Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Chicken Chow Mein is a classic Chinese takeaway dish that is quick, flavorful, and easy to make at home. With tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s a satisfying meal that rivals your favorite takeaway. The savory sauce pulls everything together, creating a deliciously comforting dish that can be made in just a few simple steps.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts
Chow mein noodles
Vegetable oil
Garlic (minced)
Ginger (fresh, minced)
Carrot (julienned)
Bell pepper (sliced)
Onion (sliced)
Bean sprouts
Soy sauce
Oyster sauce
Sesame oil
Rice vinegar
Brown sugar
Cornstarch
Salt and pepper
Spring onions (for garnish)
Directions
- Cook the chow mein noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch to make the sauce. Set aside.
- Slice the chicken into thin strips, season with salt and pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the carrots, bell pepper, and onion to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until they begin to soften but remain crunchy.
- Return the chicken to the pan, add the cooked noodles, and toss everything together.
- Pour the sauce over the mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated and the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).
- Toss in the bean sprouts and cook for an additional minute.
- Serve the chicken chow mein garnished with spring onions.
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves 4 people.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
Total time: 20-25 minutes
Variations
- Add more vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or snap peas for extra texture.
- Swap chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu for a different protein.
- Make it spicier by adding chili paste or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover chicken chow mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the noodles if necessary.
FAQs
Can I use regular noodles instead of chow mein noodles?
Yes, you can use any stir-fry noodles, like egg noodles, but chow mein noodles provide the best texture.
Can I make this ahead of time?
While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the components in advance (like chopping the veggies and cooking the chicken) and stir-fry everything together when you’re ready to eat.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, just substitute the chicken with tofu or additional vegetables and use a vegetarian-friendly oyster sauce or mushroom sauce.
Can I freeze leftovers?
While the noodles may lose some texture when frozen, you can freeze leftovers for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove with a bit of water or oil.
Conclusion
Chicken Chow Mein is the perfect dish to satisfy your craving for Chinese takeaway at home. With a balance of flavors, textures, and simple ingredients, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for one or a whole family, it’s a quick and easy meal that everyone will love.
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How to Make Chicken Chow Mein Like the Takeaway
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Chicken Chow Mein is a delicious Chinese stir-fried noodle dish that’s packed with flavor. It’s made with tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and savory sauce, just like the takeaway version!
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 200g chow mein noodles
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup spring onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
Instructions
- Cook the chow mein noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large wok or skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken slices and cook until golden and cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the garlic and ginger, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Return the chicken to the pan along with the bean sprouts and spring onions, and stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Pour this sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring to coat.
- Add the cooked noodles and toss everything together to combine evenly. If the sauce is too thin, add the cornstarch mixture and stir until the sauce thickens and everything is well-coated.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra spring onions if desired.
Notes
- You can swap the chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu for different variations.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, baby corn, or snap peas.
- For a spicier version, add chili sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce.