Speedy Weeknight Chicken Chow Mein (Takeout Fakeout!)

Ditch takeout! This speedy Chicken Chow Mein recipe delivers all the flavor fast. Learn what is chow mein, easy stir-fry tips & a sauce that's bangin'!

Weeknight Winner! What is Chow Mein: Speedy Chicken Recipe

Alright, let's talk chow mein! ever find yourself staring into the takeout abyss? wondering what is chow mein and if you could actually make it at home? honestly, it's easier than you think.

And way tastier than that soggy stuff some places try to pass off.

Speedy Weeknight Chicken Chow Mein: Takeout Fakeout!

This recipe will deliver all the deliciousness! Think perfectly stir-fried noodles, tender chicken, and a savory sauce. It's a quick, easy, and totally customizable dish. You'll banish those takeout cravings for good.

Chow Mein: More Than Just Noodles

Chow mein, which means "stir-fried noodles," is a cantonese dish loved worldwide. this recipe? it's medium difficulty. prep takes about 20 minutes, and cooking another 20.

Boom. dinner is served! this recipe makes about 4 servings.

Why This Chicken Chow Mein Recipe Rocks

It has a decent amount of protein! it's also easily customizable to whatever veggies you have. perfect for a busy weeknight when you need something fast and satisfying.

This is a recipe for chicken chow mein with the best sauce .

Now, let's dive into the ingredient list. We are going to also discuss How To Make Chicken Lo Mein with variations and substitutions later.

Speedy Weeknight Chicken Chow Mein (Takeout Fakeout!) Recipe Card

Weeknight Winner! What is Chow Mein: Speedy Chicken Recipe Recipe Card
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Preparation time:

20 Mins
Cooking time:

20 Mins
Servings:
🍽️
4 servings

⚖️ Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Chow Mein noodles (fresh or dried)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or peanut oil)
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 cup sliced celery
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms (such as shiitake or cremini)
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

🥄 Instructions:

  1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. In a bowl, combine chicken strips with soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, ginger, and white pepper. Marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove from the wok and set aside. (Approx 3-5min until internal temp reaches 165°F)
  4. Add onion and garlic to the wok and stir-fry until fragrant and softened. Add carrots, celery, and mushrooms, and stir-fry until slightly tender.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, chicken broth, and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the wok. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Add the cooked chicken and noodles to the wok with the sauce and vegetables. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
  7. Garnish with green onions and serve immediately.

Let's Grab the Good Stuff: Ingredients

You'll need some Chow Mein Stir Fry Noodles . I usually grab the fresh ones, but dried work too. Chow Mein Ramen Noodles are also a fun twist, if you're feeling adventurous.

  • 1 pound Chow Mein noodles (fresh or dried)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Now for the chicken marinade:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Next are the veggies:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 cup sliced celery
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 4 green onions, thinly sliced

We will use a sauce for the stir-fry.

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Alright, let's dive into what you need to make some killer Chow Mein! Seriously, this Speedy Weeknight Chicken Chow Mein recipe is about to become your new go-to.

Ingredients & Equipment

Think of this section as mission control. Getting everything prepped makes cooking Chicken Chow Mein With The Best Sauce a breeze!

Main Ingredients

Okay, here’s the shopping list. Trust me, it's easier than finding parking at the mall on Black Friday.

  • Chow Mein Noodles: 1 pound (US: 454g Metric). Fresh or dried works. Make sure they are actual Chow Mein Noodles With Chicken noodles!

  • Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon (US: 15ml Metric) for the noodles. This stops them from sticking, you know?

  • Chicken Breasts: 1 pound boneless, skinless, sliced thinly (US: 454g Metric). Look for chicken that's pink and firm.

  • Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon (US: 15ml Metric) for the marinade. I usually use low-sodium.

  • Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon (US: 7g Metric) for the marinade. This makes the chicken super tender.

  • Rice Vinegar: 1 teaspoon (US: 5ml Metric) for the marinade. Adds a nice zing.

  • Ground Ginger: 1/2 teaspoon (US: 1g Metric) for the marinade. Don't skip this!

  • White Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (US: 0.5g Metric) for the marinade. A little goes a long way.

  • Vegetable Oil: 1 tablespoon (US: 15ml Metric). Peanut oil works great too.

  • Onion: 1 medium , thinly sliced (US: About 150g Metric).

  • Garlic: 2 cloves , minced (US: About 6g Metric).

  • Carrots: 1 cup , sliced (US: About 115g Metric).

  • Celery: 1 cup , sliced (US: About 100g Metric).

  • Mushrooms: 1 cup , sliced (US: About 85g Metric). Shiitake or cremini are my go-to.

  • Bean Sprouts: 1 cup (US: About 100g Metric).

  • Green Onions: 4 , thinly sliced (US: About 20g Metric). These are for garnish!

  • Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup (US: 60ml Metric).

  • Oyster Sauce: 2 tablespoons (US: 30ml Metric). This is key for that authentic flavor.

  • Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon (US: 15g Metric).

  • Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon (US: 7g Metric). To thicken the sauce.

  • Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup (US: 120ml Metric).

  • Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon (US: 5ml Metric). For extra flavor in the sauce.

Seasoning Notes

The right spices can totally make or break Chicken Fried Noodles Recipes . Let's talk flavor!

  • Soy sauce and oyster sauce are a power couple. They bring the umami!
  • Ginger and garlic are your aromatic MVPs. Sauté them until fragrant.
  • For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Ran out of oyster sauce? Hoisin sauce works in a pinch, but it's sweeter. For a gluten-free Gluten Free Chicken Chow Mein , use tamari instead of soy sauce.

Equipment Needed

Don't stress about having fancy gear. How To Make Chicken Lo Mein is all about making it work with what you've got!

  • A big wok or skillet is crucial. This is for stir-frying.
  • A pot for boiling the noodles, obviously.
  • A colander for draining the noodles.
  • Cutting board and a sharp knife. These are basic necessities.

No wok? A large, deep skillet will do. I used a regular pan once, and it worked okay. Just be careful not to overcrowd it! Remember that Chow Mein Stir Fry Noodles don't need fancy equipment, only good quality ingredients and a solid recipe! Also don't forget that you can create your own Orange Chicken And Chow Mein Recipe

So, there you have it! Now that you've got everything you need, are you ready to get cooking Chicken And Noodle Stir Fry ? Let's get this Chow Mein Ramen Noodles show on the road!

Speedy Weeknight Chicken Chow Mein (Takeout Fakeout!) presentation

Alright, let's dive into speedy weeknight chicken chow mein ! i am going to tell you what is chow mein .

It's basically the ultimate takeout fakeout. think perfectly stir-fried chow mein stir fry noodles , tender chicken, and a bomb sauce.

Skip the delivery fees! this is way better. trust me.

Chow Mein Mission Control: Prep Steps

Okay, first things first: mise en place! That's fancy talk for getting everything ready. We're talking chopped veggies, marinated chicken, and noodles cooked. This is a medium-difficulty dish. Prep is the key.

  • Essential mise en place : Chop your onion, garlic, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and green onions. Slice the chicken into thin strips. Measure out all your sauce ingredients. Seriously, do it all now!
  • Time-saving organization tips : Marinate the chicken while you chop veggies. Cook the noodles while you're prepping other ingredients. It's all about multitasking!
  • Safety reminders : Don't be a ninja with the knife if you are not one. Watch those fingers. Always use a clean cutting board for raw chicken. Food safety first, always!

From Zero to Chow Mein Hero: Step-by-Step

Alright, time to get cooking! Follow these steps. This is the best way how to make Chicken Lo Mein .

  1. Noodle Time: Cook your Chow Mein Ramen Noodles according to the package. Drain. Toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil .
  2. Chicken Power-Up : Marinate 1 pound of chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce , 1 tablespoon cornstarch , 1 teaspoon rice vinegar , 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger , and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper for at least 10 minutes.
  3. Chicken Sizzle : Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a wok. Add chicken. Stir-fry until cooked thru (internal temp reaches 165° F ). Set aside.
  4. Veggie Dance : Add 1 sliced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the wok. Stir-fry. Add 1 cup sliced carrots , 1 cup sliced celery , and 1 cup sliced mushrooms . Cook until slightly tender.
  5. Sauce Magic : Whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce , 2 tablespoons oyster sauce , 1 tablespoon brown sugar , 1 tablespoon cornstarch , 1/2 cup chicken broth , and 1 teaspoon sesame oil .
  6. Simmer Down : Pour sauce over veggies. Simmer until thick.
  7. Chow Mein United : Add chicken and noodles to the wok. Toss. Make sure everything is hot.
  8. Garnish Goals : Top with sliced green onions. Serve immediately. Bam! You are a chef!

Secret Kung Fu Cooking Moves: Pro Tips

Time for my expert tips. Listen up!

  • Wok Hei is your friend : A super hot wok gives that smoky flavor. It's the real deal.
  • Don't overcook noodles : They should be a tad undercooked. They will finish cooking in the sauce. Nobody wants mushy noodles.

Listen, making Chicken Chow Mein With The Best Sauce is easy once you get the hang of it. Plus, this recipe totally rocks because you can swap ingredients like crazy! Chicken for shrimp? Gluten Free Chicken Chow Mein ? Go for it! And for some extra pizzazz, look up orange chicken and chow mein recipe variations! You can't go wrong!

