Chicken Chow Mein is a takeout classic savory, stir-fried noodle dish combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and flavorful sauces for a meal that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare.
What is Chicken Chow Mein?
Chicken Chow Mein is a Chinese-inspired dish featuring stir-fried noodles, chicken, and a medley of vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage. The term “Chow Mein” translates to “stir-fried noodles,” and this dish embodies the perfect balance of textures and flavors with its chewy noodles, succulent chicken, and vibrant vegetables, all coated in a savory sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Customizable: Adaptable to your favorite vegetables and proteins.
- Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser for all ages.
- Authentic Flavors: Tastes just like your favorite takeout but healthier and more budget-friendly.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken Chow Mein
- Use High Heat: Stir-frying requires high heat to achieve the signature smoky flavor known as “wok hei.” If you don’t have a wok, a large skillet will work too.
- Prep Everything First: Stir-frying happens quickly, so chop your vegetables, cook your noodles, and prepare your sauce before you start cooking.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Slightly undercook the noodles during boiling since they will finish cooking in the stir-fry.
- Velvet the Chicken: Coat the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, and a touch of oil before cooking. This keeps it tender and juicy.
- Balance Your Sauce: A perfect Chow Mein sauce is a mix of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar. Adjust the ratios to suit your taste.
Variations of Chicken Chow Mein
- Protein Swaps:
- Beef Chow Mein: Substitute chicken with thinly sliced beef.
- Shrimp Chow Mein: Use peeled and deveined shrimp for a seafood twist.
- Vegetarian Chow Mein: Skip the meat and add tofu or extra vegetables like broccoli and snap peas.
- Noodle Options:
- Use lo mein noodles, spaghetti, or rice noodles if you can’t find Chow Mein noodles.
- Spicy Version:
- Add a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Gluten-Free:
- Use gluten-free noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
Chicken Chow Mein Vs Chicken Lo Mein
A few days back I have shared Chicken Lo mein, if you haven’t checked it go check it first, Chow mein means Stir-fried noodles whereas Lo mein means Tossed noodles. The texture is crispy while in lo mein the texture is Soft. Both are Chinese dishes made with Egg noodles – wheat flour with egg. That’s all for now.
Chicken Chow Mein – Sauces
The game changer of this dish is the combination of all the sauces like Oyster Sauce, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, pepper and cornflour/cornstarch.
How to Serve Chicken Chow Mein
- Main Dish: Enjoy it as a standalone meal for lunch or dinner.
- Side Dish: Pair it with spring rolls, dumplings, or a hot bowl of wonton soup.
- Buffet-Style: Include it in a spread with other Asian-inspired dishes like fried rice or sweet and sour chicken.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Chow Mein
Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to restore moisture.
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Chicken Chow Mein freezes well for up to 2 months. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make Chicken Chow Mein ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the noodles, sauce, and vegetables in advance, and stir-fry everything just before serving for the freshest taste.
2. What is the difference between Chow Mein and Lo Mein?
The key difference lies in the noodles and cooking method. Chow Mein noodles are stir-fried for a slightly crispy texture, while Lo Mein noodles are boiled and tossed in sauce.
3. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie or leftover chicken works well. Just add it during the final stir-fry stage to heat through.
4. How do I prevent soggy noodles?
Drain the noodles thoroughly after boiling and avoid overloading the pan to ensure even cooking.
Healthy Chicken Chow Mein – What to Use (Wok or Pot)
Well, you can use anything you want to, but as we know that chow mein means a stir-fried dish/Fried Noodles, and what’s better than a wok when it comes to stir-frying. It’s totally your choice!
Chicken Chow Mein
Chicken Chow Mein is a takeout classic savory, stir-fried noodle dish combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and flavorful sauces for a meal that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare.
Ingredients
MARINADE
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (80 mL)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 200-250g chicken breasts, cubed
- ½ onion, julienned
- 4 carrots, julienned
- 3 cups cabbage, shredded (300 g)
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (360 mL)
- 2 Packages noodles (ramen)
For Garnishing
- Scallion
Instructions
- Combine ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, sugar, and pepper in a bowl.
- Marinade the chicken pieces with half of the mixture in the refrigerator for at least an hour and reserve rest for later use.
- Heat a large pot/Wok over medium-high heat and add the marinated chicken and cook until tender and cooked. Remove from the wok.
- Now add sesame oil and add the celery, carrots, onion, and cabbage. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Now place the noodles into the bottom of the pot and pour in chicken broth over the noodles.
- Cover with a lid and simmer until the noodles are cooked through for 5-7 minutes.
- Open the cover and pour in the reserved marinade along with chicken pieces and stir to combine. That's it!
- Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with scallions.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
2Amount Per Serving Calories 430Total Fat 30gTrans Fat 0gCarbohydrates 50gProtein 28g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Final Thoughts
Making Chicken Chow Mein at home is a game-changer. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but it’s also customizable to suit your preferences. By following the tips and tricks shared here, you’ll achieve restaurant-quality results every time. So, grab your wok and get cooking—your perfect bowl of Chicken Chow Mein awaits!
