Delicious and easy Chicken Chow Mein with crispy chow mein noodles, golden browned chicken breasts, cabbage, carrots, and green onions in the tastiest savory sauce ever. So much better than takeout with more flavor, this tasty stir-fry is ready in less than 25 minutes. It is sure to become one of your family’s favorite meals.
What is Chicken Chow Mein
Do you like Asian cuisine? We love it, and this Chicken Chow Mein is one of our all-time favorites. Golden brown tender chicken bites are combined with pan-fried crispy chow mein noodles and tender-crisp vegetables in a savory sauce. With a little advanced prep, it comes together quite quickly. Don’t worry if you don’t have a wok! A large nonstick skillet works well too! I like to boil the noodles and cut all the vegetables ahead of time. This allows me time to cut the meat and prepare the sauce mixtures before starting the stir fry.
Chow Mein Ingredients
For the chow mein, you will need chow mein noodles, sesame oil, vegetable oil, chicken, green cabbage, carrots, garlic, and green onions.
Chow Mein Sauce Ingredients
For the chow mein sauce, you will need soy sauce, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce, grated ginger, mirin, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
How to Make Chicken Chow Mein
Preparation
First, chop all your vegetables, leaving the cabbage for last. Cover everything with lightly dampened paper towels while you work. Meanwhile, cook your Chinese noodles according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling water and drain well. The ones I purchase take about 3 minutes, and I am usually right on top of that, so they do not overcook as you want them, just a little bit firm. Drain the noodles in a colander. Add about 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and toss well to coat. Set the noodles aside for just a few minutes.
Now, cut your chicken into small bite-sized slices. Then mix your soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, mirin, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Double the sauce ingredients if you like a lot of sauce like my family.
Cooking
Things really start moving, so the noodles need your undivided attention. Heat a nonstick skillet or wok over medium heat until a drop of water added to the skillet sizzles. Add the noodles that you set aside. Work in two batches, spreading the noodles out in the pan. Leave undisturbed for 1-2 minutes or until they start to get crispy. Now flip the noodles over and let the other side get crispy. Set the cooked noodles aside and add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Turn the heat up to medium-high, and once the oil is almost smoking, add the chicken. Cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Work in batches, so you don’t crowd the skillet. Remove the chicken to a plate. Now add a bit of vegetable oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Once it is good and hot, add the cabbage and carrots. Cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, usually about 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-low and add the garlic and the green onions. Cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, as there will be a lot of residual heat in the pan.
Finally, turn the heat to medium, adding the chicken and noodles back to the pan to warm. Add the sauce and stir to combine, cooking for 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and everything is coated with sauce. Serve as soon as possible while everything is at its best.
Recipe Tips
- Chinese noodles can be found in the Asian food section of your grocery store. Other noodles that work well are ramen, Yakisoba, and even thin spaghetti noodles.
- For optimal taste and texture, do not overboil the noodles, as you want them to have a little firmness.
- Chop your veggies relatively small and shred your cabbage thin to ensure a quicker cooking time.
- Do not cube your chicken. Instead, cut it into bite-size slices that are longer and thinner. This will help cook it all the way through without drying it out.
- Oyster sauce is traditionally used in chow mein sauce, but not everyone can access it. Hoisin sauce is a tasty, albeit different, substitute.
- When cooking the chicken and vegetables, use medium-high to high heat and an oil with a high smoking point, like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
- Other vegetables to add are bok choy, bean sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli, snow peas, and bell peppers.
- Other proteins that work well with this recipe are beef, pork, and shrimp.
- Double the sauce ingredients if you like a lot of sauce like my family does.
- Plan on serving this as soon as possible so the vegetables are still crisp-tender.
Difference Between Chow Mein and Lo Mein?
Honestly, the difference is just in how the noodles are prepared. With chow mein, the noodles are boiled al dente (a little firm when bitten), drained well, coated with oil, and pan-fried to give them a little crispiness. Lo mein noodles are boiled soft and added at the completion of the dish. Usually, for chow mein, a thinner noodle that resembles a ramen noodle, which is thin and curly, is used. I used dried Chinese noodles. For lo mein, usually, thicker straight noodles are prepared.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat.
To freeze, first cool to room temperature. Then, place the chow mein in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
More Stir Fry Dishes
Easy Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
Ingredients
- Chow Mein Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon hoisin sauce or oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger or ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon mirin or granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine optional
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Chow Mein
- 8 ounces chow mein noodles see notes
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil or peanut oil
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs cut into thin bite-size pieces
- 4 cups green cabbage finely shredded
- 2 carrots julienned
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 green onions
Instructions
- Boil Chinese noodles according to package instructions. Drain well and toss with sesame oil.
- Whisk the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, mirin, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat until a drop of water added sizzles. Working in 2 batches, add the noodles and cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes or until they get crispy. Flip and crisp the other side. Repeat with the second batch of noodles. Remove to a bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the cabbage and carrots. Cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, which is about 2-3 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-low and add the garlic and the green onions. Cook for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, as there will be a lot of residual heat in the pan.
- Turn the heat up to medium, adding the chicken and noodles back to the pan to warm. Whisk the sauce that you set aside. Add it to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and everything is coated with sauce.
- Serve as soon as possible while everything is at its best.
Video
Notes
- Mirin is sweetened sake and is available at some high-end grocery stores. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of sherry with 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar for mirin. If you can not find the mirin and you do not want to purchase the sherry add 1/2 -1 tablespoon of brown sugar to sweeten the sauce.
- Chinese noodles can be found in the Asian food section of your grocery store. Other noodles that work well are ramen, Yakisoba, and even thin spaghetti noodles.
- Do not overboil the noodles, as you want them to have a little bit of firmness to them.
- Chop your veggies fairly small and shred your cabbage thin to ensure a quicker cooking time.
- Do not cube your chicken. Instead, cut it into bite-size slices that are longer and thinner. This will help cook it all the way through without drying it out.
- Oyster sauce is traditionally used in chow mein sauce, but not everyone has access to it. Hoisin sauce is a tasty, albeit different, substitute.
- When cooking the chicken and vegetables, use medium-high to high heat and an oil with a high smoking point, like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
- Other vegetables to consider adding are bok choy, mushrooms, broccoli, snow peas, or bell peppers.
- Other proteins that work well with this recipe are beef, pork, and shrimp.
- If you like a lot of sauce like my family does, double the sauce ingredients.
- Plan on serving this as soon as possible so the vegetables are still crisp-tender.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Richard L
So much better than my favorite Asian restaurant. This will be on repeat at my house. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Frank
This is my new favorite dish. You hit the nail on the head with this chow mein recipe. How come so many people think lo mein and chow mein are the same thing?
Sonia
This chicken chow mein recipe is absolutely amazing! I love that it’s so quick and easy to make, yet full of flavour and packed with veggies. We have made this several times and now it is a regular meal in our household. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sonia!
Dominique
I have been searching for a good recipe and this is IT! Delicious!
Ed
So much deliciousness in one easy recipe. This is a great chow mein recipe and even better than my favorite take out restaurant. I will make this again.
Luna
This is a delicious recipie! Love how it turned out, thanks so much for sharing it.
Gervin
Your chicken chow mein recipe was really easy and tasty and I can’t wait to make this again. We served it over fresh biscuits.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Gervin!
Rachael
I appreciated the simplicity and clarity of the recipe. We made it last night and it is a new family favorite. It will be on regular rotation at our house.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rachel! So glad that you like the chicken chow mein.
Bethany
Wow, so yummy. I never knew chow mein was so easy to make at home. It tastes so much better fresh from the stove with all the best ingredients.
Stephanie
This chicken chow mein is every bit as good, if not better, than what I get from my favorite restaurant. Adding this to my recipe book to make again soon!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stephanie! I am so glad that you liked it.
Beeb
This is a delicious recipe. Usually, the Asian dishes I make at home never quite have the right flavor and vibe, but this one hit the mark perfectly!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Beeb! So glad that you liked it.
Brooke
My partner and I made this for dinner and it was absolutely fabulous! Definitely better than any of the restaurants we’ve had!! We doubled it to have leftovers.😋
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Brooke! so glad that you liked it!
Janey
This looks delicious and filling! Thank you so much for your recipe – it sounds really easy to follow.
Jenny
This chow mein is better than any restaurants I have had. It was fairly easy to make too. This is a regular at our house now.
