Name: Chicken Chow Mein
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: For the Chicken Marinade:; 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or regular soy sauce); 1 tablespoon cornstarch; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or white sugar); ¼ teaspoon white pepper; 2 teaspoons sesame oil (or cooking oil); For the Chow Mein Sauce:; 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or regular soy sauce); 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce; 4 tablespoons oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or white sugar); 1 tablespoon water; ¼ teaspoon white pepper; For the Stir-Fry:; 300 grams dried egg noodles (or 2 servings of noodles); 250 grams boneless chicken breast (or thigh), thinly sliced; 1 onion, thinly sliced; 2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2-3 spring onions, cut into 2-inch pieces; 1 bell pepper (red or green), thinly sliced; 1 carrot, julienned; 2-3 cabbage leaves, thinly sliced; 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil (neutral flavor, add more if needed)

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chicken Chow Mein is a flavorful and satisfying homemade Chinese dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes! Packed with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, savory chow mein sauce, and perfectly cooked egg noodles, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. The quick stir-fry method ensures everything is cooked to perfection, making it an ideal weeknight meal when you’re craving something tasty and comforting. Chicken Chow Mein

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Chicken Marinade:

1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon brown sugar (or white sugar)
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 teaspoons sesame oil (or cooking oil)

For the Chow Mein Sauce:

2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
4 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or white sugar)
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

For the Stir-Fry:

300 grams dried egg noodles (or 2 servings of noodles)
250 grams boneless chicken breast (or thigh), thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2-3 spring onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 bell pepper (red or green), thinly sliced
1 carrot, julienned
2-3 cabbage leaves, thinly sliced
2-3 tablespoons cooking oil (neutral flavor, add more if needed)

Directions

Marinate the Chicken:

Cut the chicken into thin slices and place it in a bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 2 teaspoons sesame oil.
Mix well and set aside to marinate while you prepare the vegetables.

Prepare the Noodles:

Boil the egg noodles according to the packet instructions.
Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
(If you’re using fresh noodles, you can skip this step.)

Make the Chow Mein Sauce:

In a small bowl or jar, combine 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, 4 tablespoons oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper.
Stir until the sugar dissolves and set aside.

Stir-Fry the Chicken:

Heat a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.
Add a bit of cooking oil and stir-fry the marinated chicken until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes.
Remove from the pan and set aside.

Sauté the Vegetables:

In the same pan, drizzle more oil if needed.
Add garlic and onion, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden.
Add the hard vegetables (bell pepper, carrot, cabbage) and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Combine and Stir-Fry:

Add the cooked noodles to the pan.
Pour the prepared chow mein sauce over the noodles and toss everything together.
Add the cooked chicken and toss again to coat everything evenly in the sauce.

Finish and Serve:

Stir in the spring onions and toss everything one last time.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 2 – 3
Calories: 1016 kcal

Variations

Vegetarian version: Skip the chicken and add more vegetables like mushrooms, tofu, or tempeh for a plant-based alternative.
Add heat: If you like a bit of spice, add some chili paste, fresh sliced chilies, or chili oil to the stir-fry for extra kick.
Rice noodles: If you prefer rice noodles, feel free to substitute them for the egg noodles for a different texture.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a pan over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce to keep the noodles from drying out. You can also reheat in the microwave.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe and will provide a bit more flavor and juiciness.

2. What type of soy sauce should I use?

You can use either light or regular soy sauce, but light soy sauce is preferred for a more balanced flavor in the marinade and sauce.

3. Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Make sure your oyster sauce is gluten-free as well.

4. Can I use fresh noodles instead of dried egg noodles?

Yes, you can use fresh egg noodles. Just skip the boiling step and stir-fry them directly in the pan.

5. How can I make the noodles more flavorful?

You can marinate the noodles in a small amount of soy sauce or stir-fry them in a bit of sesame oil for added flavor before adding the sauce.

6. Can I freeze leftovers?

While it’s best to enjoy this dish fresh, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw and reheat in a pan or microwave.

7. Can I add more vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or baby corn to increase the nutritional value and flavor.

8. Can I use a different type of oil?

Yes, you can substitute sesame oil with other neutral oils like vegetable oil or canola oil, but sesame oil adds a distinct flavor that is key to this dish.

9. Can I make the chow mein sauce in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the chow mein sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

10. Is this recipe spicy?

No, this recipe is not spicy, but you can easily add chili paste or fresh chilies to increase the heat if you like.

Conclusion

This Chicken Chow Mein is the perfect quick and satisfying meal for any night of the week. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and flavorful noodles all coated in a savory sauce, it’s sure to please everyone at the table. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a fantastic option for a homemade Chinese dinner that’s as tasty as it is convenient.