Easy Chicken Chow Mein

Easy Chicken Chow Mein is a delicious Chinese stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken, crunchy vegetables like carrots, cabbage, celery, and onions, all tossed with crispy chow mein noodles in a savory sauce. This recipe allows you to recreate the flavors of your favorite takeout at home, quickly and easily.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Chicken Chow Mein at home allows you to customize the ingredients and control the amount of sauce and seasoning. It’s a healthier alternative to takeout, packed with fresh vegetables and lean protein, and it’s perfect for satisfying your Chinese food cravings without leaving the house.

How to Make Easy Chicken Chow Mein

Chow Mein Sauce:

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 ½ tablespoons hoisin sauce or oyster sauce
1 tablespoon grated ginger or ginger paste
1 tablespoon mirin or granulated sugar
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (optional)
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Chow Mein:

8 ounces chow mein noodles (see notes)
½ teaspoon sesame oil
2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil
1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into thin bite-size pieces
4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
2 carrots, julienned
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

Boil chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain well and toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, grated ginger, mirin (or sugar), Chinese cooking wine (if using), sesame oil, and cornstarch. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Working in two batches, add the noodles to the skillet and cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until crispy. Flip and crisp the other side. Transfer crispy noodles to a bowl and set aside.
In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add shredded cabbage and julienned carrots. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Reduce heat to medium-low, add minced garlic and chopped green onions to the skillet. Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly.
Increase heat to medium, return cooked chicken and crispy noodles to the skillet. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir well to combine everything.
Cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and coated all ingredients evenly.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Chow Mein

Serve Chicken Chow Mein hot, garnished with extra green onions or sesame seeds if desired. It’s perfect as a main dish for dinner or lunch.

How to Store Easy Chicken Chow Mein

Store any leftover Chicken Chow Mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or skillet until heated through before serving.

Tips to Make Easy Chicken Chow Mein

Use fresh chow mein noodles for the best texture, or substitute with spaghetti or linguine noodles if needed.
Adjust the amount of soy sauce or hoisin sauce to suit your taste preferences.

FAQs

1. Can I use different vegetables in this recipe? Yes, you can customize the vegetables to your liking. Snow peas, bell peppers, or bean sprouts are great additions.

2. What can I substitute for Chinese cooking wine? You can use dry sherry or omit it altogether if you prefer.

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time? While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the components (cook noodles, chop vegetables, marinate chicken) ahead of time for quicker assembly when ready to cook.

Enjoy making and savoring this easy and flavorful Chicken Chow Mein dish at home!