Chicken chow mein is a stir-fry sensation! It is the ultimate comfort food when you're craving something quick, tasty, and packed with flavor. Chow Mein, which translates to “stir-fried noodles” in Chinese, is a dish made from boiled and then fried noodles, tossed with vegetables, meat (in this case, chicken), and a flavorful sauce.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Chow Mein
Quick & Easy: With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal at home in under 30 minutes.
Customizable: Not a fan of certain veggies? Want more spice? Chow Mein is endlessly adaptable. You can throw in your favorite vegetables, adjust the sauce, or even change up the protein.
One-Pan Wonder: Fewer dishes, less hassle! Everything comes together in a single wok or large skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Kid-Friendly: Kids love noodles, and Chicken Chow Mein is a hit with even the pickiest eaters thanks to its mild yet flavorful sauce.
With its satisfying blend of stir-fried noodles, tender chicken, fresh veggies, and a savory sauce, it’s no wonder this dish has become a staple in kitchens and takeout menus around the world.
If you prefer a vegetarian option, try the vegetable chow mein and it pairs amazing with spicy chili paneer or gobi manchurian
Ingredients you need for Chicken Chow Mein
Chicken - I used chicken thigh, that I sliced in thin strips. You can use chicken breast too. Another option I use occasionally is use left over roasted chicken, that I would shred and add almost at the end to toss up with noodles and the sauce. I use this variety of dried noodle for this dish
Vegetables of your choice - You can omit the vegetables or add as many varieties of vegetables you like. I added carrots, green onion and onion too. Sometimes I also add snow peas and green beans.
Garlic - When it comes to chow mein, I always prefer to add a lot of minced garlic along with green chili too. I kept it very mild by not adding green chili, but you can add some finely chopped for that extra heat.
Sauce - It is the umami sauce that binds it all together. I add soy sauce, white vinegar, sesame oil and ketchup. Mix it all together and the sauce is ready.
Apart from this you will need oil to prepare, salt and pepper to season the dish.
This is a fairly simple dish that comes together very easily without much work at all. Quick, versatile, and perfect for any weeknight dinner, Chicken Chow Mein is a comfort food classic with endless ways to customize!
Steps to prepare
1- Always boil the noodle in advance so you have enough time to cool it down before you make the chow mein. If you add hot noodles then, it will stick to the pan and make it mushy. After boiling the noodles, layer it on a colander to cool it down and the moisture will go away too.
2- In a heavy bottom hot wok, add the oil and once it heats up add the minced garlic and sauté for a few seconds. Then add the sliced onion and toss it around for 2 minutes.
3- Add the chicken strips, add salt, pepper and toss it around to cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
4- Scatter the carrots and half of the green onion. Toss it around to cook for a while.
5- In a bowl or cup, make the sauce by adding all the ingredients listed below in the recipe card. Give a mix.
6- Pour the sauce all over and continue cooking the chicken for another 3 to 4 minutes. Depending on the size of the chicken strips, it will cook faster or slower.
7- Once the chicken is cooked, though, add the cooled down noodles and toss it around. Add a good doze of freshly cracked pepper.
8 - Toss everything together and make sure to taste for salt. Add more if needed. Finish it by adding a bit more of sliced green onion.
Serve it warm with your choice of sides, or enjoy it plain.
FAQ
The primary difference is in how the noodles are cooked. Chow Mein noodles are stir-fried, resulting in a slightly crispy texture, while Lo Mein noodles are boiled and tossed with sauce, making them softer. Both dishes use similar ingredients but differ in preparation.
Yes! You can prepare the components (like chopping veggies and cooking the chicken) ahead of time. However, it’s best to stir-fry everything fresh before serving to maintain the texture of the noodles.
Common vegetables include bell peppers, carrots, onions, cabbage, and snap peas. However, you can get creative with other veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, or even spinach.
Definitely! While chicken is the most common, you can substitute it with shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the protein you choose.
Chicken Chow Mein is the kind of dish that ticks all the boxes—it’s easy to make, satisfying, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a hungry family, this dish will always deliver. The combination of tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and savory noodles is hard to resist, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
So the next time you’re craving a quick and flavorful meal, whip up a batch of Chicken Chow Mein. It’s certain to hit the spot!
If you enjoy this dish, you will also enjoy Burnt Garlic Fried Rice
Chicken Chow Mein
Ingredients
- 8 Oz Dried Noodles
- 2 Boneless chicken thigh (Slice into thin strips)
- 1 Carrot (Thinly sliced)
- 3 Green onion (Thinly sliced)
- 1 Red onion (Thinly sliced)
- 7 Garlic cloves (Finely grated or chopped)
- 2 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
- 2 teaspoon Freshly cracked black pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoon Dark Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 2 tablespoon White Vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Ketchup
Instructions
- Boil enough water to boil the noodles as per the packet instructions. It should be typically 4 to 5 minutes. Once done, drain the water and layer the noodle on a colander to cool it down completely before you prepare the dish.
- When the noodle has cooled down to room temperature, heat a big, heavy bottom wok.
- Pour the oil and add the grated or finely chopped garlic. Stir it around for a few seconds and then add the sliced onion. Stir it around and cook the onion for a few minutes.
- Add the chicken and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Toss the chicken strips and cook it for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add the carrot and green onion and toss it around.
- Prepare the sauce by mixing everything in a cup and pour it to the pan. Toss it around and cook the sauce for a couple of minutes.
- Finally, add the noodles and add some more freshly cracked black pepper. Toss everything around to incorporate the sauce evenly. Taste for salt and add more if needed.
- Finish it by adding a bit more green onion and serve warm.