Moni
This is something that I loved since my childhood. Your reipe is so good and it was as good as I remember it. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Ree
This is a really good chow mein! A new family favorite that we will make again and again. Thanks for sharing!
Candie
My new favorite chow mein recipe! So much flavor. The family loved it and I will make it again.
Luna S
I was slightly hungry before reading this post, now I am really hungry! This sounds and looks delicious, the chicken looks like it turned out perfect.
Kay
YESSSS…I did your pork chow mein a few days ago, it turned delicious!!! I can’t wait to make this one, chicken chow mein!
Allyson
This was literally the perfect meal! Thank you so much for this easy recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Allyson!
Tammy
Yummy! I love bowl recipes like this and I love Chow Mein. Pinning to use later.
Cat
I love how rich and nutritious this dish is! I am so glad to make it at home now!
Erin
Great chow mein recipe. My hubby loved it. Thanks for sharing. Beth.
Amanda
I haven’t had chow mein in what seems like forever. I am so excited to make this at home for everyone!
Star Traci
I never show these recipes to my husband but this one is going in the printer for him, because he will love it! YUM!!!
Tammy
Mmm this looks so delicious! I love takeout at home…we always do something like this for New Years. We like keeping it simple yet fun.
Whitney Stewart
Just when I was needing an idea for dinner, you come in and save the day! Plus noodles of any kind is my ultimate comfort food. So this is gonna be great! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Interior Design Trends
Chicken Chow Mein yesss!!! Finally…I love love love chicken Chow Mein but never made it myself. I can’t wait to make it, can’t wait.
Toni Dash
Such a delicious and filling meal!! Perfect for weeknights!
Shelley
A total classic – how wonderful to be able to make it at home! And great tips on having it mostly prepped a little ahead … because yep … my life is full of multiple interruptions, too lol! (Especially around dinnertime! 😉 )
katerina @ diethood.com
YUM! This chicken chow mein looks incredibly delicious!!
Katie
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try this with my friends and family.
Ashley F
The sauce tops this off perfectly! Love how filling it is!
Valerie
Chicken Cow Mein is one of my husband’s favorites. This sounds pretty simple to make and looks as good as any I’ve seen in a restaurant.
Jen
Wow, I never realized how easy it was to make this dish! We’ll be skipping the take out this weekend and making this instead. Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie
Super delicious…an absolutely flawless recipe!
Katie
This looks so good! Can’t wait to try it.
Krissy Allori
Yum! This looks fantastic! Can’t wait to try it.
Anna
Chow mein is our favorite! I could eat it every day!
Katie
Oh, this looks SO good! Can’t wait to try!
Jennifer
This looks amazing.. I NEED to try this now!
Trang
One of my favorite dishes!
Becky Hardin
This dish is so delicious, so easy and my kids love it.
Laura Reese
This is looking amazing. Can’t wait to make it.
Natasha
I love delicious Asian food recipes that can be made at home! Cant wait to try
Krissy
This is so good! My family loved it!
Valentina
This chicken chow mein recipe is the perfect week night dinner!
Emese
Chow mein is my favorite take-out order and I seriously didn’t know the difference between lo mein and chow mein. I love it because of the crispy cabbage is next to the pasta.
Beth Pierce
Yes I do too! I love that dish! Enjoy!
LINDSEY PINE
This looks so easy and delicious and I bet it’s tastier than anything you’d find at a restaurant!
Kristine
This recipe was bomb! For real, my kids love chow mien and inspired me to try it. They loved it, thank you!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Much Kristine! I am glad that you liked it!
Raia
I’ve never tried making my own chow mein. Sounds easy and looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
cheflolaskitchen
I love oriental cuisine as well! This would surely rock for me!
Mary Bostow
I love the Chow Mein recipe! This is a good idea and amazing recipe too. Looking forward to trying soon.
Noelle
This is a great idea for chow mein, I love making homemade versions of my favorite take out dishes!
Mikayla
I love a great stir fry and all your tips made this recipe super easy to do, a new dinner favorite for sure!
Dannii
This is my kind of comfort Food. Yum!
Roxana
This looks good. I want to make chow mein now. Its been so long. Great recipe. So easy.