideal for active lifestyles or post-workout meals.

5. Customizable to Taste

Vegetarian? Spicy food lover? No problem. Chow mein is super flexible—just swap in tofu, beef, shrimp, or extra veggies to suit your preferences.

6. Great for Leftovers

This dish stores and reheats well, making it an excellent option for meal prep or packed lunches the next day.

7. Balanced One-Pan Meal

You’ve got carbs, protein, and fiber-rich veggies—all in one pan. It’s a nutritionally balanced meal that doesn’t require sides (unless you want to level up with spring rolls or soup).

8. Kid-Friendly

Kids love noodles! The mild flavors and fun texture make it a kid-approved dinner that’s easy to sneak veggies into.

❌ Disadvantages of Chicken Chow Mein

1. High in Sodium (If Not Controlled)

Many traditional sauces like soy and oyster sauce are high in sodium. If you're watching your salt intake, you'll need to choose low-sodium alternatives or limit the sauce quantity.

2. Can Be High in Carbs

Since noodles are the base, this dish can be carb-heavy, which might not align with low-carb or keto diets. Consider using zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles for a lighter version.

3. Stir-Frying Needs High Heat

Authentic chow mein gets its flavor from high-heat stir-frying, which may be difficult without a good-quality wok or gas stove.

4. Easily Overcooked Veggies

Since everything cooks fast, there's a risk of overcooking the vegetables, especially if you're new to stir-frying. Prep ahead to avoid this issue.

5. Might Contain Allergens

Common ingredients like soy, gluten (from noodles or sauces), and sesame could be allergens. Always check labels and adjust for dietary needs.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Making Chicken Chow Mein at home is easier than you think—and way more satisfying than ordering out! With this foolproof recipe, you can whip up a tasty, colorful, and hearty dish in no time. Whether it’s dinner for one or a crowd-pleasing party meal, this chow mein has your back.

❓FAQs

1. Can I use spaghetti if I don’t have chow mein noodles?

You can, but for the best texture and taste, stick with chow mein or egg noodles.

2. Is chicken chow mein healthy?

Yes! It includes lean protein and lots of veggies. Control your oil and sauce portions for a healthier version.

3. Can I freeze chicken chow mein?

Freezing is not ideal—it affects the noodle texture. Best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

4. What’s the difference between chow mein and lo mein?

Chow mein is stir-fried for a crispy texture; lo mein is tossed with sauce and softer noodles.

5. Can I meal prep this recipe?

Absolutely! Just store the sauce separately and toss when reheating for the freshest result.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe