Chicken Lo Mein – This classic Chinese-inspired noodle dish is packed with flavor and loaded with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables a perfect blend of chewy lo mein noodles, and a soy-based sauce that’s irresistibly tasty.
What is Chicken Lo Mein?
Chicken Lo Mein is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine, featuring stir-fried egg noodles tossed with a mix of vegetables, chicken, and a savory sauce. The term “lo mein” translates to “tossed noodles,” emphasizing the mixing of the noodles with the sauce and other ingredients for a flavorful, cohesive dish.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chicken Lo Mein
Achieving restaurant-quality Chicken Lo Mein at home is easier than you think! Here are some pro tips to make your dish shine:
- Protein Tip: Slice the chicken thinly against the grain for tender, juicy bites. Marinating it in a bit of soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil enhances flavor and texture.
- Cook Noodles Just Right: Boil your lo mein noodles until they are al dente, as they’ll continue cooking when stir-fried with the sauce. Overcooked noodles can become mushy.
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Since stir-frying happens quickly, have all your ingredients sliced, diced, and measured before you start cooking.
- High Heat is Key: Use a wok or large skillet on high heat to achieve that smoky, seared flavor commonly found in restaurant stir-fries.
- Choose the Right Soy Sauce: Use a combination of light and dark soy sauces for depth of flavor. Light soy sauce adds saltiness, while dark soy sauce brings color and richness.
- Don’t Skimp on Sesame Oil: A drizzle of sesame oil adds authentic aroma and nuttiness to your dish.
Chicken Lo Mein Variations
One of the best things about Chicken Lo Mein is its versatility. Here are some ways to customize the dish to suit your taste or dietary needs:
- Vegetarian Lo Mein: Skip the chicken and add tofu, mushrooms, or extra veggies like zucchini and bell peppers.
- Shrimp Lo Mein: Substitute chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist.
- Spicy Lo Mein: Add chili oil or sriracha to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Low-Carb Option: Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash in place of traditional lo mein noodles.
- Gluten-Free Alternative: Opt for rice noodles or gluten-free soy sauce.
How to Serve Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein is a one-bowl wonder that doesn’t need much accompaniment. However, it pairs beautifully with other Asian-inspired dishes, such as:
- Spring Rolls: Crispy and flavorful, they make a great appetizer.
- Hot and Sour Soup: A warming, tangy soup to complement the rich noodles.
- Steamed Dumplings: Another classic favorite that pairs well with lo mein.
- Pickled Vegetables: The tanginess cuts through the richness of the noodles.
For a complete family-style meal, serve Chicken Lo Mein alongside white rice and a side of sautéed greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein is excellent for meal prep and leftovers. Here’s how to store it:
- Refrigeration: Transfer the cooled lo mein to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the dish in portions. Place it in freezer-safe bags or containers, and it will last up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm the lo mein in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to refresh the noodles. Microwave reheating works too, but the skillet method retains texture and flavor.
Recipe FAQs
1. What’s the difference between lo mein and chow mein?
Lo mein noodles are boiled and tossed with sauce, resulting in a soft texture, while chow mein noodles are fried for a crispier bite.
2. Can I make Chicken Lo Mein without a wok?
Absolutely! A large, non-stick skillet works perfectly fine. Just ensure it’s large enough to toss the ingredients without spilling.
3. Can I use spaghetti instead of lo mein noodles?
Yes, spaghetti or linguine can be a good substitute. While it won’t have the exact texture of authentic lo mein noodles, it works in a pinch.
4. What vegetables work best for Chicken Lo Mein?
Common choices include bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, snap peas, and mushrooms. Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand.
5. How can I make the sauce healthier?
Reduce the sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and skipping the added sugar. You can also replace part of the soy sauce with coconut aminos for a lighter flavor.
Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein - This classic Chinese-inspired noodle dish is packed with flavor and loaded with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables a perfect blend of chewy lo mein noodles, and a soy-based sauce that’s irresistibly tasty.
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry:
- 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (~1 lb), diced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp peanut oil (or olive oil), plus extra if needed
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 2 ½ cups mixed stir-fry vegetables (your choice)
- 10 oz lo mein noodles
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup beef broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (or honey)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp hot sauce (Frank’s or Sriracha)
- ¼ tsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Mix all sauce ingredients in a large measuring cup with a spout. Set aside ¼ cup of it in a bowl for the chicken marinade.
