If you’re craving a quick and delicious dinner idea, this Chicken Chow Mein recipe is exactly what you need. Bursting with bold flavors, tender chicken, and crunchy vegetables tossed in a savory sauce, it’s a comforting dish that comes together in minutes. Whether you’re new to Asian cooking or a seasoned enthusiast, this simple yet satisfying recipe is an easy way to enjoy homemade chow mein without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when time is tight.
- Bold Flavors: Savory soy sauce and aromatic garlic create a mouthwatering taste experience.
- Wholesome Ingredients: A colorful mix of vegetables adds freshness and crunch to every bite.
- Customizable: Easily tailored with your favorite veggies or protein swaps to suit your mood.
- Family Friendly: A sure hit for kids and adults alike, making dinner a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make the perfect Chicken Chow Mein, you only need a handful of fresh, simple ingredients. Each component serves an essential role, from the tender chicken breasts to the crisp vegetables and flavorful sauces that bring the dish to life.
- Chicken breasts: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tender texture.
- Egg noodles: The classic base that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
- Garlic and ginger: Fresh aromatics that build a strong flavor foundation.
- Bell peppers and carrots: Add vibrant color and crunch for balance.
- Green onions: Provide a mild sharpness and fresh garnish.
- Soy sauce: The salty umami ingredient that ties everything together.
- Oyster sauce: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth.
- Sesame oil: Just a drizzle for that irresistible nutty aroma.
- Vegetable oil: For stir-frying without overpowering flavors.
Variations for Chicken Chow Mein
This Chicken Chow Mein recipe is incredibly flexible, letting you mix and match ingredients to suit your preferences or pantry staples. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!
- Vegetarian style: Replace chicken with tofu or extra veggies for a meat-free version.
- Spicy kick: Add a dash of chili flakes or sriracha to spice things up.
- Seafood swap: Use shrimp or scallops for a coastal twist on this classic.
- Gluten-free: Use rice noodles and tamari sauce to keep it gluten-friendly.
- Extra crunch: Toss in water chestnuts or bean sprouts for added texture.
How to Make Chicken Chow Mein
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Begin by slicing the chicken breasts thinly to ensure quick, even cooking. Chop your bell peppers, carrots, and green onions into bite-sized strips or rounds. Mince the garlic and ginger finely so they release maximum flavor during cooking.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, then set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and stir-fry until it turns golden and is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Vegetables and Aromatics
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in the garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies are tender-crisp and their colors shine vibrantly.
Step 5: Combine and Flavor
Return the chicken to the pan along with the cooked noodles. Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Gently toss everything together on high heat for another 2 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped green onions over the top. Serve your Chicken Chow Mein hot with extra sauce if desired, and enjoy every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Chicken Chow Mein
- Prep in advance: Chop all your vegetables and slice the chicken before cooking to streamline the process.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Stir-fry in batches if necessary to ensure everything cooks evenly without steaming.
- Use high heat: This keeps vegetables crisp and chicken juicy while locking in flavor.
- Adjust sauces to taste: Soy and oyster sauce amounts can be tweaked for desired saltiness or sweetness.
- Fresh aromatics: Always use fresh garlic and ginger for the brightest flavors.
How to Serve Chicken Chow Mein
Garnishes
Fresh chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds add a lovely crunch and aroma, elevating the dish before it even reaches the table.
Side Dishes
Pair with simple sides like steamed dumplings, a crisp cucumber salad, or hot and sour soup for a complete, satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Chicken Chow Mein in colorful bowls with lime wedges on the side for a fresh zesty finish. You can also use crunchy wonton cups to offer a fun handheld version.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Chicken Chow Mein in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
Freezing
Though best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or microwave covered to avoid drying out, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to refresh the dish.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs add extra juiciness and work perfectly in this Chicken Chow Mein recipe.
What type of noodles are best for chow mein?
Egg noodles are traditional and cook quickly, but you can also use thin wheat noodles or even rice noodles depending on your preference.
Is there a vegetarian version of Chicken Chow Mein?
Yes, simply swap the chicken for tofu or extra vegetables like mushrooms and snap peas for a delicious veggie-friendly option.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and use gluten-free noodles to keep it safe for gluten-free diets.
How spicy is this dish?
This Chicken Chow Mein recipe is mild by default, but you can add chili flakes or hot sauce to increase the spice level to your liking.
Final Thoughts
This easy Chicken Chow Mein recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and bold flavor that can brighten up any weeknight dinner. With minimal ingredients, quick preparation, and endless customization options, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again. Go ahead, try it tonight and enjoy a comforting, homemade meal that feels like a warm hug.
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Chicken Chow Mein
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free noodles and tamari sauce)
Description
This Chicken Chow Mein recipe offers a quick, flavorful, and comforting Asian-inspired dinner. Featuring tender sliced chicken, crisp vegetables, and egg noodles tossed in a savory soy and oyster sauce blend, it’s ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, customizable to taste, and great for the whole family.
Ingredients
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
Noodles
- 8 oz egg noodles
Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or sliced
- 3 green onions, chopped (separate white and green parts)
Sauces and Oils
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Begin by slicing the chicken breasts thinly to ensure quick, even cooking. Chop your bell peppers, carrots, and green onions into bite-sized strips or rounds. Mince the garlic and ginger finely so they release maximum flavor during cooking.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, then set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and stir-fry until it turns golden and is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables and Aromatics: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Toss in the garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies are tender-crisp and their colors shine vibrantly.
- Combine and Flavor: Return the chicken to the pan along with the cooked noodles. Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Gently toss everything together on high heat for another 2 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle chopped green onions over the top. Serve your Chicken Chow Mein hot with extra sauce if desired, and enjoy every bite!
Notes
- Prep in advance: Chop all your vegetables and slice the chicken before cooking to streamline the process.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Stir-fry in batches if necessary to ensure everything cooks evenly without steaming.
- Use high heat: This keeps vegetables crisp and chicken juicy while locking in flavor.
- Adjust sauces to taste: Soy and oyster sauce amounts can be tweaked for desired saltiness or sweetness.
- Fresh aromatics: Always use fresh garlic and ginger for the brightest flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
