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Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein

Patricia Packard
Chicken Chow Mein is one of those dishes that brings warmth and joy to the table with every bite. It's a satisfying blend of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and chewy noodles all tied together with a savory, homemade sauce that truly makes it special.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Chow Mein:

  • 200 g about 7 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast – thinly sliced Substitute: Chicken thighs for juicier meat
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce for marinating
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
  • 200 g 7 oz chow mein noodles or thin egg noodles
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 1 medium carrot – julienned
  • ½ red bell pepper – thinly sliced
  • 3 green onions – chopped white and green parts separated
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger – grated optional

For the Best Chow Mein Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ¼ cup chicken broth or water with bouillon

Instructions
 

Marinate the Chicken

  • Mix chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Cook the Noodles

  • Boil noodles per package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water. Toss with a bit of oil to prevent sticking.

Make the Sauce

  • Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Stir-Fry the Chicken

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, cook chicken 3–4 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables

  • Add remaining oil, then sauté garlic, ginger, and white parts of green onions for 30 seconds. Add cabbage, carrot, and bell pepper. Stir-fry 2–3 minutes.

Combine Everything

  • Return chicken and noodles to the pan. Pour sauce over and toss well. Stir-fry 2 minutes more.

Garnish and Serve

  • Sprinkle green onions on top before serving. Add sesame seeds or chili flakes if desired.

Notes

  • No chow mein noodles? Use spaghetti or rice noodles.
  • Add more veggies: Snow peas, bean sprouts, mushrooms.
  • Make it spicy: Add sriracha or chili garlic sauce.
  • Vegetarian: Use tofu and mushroom-based sauces.
  • Avoid mushy noodles: Don’t overcook and stir-fry briefly.
Mistakes to avoid:
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches.
  • Prep ingredients first—stir-frying goes quickly.
  • Taste and adjust your sauce before cooking.