Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published January 5, 2019. Updated April 16, 2019

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This Chow Mein Recipe is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese restaurantbut it’s made at home inunder30 minutes! It’s made with tender noodles, fresh sauteed veggies, lean chicken, and a simple savory sauce. A crave-worthy dinner!

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

This will likely become one of your go to dinner recipes because it’s soeasy to make yet it tastes so delicious!I mean who doesn’t love diving into a big bowl of noodles?

My whole family loves this recipe and I love how quickly it comes together, plus it’s one of those recipes we all agree on. Instead of complaints about what’s for dinner the kids request this!

What Ingredients do I Need for Chow Mein?

  • Fresh chow mein noodles– yakisoba or dry thin spaghetti are great subsitutes.
  • Vegetables –celery, cabbage, matchstick carrots,garlic, green onions, ginger.
  • Seasonings – low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar.
  • Chicken breasts – chicken thighs will work great too, just a cook a few minutes longer. You can omit chicken if you are just making it as a side dish.

Want to see how easy this Chow Mein Recipe is? Watch the video!

How do You Make Chinese Chow Mein?

  • Prepare noodles according to directions on package.
  • In a bowl whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and sesame oil, set aside.
  • Heat oil in a wok or large and deep non-stick skillet over moderately high heat.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (2)

  • Add chicken (working to leave a little space between pieces so they’ll brown) and cook 3 – 4 minutes.
  • Turn and continue to cook until cooked through, about 2 – 3 minutes longer.
  • Transfer to a plate or sheet of foil.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

  • Reduce heat slightly add remaining 1 Tbsp oil in skillet, add celery and saute 3 minutes.
  • Add cabbage and saute 2 minutes, then add carrots, green onions, garlic and ginger and saute 1 – 2 minutes longer, until veggies are all crisp tender.
  • Toss in noodles and chicken then pour soy sauce mixture over top and toss to coat. Serve warm.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (4)

What is the Best Type of Noodle to Use for Chow Mein?

Dry thin spaghetti is a good choice with it’s neutral flavor and it’s so easy to find.

  • Yakisoba is my go-to choice. They’re found in refrigerated packaged food in the produce section of some grocery stores (I buy Fortune brand at Kroger).
  • Fresh chow mein noodles (Hong Kong style noodles)are a good option but they are harder to find in the U.S. They are available at some Asian grocery stores. Honestly though I prefer the yakisoba better here since they don’t have a lightly sour flavor and they aren’t as greasy.
  • Dry spaghetti. I’ve used this and it works great here too. It has a neutral flavor and similar texture. Regular or thin will work.
  • Dry chow mein noodles (not the crispy crackers obviously) will work too. I haven’t tried this option yet so I couldn’t give my opinion but I’m guessing it’s similar to the spaghetti option (but made with wheat flour vs. semolina).

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (5)

Can I Use Other Vegetables?

I like the classic vegetable blend here but you can definitely swap in some you might already have like bean sprouts, mushrooms, bell peppers, snow peas, or water chestnuts.

Do I Have to Use Oyster Sauce?

Don’t worry about the finished dish tasting like oysters from the sauce, it just gives it a nice depth of flavor.

When I don’t have any in my fridge I’ve have used hoisin sauce in it’s place, so if you insist on skipping it go with hoisin. They taste very different but either will add rich delicious flavor.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (6)

More Delicious Chinese Recipes to Try!

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  • Baked Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Orange Chicken
  • Chicken Fried Rice
  • Cashew Chicken
  • Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (7)

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Chicken Chow Mein

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This chow mein is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant! It's made with tender noodles, fresh sauteed veggies, lean chicken, and a simple savory sauce. A crave-worthy dinner!

Watch the video

Servings: 4

Prep15 minutes minutes

Cook15 minutes minutes

Ready in: 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare noodles according to directions on package.

  • In a bowl whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and sesame oil, set aside.

  • Heat oil in a wok or large and deep non-stick skillet over moderately high heat.

  • Add chicken (working to leave a little space between pieces so they'll brown) and cook 3 - 4 minutes, turn and continue to cook until cooked through, about 2 - 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate or sheet of foil.

  • Reduce heat slightly add remaining 1 Tbsp oil in skillet, add celery and saute 3 minutes.

  • Add cabbage and saute 2 minutes, then add carrots, green onions, garlic and ginger and saute 1 - 2 minutes longer, until veggies are all crisp tender.

  • Toss in noodles and chicken then pour soy sauce mixture over top and toss to coat. Serve warm.

Notes

  • *8 oz dry spaghetti (thin or regular) will work great too.
  • **Chicken thighs will work great too. Cook a few minutes longer as needed.
  • ***I've also made this with hoisin sauce in place of oyster sauce when I don't have it. They have much different flavors but both give a delicious flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Chow Mein

Amount Per Serving

Calories 464Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 105mg35%

Sodium 878mg38%

Potassium 845mg24%

Carbohydrates 52g17%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 8410IU168%

Vitamin C 27.8mg34%

Calcium 84mg8%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Chicken Chow Mein, Chow Mein

Author: Jaclyn

Originally shared March 2015.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What makes chow mein taste like chow mein? ›

The careful combination of ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce and sugar results in a chow mein sauce that has hints of both savory and sweet notes.