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of this speedy weeknight chicken chow mein with the best sauce recipe! we're talking about those little details that can take it from "meh" to "omg, this is better than takeout!".

And honestly, that's the goal, right? to make something amazing at home.

Recipe Notes That Make All The Difference

These are the kind of things i wish i knew before my first chow mein attempt. trust me, learning from mistakes is part of the fun but avoiding them is even better! what is chow mein anyway? it is just tasty noodles.

Serving It Up Right: Plating & Pairings

Presentation matters, even if it's just for you! a simple sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and some extra chopped green onions elevates the dish.

For sides, i'm a big fan of keeping it classic. think crispy spring rolls or some steamed broccoli for a healthy balance.

Oh, and a cold tsingtao beer? yes, please! or maybe a orange chicken and chow mein recipe combo night?

Storage Smarts: Keeping It Fresh

Leftovers? if you're lucky enough to have any, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. they'll be good for about 3-4 days.

Reheating is easy peasy – just microwave it or stir-fry it in a pan with a splash of water until heated through.

Don't overcook it, or the noodles will get mushy! freezing chicken chow mein stir fry noodles isn't my favorite because the noodles can get a little weird.

But hey, if you're in a pinch, go for it! just make sure it's cooled completely before freezing, and thaw it overnight in the fridge.

Remix Time: Variations for Every Taste

Got dietary restrictions? no problem! for a gluten free chicken chow mein , use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and make sure you get certified gluten-free noodles.

You could also just use rice noodles! want to go vegetarian? tofu is your friend! marinate it the same way you would the chicken, and it'll be just as delicious.

For seasonal swaps, think about adding snap peas in the spring or butternut squash in the fall. chow mein ramen noodles is also a delicious variation, but don't tell anyone i told you that.

Nutrition Nuggets: Fueling Your Body

Okay, so this chicken fried noodles recipes dish isn't exactly health food, but it's not terrible either! we're talking roughly 450 calories per serving, with a good dose of protein (around 35g) and some carbs (50g) for energy.

One thing to watch out for is the sodium (1200mg). using low-sodium soy sauce can help with that. think about adding some more vegetables to up the fiber content (5g)! you know, extra carrots and celery!

Now Go Make Some Magic (Chicken and Noodle Stir Fry)!

Honestly, this how to make chicken lo mein (or chow mein!) recipe is all about having fun and making it your own.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different veggies, sauces, and proteins. the best part about cooking is that there are no real rules! so go on, get in the kitchen and whip up some tasty chow mein noodles with chicken .

You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

Okay, spill the tea - what is chow mein actually?

Chow Mein, pronounced "chow mine," is a popular Chinese stir-fried noodle dish. It typically consists of egg noodles, meat (like chicken, pork, or shrimp), and various vegetables all tossed in a savory sauce. Think of it like the "greatest hits" of Chinese takeout, all in one pan!

Are Chow Mein noodles the same as Lo Mein noodles? What's the difference?

While both are delicious noodle dishes, there's a key difference! Chow Mein noodles are usually fried, making them crispy, while Lo Mein noodles are boiled and stay soft. It's kinda like the difference between french fries and mashed potatoes, both yummy but with completely different textures.

Can I make substitutions to this chicken chow mein recipe? I'm a vegetarian!

Absolutely! Chow Mein is super versatile. You can easily swap the chicken for tofu, tempeh, or extra veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli. For a vegetarian-friendly sauce, use a mushroom-based "oyster sauce" or simply increase the soy sauce and add a touch of maple syrup to balance the flavor.

How should I store leftover Chow Mein? And how long will it last?

To keep your Chow Mein fresh, store it in an airtight container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. It'll stay good for about 3-4 days. When reheating, you might want to add a splash of water or broth to keep the noodles from drying out - a microwave or pan on the stovetop works great!

I'm trying to watch my sodium intake; is Chow Mein a no-go?

Traditional Chow Mein can be quite high in sodium, mainly due to the soy sauce and oyster sauce. However, you can definitely make it healthier! Use low-sodium soy sauce, reduce the amount of oyster sauce, and load up on fresh vegetables. You can also adjust the taste to incorporate different sauces to use less soy and oyster sauce.

What are some pro-tips for making the best homemade Chow Mein ever?

Wok hei (that smoky, slightly charred flavour) is key to amazing Chow Mein - get your wok screaming hot before adding anything. Also, don't overcrowd the wok, as this will lower the temperature. A little MSG can enhance the flavor just like the restaurants. Don't forget to prep all your ingredients before you start stir-frying! It makes a world of difference.


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