Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published January 5, 2019. Updated April 16, 2019

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This Chow Mein Recipe is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese restaurantbut it’s made at home inunder30 minutes! It’s made with tender noodles, fresh sauteed veggies, lean chicken, and a simple savory sauce. A crave-worthy dinner!

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

This will likely become one of your go to dinner recipes because it’s soeasy to make yet it tastes so delicious!I mean who doesn’t love diving into a big bowl of noodles?

My whole family loves this recipe and I love how quickly it comes together, plus it’s one of those recipes we all agree on. Instead of complaints about what’s for dinner the kids request this!

What Ingredients do I Need for Chow Mein?

  • Fresh chow mein noodles– yakisoba or dry thin spaghetti are great subsitutes.
  • Vegetables –celery, cabbage, matchstick carrots,garlic, green onions, ginger.
  • Seasonings – low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar.
  • Chicken breasts – chicken thighs will work great too, just a cook a few minutes longer. You can omit chicken if you are just making it as a side dish.

Want to see how easy this Chow Mein Recipe is? Watch the video!

How do You Make Chinese Chow Mein?

  • Prepare noodles according to directions on package.
  • In a bowl whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and sesame oil, set aside.
  • Heat oil in a wok or large and deep non-stick skillet over moderately high heat.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (2)

  • Add chicken (working to leave a little space between pieces so they’ll brown) and cook 3 – 4 minutes.
  • Turn and continue to cook until cooked through, about 2 – 3 minutes longer.
  • Transfer to a plate or sheet of foil.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

  • Reduce heat slightly add remaining 1 Tbsp oil in skillet, add celery and saute 3 minutes.
  • Add cabbage and saute 2 minutes, then add carrots, green onions, garlic and ginger and saute 1 – 2 minutes longer, until veggies are all crisp tender.
  • Toss in noodles and chicken then pour soy sauce mixture over top and toss to coat. Serve warm.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (4)

What is the Best Type of Noodle to Use for Chow Mein?

Dry thin spaghetti is a good choice with it’s neutral flavor and it’s so easy to find.

  • Yakisoba is my go-to choice. They’re found in refrigerated packaged food in the produce section of some grocery stores (I buy Fortune brand at Kroger).
  • Fresh chow mein noodles (Hong Kong style noodles)are a good option but they are harder to find in the U.S. They are available at some Asian grocery stores. Honestly though I prefer the yakisoba better here since they don’t have a lightly sour flavor and they aren’t as greasy.
  • Dry spaghetti. I’ve used this and it works great here too. It has a neutral flavor and similar texture. Regular or thin will work.
  • Dry chow mein noodles (not the crispy crackers obviously) will work too. I haven’t tried this option yet so I couldn’t give my opinion but I’m guessing it’s similar to the spaghetti option (but made with wheat flour vs. semolina).

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (5)

Can I Use Other Vegetables?

I like the classic vegetable blend here but you can definitely swap in some you might already have like bean sprouts, mushrooms, bell peppers, snow peas, or water chestnuts.

Do I Have to Use Oyster Sauce?

Don’t worry about the finished dish tasting like oysters from the sauce, it just gives it a nice depth of flavor.

When I don’t have any in my fridge I’ve have used hoisin sauce in it’s place, so if you insist on skipping it go with hoisin. They taste very different but either will add rich delicious flavor.

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More Delicious Chinese Recipes to Try!

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  • Orange Chicken
  • Chicken Fried Rice
  • Cashew Chicken
  • Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

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Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (7)

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Chicken Chow Mein

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This chow mein is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant! It's made with tender noodles, fresh sauteed veggies, lean chicken, and a simple savory sauce. A crave-worthy dinner!

Watch the video

Servings: 4

Prep15 minutes minutes

Cook15 minutes minutes

Ready in: 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare noodles according to directions on package.

  • In a bowl whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and sesame oil, set aside.

  • Heat oil in a wok or large and deep non-stick skillet over moderately high heat.

  • Add chicken (working to leave a little space between pieces so they'll brown) and cook 3 - 4 minutes, turn and continue to cook until cooked through, about 2 - 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate or sheet of foil.

  • Reduce heat slightly add remaining 1 Tbsp oil in skillet, add celery and saute 3 minutes.

  • Add cabbage and saute 2 minutes, then add carrots, green onions, garlic and ginger and saute 1 - 2 minutes longer, until veggies are all crisp tender.

  • Toss in noodles and chicken then pour soy sauce mixture over top and toss to coat. Serve warm.

Notes

  • *8 oz dry spaghetti (thin or regular) will work great too.
  • **Chicken thighs will work great too. Cook a few minutes longer as needed.
  • ***I've also made this with hoisin sauce in place of oyster sauce when I don't have it. They have much different flavors but both give a delicious flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Chow Mein

Amount Per Serving

Calories 464Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 105mg35%

Sodium 878mg38%

Potassium 845mg24%

Carbohydrates 52g17%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 8410IU168%

Vitamin C 27.8mg34%

Calcium 84mg8%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Chicken Chow Mein, Chow Mein

Author: Jaclyn

Originally shared March 2015.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What makes chow mein taste like chow mein? ›

Simple sauce: While chow mein sauce is unbelievably easy to make, it still brings a complexity of flavors to the dish. The careful combination of ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce and sugar results in a chow mein sauce that has hints of both savory and sweet notes.