- Tenderize chicken (optional), then pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate the chicken in the reserved ¼ cup sauce while you chop veggies and boil water for the noodles.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3 minutes on one side, toss, and cook another 2-3 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Deglaze the skillet with wine, scraping up brown bits to infuse flavor. Let it reduce by half (about 2 minutes).
- Cook lo mein noodles according to package instructions, but stop 1 minute before they’re al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add vegetables to the skillet with a bit more oil if needed. Stir-fry for 3 minutes to soften. Pour in the sauce and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Gradually add the noodles to the skillet, tossing to combine. Let them absorb the sauce for the perfect texture and flavor.
- Toss the chicken back into the skillet, stirring until everything is heated through.
- Plate your Chicken Lo Mein and top with garnishes like sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of extra sesame oil.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 411Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 52mgSodium 2272mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 4gSugar 8gProtein 28g
All Chicken Recipes.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 allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Why You’ll Love Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein isn’t just a dish—it’s a gateway to bold, delicious flavors that are easy to create at home. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a customizable meal that satisfies the whole family, this recipe delivers every time. Give it a try and bring the taste of your favorite takeout right into your kitchen!
Very good. I added more hoisin sauce ( 1/2 c instead of 1/4 c) and it turned out ok. I like that it’s easy to substitute different vegetables and meat. It’s a great weekday dinner for this working mom!
Delicious dinner! I followed some of the other suggestions for extra flavor. I marinated the chicken and added garlic, ginger and sesame oil for sauteeing. I also increased the hoisin sauce to 1/2 cup. Thank you for the recipe!
Thanks for trying out
What did you marinate the chicken in?
Thank you!
Actually I don’t marinate the chicken, I added the raw chicken directly to the skillet.. Please follow the instructions for detailed info.
Omg. I just made this and wow is it delicious, not quite Chinese lo main but non the less its so good and easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. Will definitely make again
I wish I read your comment before making it because I think that’s what it was missing some garlic and ginger.
Made as recipe specified, needs more seasoning, maybe garlic and ginger. Would also marinate chicken for more flavor.
Thanks for your suggestion, and yes marinating the chicken will surely enhance the flavor.
My husband, my son and I absolutely LOVED this recipe! It was easy to make, smelled great, and it was devoured at dinner. Thankfully I had made enough with some left over, which I planned to pack in my son’s lunch the next day, but that was foiled as he ate up every last bit after his hockey practice! This recipe will be a regular from now on in our household!
I am so happy that your whole family loved it!
Can I use onion, garlic and ginger too?
Yes of course! Add little oil to the pan and saute ginger, minced garlic, and chopped onion before adding the broccoli and bell pepper.
Hope this helps!
Just made this as veggie low main. I used carrots, green peppers, baby Bella mushrooms, sugar snap peas and red onions. Very good. I did sauté the veggies in canola and sesame oil with ground ginger and garlic for a little extra flavor. I will make again and try chicken or beef.
Thanks Linda for your comment
My whole family LOVED this recipe. We added sweet snap peas
Thanks for your sweet comment!
I can’t find lo mein noodles – I wonder if spaghetti noodles would be close enough???
I haven’t tried it with spaghetti noodles, but you can give it a try and let me know how it goes
I saw a chef on TV use spaghetti noodles for lo mein. It seemed to work for him. I’m going to try it tonight.
I made this for my family this evening and it was a hit! Soooo tasty, thank you for sharing
Thanks for your feedback Gemma!
Soooo tasty!!!!! Been looking for a recipe like this forever!! Thanks so much!!! My hubby and lil one said best ever!!!
I found it extremely difficult to add the chicken in with the vegetables. It was hard to make sure the chicken was cooked properly with the veg in there already. I would definitely suggest cooking the chicken in a separate pan. At the end it tasted fine but just kind of blah. Do you have any suggestions and how to add more flavor? My husband would like more heat but I don’t. What could I add to his half to add more heat in my have to add more flavor ?
OMG soooo good!!! We doubled everything and used edamame instead of snow peas since the store was out of snow peas. This will be added to our rotation. And I sent to friends to try!
Very easy and really good! I used Chinese 5-Spice on my raw chicken, plus more hoisin sauce and added ginger. Will definitely make again!
I used cut up rotisserie chicken. It worked well as I only had to sauté the vegetables/
Really good. I added onions,garlic, ginger and since I couldn’t find Lo mien noodles I used spaghetti noodles. Turned out great. I marinated and precooked the chicken.
I use Ramen noodles which aren’t as big as the lo mein or spaghetti noodles. I don’t use the little packet of seasoning in the lo mein, I boil the noodles in it.