What is the sauce in chow mein made of? ›

The BEST Chow Mein Sauce:

Combine soy sauce, light sesame oil, oyster sauce, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the signature sweet and savory sauce that makes chow mein taste authentic.

How do you make chow mein not soggy? ›

An expert chef's tip for perfect chow mein

Before frying them, it's best to steam the noodles rather than boil them, then dunk them in the hot water for just a minute. Remember to let the noodles cool down. When you're pan frying the noodles, let them cook and crisp up, and don't move them around too much.

What are the white crunchy things in chow mein? ›

The white Chinese crispy noodles are called "chow mein noodles." They are made from wheat flour and are often deep-fried until crispy. Chow mein noodles are a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and are used in dishes such as chow mein and crispy noodle salad.

Can you use spaghetti noodles for chow mein? ›

Spaghettis won't turn soggy or sticky too easily, and they can hold the sauce on its surface very well. Therefore spaghetti is a perfect substitution of chow mein to make Chinese style stir fry noodles.

Do you boil chow mein noodles before frying? ›

With fresh noodles, you want to steam them before frying them. If you only have access to dried noodles, boil them according to the instructions but don't overcook them, run under cold water to stop the cooking, and then proceed with the rest of the recipe.

What's difference in lo mein and chow mein? ›

The biggest difference between chow mein and lo mein lies in the translations of their names: chow mein is fried, and lo mein is tossed. The experience is somewhat different between the two. Lo mein tends to be saucier and more toothsome, with a texture some describe as “slippery” because of the noodles' softness.

What can I use instead of oyster sauce in chow mein? ›

  • Fish sauce. Although it's not a perfect substitute, you can use fish sauce in place of oyster sauce in some recipes. ...
  • Soy sauce. Soy sauce is an easy substitute for oyster sauce since it's a common pantry staple. ...
  • Hoisin sauce. ...
  • Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce. ...
  • Teriyaki sauce. ...
  • Vegan mushroom sauce.
Jul 12, 2021

What are the two types of chow mein? ›

In the American market, two types of chow mein include crispy chow mein and steamed chow mein. The steamed chow mein has a softer texture, while the former is crisper and drier. Crispy chow mein uses fried, flat noodles, while soft chow mein uses long, rounded noodles.

Why do we add vinegar to chow mein? ›

All you need is soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, oyster sauce, black pepper, and sesame oil. The flavor that is often missing in homemade chow mein is the tanginess. Black Vinegar is less harsh than regular vinegar, which gives the chow mein a subtle hint of tanginess that brings the dish together.

What are the best noodles to use for chow mein? ›

Let's talk about noodles, as this is the most crucial ingredient in Chow Mein. I recommend using EGG Chow Mein noodles that you can find at most Asian Supermarkets. What is this? Make sure to blanch the noodles for 30-60 seconds and rinse with cold water before pan-frying.

What are the three rules of stir-frying? ›

The first is to cook your protein and your vegetable separately, and combine them only after both are fully cooked. A second rule of thumb for stir-frying: Choose one vegetable per stir-fry. Finally, always remember to add liquid only after everything is more or less finished cooking.

What is the difference between Hong Kong-style chow mein and regular chow mein? ›

The main difference is that noodles labeled "Hong Kong" or "pan-fried noodles" are par-cooked in boiling water, which makes them ready to stir-fry. Use this variety for dry stir-fried noodle dishes, like this stir-fried chow mein with four vegetables and whenever you want the noodles to be slightly (or very) crispy.

What does special chow mein contain? ›

House Special Chow Mein is a classic Chinese dish made better at home! Crispy chow mein noodles, tender velveted chicken, juicy shrimp, crisp veggies, and fresh bean sprouts are tossed in a homemade sweet and savory chow mein sauce that's so easy to make!

What are the really skinny Chinese noodles called? ›

Sometimes called fensi (粉丝) or cellophane noodles, glass noodles are thin, semi-transparent noodles. Frequently made of mung bean, tapioca, or sweet potato starch, these noodles start as being brittle and hard.

Why is there two different types of chow mein? ›

Crispy chow mein uses fried, flat noodles, while soft chow mein uses long, rounded noodles. Crispy chow mein either has onions and celery in the finished dish or is served "strained", without any vegetables.

What is the best substitute for chow mein noodles? ›

Yes, it is possible to substitute spaghetti for chow mein noodles by boiling it with a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda alters the pH level of the spaghetti, giving it a similar texture and flavor to chow mein noodles. They can then be used in any dish that calls for chow mein noodles.

Why is my chow mein bland? ›

Here are a few common reasons: Lack of seasoning: Proper seasoning is crucial to bring out the flavors in lo mein noodles. If you don't add enough soy sauce, spices, or other seasonings, the dish may end up tasting bland. Inadequate sauce: The sauce is what ties all the ingredients together in lo mein noodles.

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