If you're craving a quick, savory meal with tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and perfectly cooked chow mein noodles, this Chicken Chow Mein with The Best Chow Mein Sauce is exactly what you need. It's a flavorful, satisfying stir-fry that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun family meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Chicken Chow Mein is a complete, balanced meal in one skillet. The homemade chow mein sauce, which combines oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil, creates a rich and savory flavor that coats the chicken and vegetables beautifully. The crisp vegetables like cabbage and carrots add texture, while the tender chicken provides lean protein. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a dish that’s flavorful, comforting, and easy to prepare. The best part? It all comes together in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Chow Mein:
1 lb chicken breast, boneless, skinless
3 tablespoon oil
12 oz chow mein noodles (uncooked)
2 cups cabbage, shredded
1 large carrot, julienned
½ batch green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
For the Chow Mein Sauce:
6 tablespoon oyster sauce
3 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoon light sesame oil (not toasted)
½ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, granulated sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Set the sauce aside.
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Cook the Noodles: Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
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Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the chicken into bite-sized strips and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
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Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the remaining oil and sauté the julienned carrots, shredded cabbage, and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the cabbage becomes translucent.
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Combine and Cook: Return the cooked chicken and noodles to the pan. Pour the prepared chow mein sauce over the top and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated and heated through.
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Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Variations
- Protein Variations: Swap the chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu for a different twist on this dish.
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the chicken and use additional vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas.
- Spicy Version: Add some red pepper flakes or sriracha to the chow mein sauce to give it a spicy kick.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free chow mein noodles and ensure the soy sauce is gluten-free.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover Chicken Chow Mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the chow mein in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use other types of noodles in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute chow mein noodles with other types of stir-fry noodles like lo mein or even spaghetti if you're in a pinch.
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen vegetables can be used in place of fresh ones. Just be sure to thaw and drain them before adding to the stir-fry.
Is it possible to make the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chow mein sauce a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can I make this recipe without oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can substitute with hoisin sauce or a combination of soy sauce and a little sugar for sweetness.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Yes, you can add chili paste, red pepper flakes, or sriracha to the sauce or directly to the stir-fry to bring up the heat.
Can I use a different oil for cooking?
While sesame oil adds a wonderful flavor, you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or even olive oil if that’s what you have available.
How can I make this dish less oily?
To reduce the oil, you can use a non-stick pan and a bit of cooking spray instead of using oil to sauté the ingredients.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and have an internal temperature of 165°F when fully cooked.
Can I add other sauces to this recipe?
Feel free to experiment by adding soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, or even a bit of hoisin sauce for a unique twist.
Can this recipe be made in advance for meal prep?
Yes, Chicken Chow Mein is a great meal prep option. Store it in individual containers, and it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
This Chicken Chow Mein with The Best Chow Mein Sauce is the ultimate comfort food. It’s quick, easy, and bursting with flavor from the tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and the savory, homemade sauce. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings for a delicious stir-fry. Plus, it’s versatile enough for you to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. Give it a try – you’ll love it!
Chicken Chow Mein with The Best Chow Mein Sauce
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Chicken Chow Mein with The Best Chow Mein Sauce is a quick, savory stir-fry recipe with tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and flavorful homemade chow mein sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping, it’s a delicious and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and flavorful chow mein noodles.
Ingredients
Ingredients
For the Chow Mein:
- 1 lb chicken breast, boneless, skinless
- 3 tbsp oil
- 12 oz chow mein noodles (uncooked)
- 2 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- ½ batch green onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
For the Chow Mein Sauce:
- 6 tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp light sesame oil (not toasted)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, granulated sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Cook chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Cut chicken into bite-sized strips and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add remaining oil to the pan and sauté carrots, cabbage, and garlic for 3-4 minutes, until vegetables are softened and cabbage is translucent.
- Combine and Cook: Add the cooked chicken and noodles back to the pan. Pour sauce over the top and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring everything is evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
Notes
- Protein Variations: You can swap the chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu.
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the chicken and add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas.
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for heat.
- Gluten-Free: Ensure the soy sauce is gluten-free and use gluten-free noodles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
