Nothing beats the satisfaction of creating your own chicken chow mein right in your kitchen, especially when it tastes better than your favorite takeout spot. This chicken chow mein recipe delivers that perfect combination of crispy noodles, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables all tossed in a savory sauce that'll make your taste buds dance with joy.
What makes this chicken chow mein truly special is how quick and simple it is to prepare. In just 15 minutes, you'll have a restaurant-quality dish that feeds the whole family without breaking the bank. The secret lies in getting your wok blazing hot and having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
Background & Why This Recipe Stands Out
The beauty of chicken chow mein lies in its versatility and the way it brings together textures and flavors in perfect harmony. This particular chicken chow mein recipe has been perfected through countless kitchen experiments to achieve that authentic Chinese restaurant taste we all crave. The key difference between homemade and takeout versions often comes down to technique and timing.
What sets this chicken chow mein apart from other recipes is the two-step noodle process that creates those irresistibly crispy edges while keeping the center tender. Plus, the homemade sauce blend captures that umami-rich flavor profile that makes Chinese takeout so addictive. You'll never need to order delivery again once you master this foolproof method.
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Ingredients
For the Chicken and Marinade:
- Chicken breast or thighs, sliced thin
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
For the Chow Mein Sauce:
- Oyster sauce
- Soy sauce
- Dark soy sauce
- Sugar
- White pepper
- Cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
For the Stir Fry:
- Chow mein noodles (or 8 oz dried)
- Vegetable oil, divided
- Cabbage, shredded
- Bean sprouts
- Carrots, julienned
- Green onions, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Fresh ginger, minced
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken
- Slice chicken into thin strips against the grain
- Mix chicken with soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil
- Let marinate for 10 minutes while preparing other ingredients
- Set aside until ready to cook
Step 2: Cook the Noodles to Perfection
- Bring a large pot of water to boiling
- Cook chow mein noodles according to package directions
- Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking
- Toss with 1 tablespoon oil to prevent sticking
Step 3: Create the Signature Sauce
- Whisk together oyster sauce, both soy sauces, sugar, and white pepper
- Add cornstarch slurry and mix until smooth
- Set sauce aside until ready to combine with stir fry
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed
Step 4: Master the Stir Fry Technique
- Heat wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking
- Add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl to coat
- Add marinated chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until golden
- Remove chicken and set aside
- Add remaining oil to wok
- Stir-fry vegetables for 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender
- Return chicken to wok with noodles and sauce
- Toss everything together for 2 minutes until heated through
Expert Cooking Tips
Temperature Control is Everything The secret to authentic chicken chow mein lies in maintaining extremely high heat throughout the cooking process. Your wok should be smoking hot before adding any ingredients.
Prep Like a Pro
- Have all ingredients chopped and ready before you start cooking
- Use room temperature ingredients for even cooking
- Don't overcrowd the wok; cook in batches if necessary
Noodle Perfection Secrets
- Slightly undercook fresh noodles as they'll finish cooking in the wok
- For extra crispy texture, pan-fry noodles separately before adding to stir fry
- Always rinse cooked noodles to remove excess starch
Sauce Application Technique
- Add sauce only in the final minute of cooking
- Create a well in center of wok before adding sauce
- Toss continuously to prevent sauce from burning
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Protein Alternatives Transform this chicken chow mein into your preferred version by swapping proteins. Try beef strips, shrimp, or tofu for variety. Ground chicken works wonderfully too and cooks even faster.
Vegetable Variations
- Add bell peppers, snap peas, or mushrooms for extra nutrition
- Snow peas and bok choy make excellent traditional additions
- For a heartier version, include baby corn and water chestnuts
Noodle Substitutions
- Use lo mein noodles for a softer texture
- Substitute with ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
- Rice noodles work for gluten-free versions
- Even spaghetti can work in a pinch
Dietary Modifications Create a healthier chicken chow mein by using less oil and adding more vegetables. For gluten-free options, use tamari instead of soy sauce and rice noodles instead of wheat noodles.