What are the white crunchy things in chow mein? ›

The white Chinese crispy noodles are called "chow mein noodles." They are made from wheat flour and are often deep-fried until crispy. Chow mein noodles are a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and are used in dishes such as chow mein and crispy noodle salad.

What is the difference between chow mein and crispy chow mein? ›

Crispy chow mein is usually topped with a thick brown sauce, while steamed chow mein is mixed with soy sauce before being served. There is a regional difference in the US between the East and West Coast use of the term "chow mein". On the East Coast, "chow mein" is always the crispy kind.

What are the two types of chow mein? ›

There are actually two kinds of chow mein: a crispy version and a saucy version. Calling one crispy is kind of confusing because both versions should be crispy, but the main difference is how the sauce is incorporated into the dish.

What is the sauce in chow mein made of? ›

Combine soy sauce, light sesame oil, oyster sauce, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth to make the signature sweet and savory sauce that makes chow mein taste authentic.

What is Chicago style chow mein? ›

CHICAGO CHOW MEIN: Slices of vegetables in a dark sauce with mushrooms, water chestnuts, and pea pods.

What is the skinny white thing in Chinese food? ›

Rice Vermicelli Noodles 米粉

Vermicelli is a thin, long, white noodle that is often found in soups, stir-fries and salads in Chinese cuisine.

What is New York style chow mein? ›

In New York, if you order it from a Chinese takeout restaurant, you'll get vegetables cooked in white sauce (with a protein of your choice) served with white rice. You'd probably find a small bag of crackers in the delivery bag.

Why is my chow mein mushy? ›

Overcooking the Noodles: One of the most common mistakes is overcooking the chow mein noodles, leaving them mushy rather than al dente. The key is to cook them until they're still quite firm, as they'll continue cooking when you add them to the stir-fry.

What is the difference between chicken chow mein and chicken chow mein fun? ›

Chow mein is typically a bit dryer than chow fun. Texture: Chow fun rice noodles are soft and chewy and the dish uses more sauce. Chow mein noodles tend to be crispier and dryer. Origins: Chow mein originated in northern China while chow fun is a southern-style Chinese dish.

What is the difference between chicken lo mein and chicken chow mein? ›

“Lo mein usually uses the fat, chewy noodles, while chow mein uses the thin type of noodles that sometimes contain egg.” Lo mein uses fresh noodles that are boiled for a few minutes, while chow mein uses dried noodles that are parboiled for five to six minutes. Then there's the difference in cooking method.

What is a good substitute for chow mein noodles? ›

Yes, it is possible to substitute spaghetti for chow mein noodles by boiling it with a small amount of baking soda. The baking soda alters the pH level of the spaghetti, giving it a similar texture and flavor to chow mein noodles. They can then be used in any dish that calls for chow mein noodles.

What is Yung Chow chow mein? ›

"Yung Chow Chow Mein" is not a recognized term or dish. It seems to be a playful combination of the Chow Chow dog breed and "Chow Mein," a popular Chinese stir-fried noodle dish. While it's not a real culinary term, it could make for a fun and creative name for a dog-themed dish or event.

What is the difference between chicken chop suey and chicken chow mein? ›

With chow mein, you cook noodles and add them to your wok of other ingredients, cooking everything together in one pan. However, with a chop suey recipe, you will cook the noodles or rice and other ingredients separately before combining them in a bowl, serving up the noodles or rice with the sauce served over the top.

What's the difference between chow mein and chow choy? ›

If there's rice, it's chop suey. If there are noodles, it's probably chow mein. The Sauce: Soy sauce, never thickened. The Variations: Sometimes, you'll see this same dish, but with steamed noodles.

What tastes better, chow mein or lo mein? ›

Largely this is a matter of personal taste since both dishes can be made to your preference. If you prefer lightly sauced noodles with some crunch and vegetables with some snap, chow mein might be the way to go. If you like a more comforting noodle with richly flavored sauce, lo mein may be the better option.

What is the main difference between lo mein and chow mein? ›

Chow Mein And Lo Mein Use Different Noodles

Lo mein typically uses fresh noodles, while chow mein can be made with fresh or dried. Lo mein noodles are typically thick and chewy. Stir-fried noodles in chow mein are thinner and cooked to a golden crisp.

What is authentic chow mein? ›

Chow mein is a bastardized form of an authentic dish called, in Mandarin, "ch'ao mien", or "stir-fried noodles". The authentic dish is prepared by frying boiled noodles w with a few bits of meat and vegetables. Those crisp noodles served in this country are not found in China. Chop suey originated in a legendary Calif.

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