Equipment Recommendations
Essential Tools A large wok or heavy-bottomed skillet is crucial for achieving authentic chicken chow mein results. The high sides and curved bottom of a wok allow for proper heat distribution and easy tossing of ingredients.
Helpful Additions
- Sharp chef's knife for quick vegetable prep
- Large colander for draining noodles efficiently
- Multiple prep bowls for organized cooking
- Wooden spoons or wok spatulas for gentle stirring
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerator Storage Store leftover chicken chow mein in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve overnight as the sauce penetrates the noodles more deeply.
Freezing Guidelines While possible to freeze, the texture of the noodles changes significantly. If freezing, consume within 1 month and expect softer noodles upon reheating.
Reheating Methods
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between
- Reheat in a wok with a splash of water or broth
- Add fresh bean sprouts when reheating for added crunch
Meal Prep Success Prepare all vegetables and sauce ahead of time. Store marinated chicken separately and cook fresh for best results. This chicken chow mein recipe is perfect for meal prep when components are prepared in advance.
Grandma's Secret That Changed Everything
The game-changing secret to perfect chicken chow mein isn't just about the ingredients; it's about the order of operations and a little-known technique passed down through generations. The real magic happens when you create what Chinese chefs call "wok hei" or the breath of the wok.
Here's the secret: after your chicken chow mein is nearly done, push everything to one side of the wok and let that empty space get screaming hot for 30 seconds. Then quickly toss everything back through that super-heated section. This final step creates those incredible smoky flavors that separate homemade from restaurant-quality dishes.
FAQ
What is chicken chow mein made of?
consists of stir-fried noodles, tender chicken pieces, fresh vegetables like cabbage and bean sprouts, all tossed in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and seasonings.
What's the difference between chicken chow mein and lo mein?
The main difference lies in the noodles and cooking method. Chicken chow mein uses thinner noodles that are often pan-fried for crispiness, while lo mein uses thicker, softer noodles that are simply tossed with sauce.
Is chicken chow mein healthy?
Yes, chicken chow mein can be quite healthy! It provides lean protein from chicken, vitamins from vegetables, and energy from noodles. Control the oil and sodium content by making it at home.
What goes well with chicken chow mein?
Chicken chow mein pairs beautifully with egg rolls, hot and sour soup, steamed dumplings, or simple steamed vegetables. A light cucumber salad also complements the rich flavors perfectly.
The Perfect Finish: More Delicious Recipes Await
Now that you've mastered this incredible chicken chow mein recipe, your kitchen confidence is probably through the roof! The techniques you've learned here; high-heat cooking, proper seasoning balance, and ingredient timing, translate beautifully to other Asian-inspired dishes.
Speaking of expanding your culinary horizons, you'll want to try our Black Pepper Steak Recipe next. It uses similar wok techniques and delivers that same restaurant-quality experience. And for those nights when you want something lighter to balance out this hearty chicken chow mein, our Chickpea Feta Avocado Salad Recipe provides the perfect fresh counterpoint to rich, savory noodle dishes.
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Kaitlyn Reed
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Pairing
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Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
Equipment
- Wok or large skillet
- Sharp Chef’s Knife
- Large colander
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or wok spatula
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the Chow Mein Sauce
- 3 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoon water slurry
For the Stir Fry
- 12 oz fresh chow mein noodles (or 8 oz dried)
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil divided
- 2 cups cabbage shredded
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 carrots julienned
- 3 green onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger minced
Instructions
- Slice chicken, mix with soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, rest 10 min.
- Cook noodles, drain, rinse cold, toss with oil.
- Whisk oyster sauce, soy sauces, sugar, white pepper, add slurry.
- Heat wok, oil, cook chicken 3-4 min, remove.
- Stir fry garlic, ginger, veggies 2-3 min.
- Return chicken, add noodles + sauce, toss 2 min until coated.
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