Chicken Chow Mein
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A classic Chinese takeout recipe, Chicken Chow Mein is made up of noodles covered in a savoury sauce with juicy chicken and vegetables. A great recipe for a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love.
What is Chow Mein?
Chow mein is Chinese stir-fried noodles with vegetables and a protein of choice. It’s one of the most popular Chinese dishes around the world, available at every Chinese restaurant. Its sauce is usually made from soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine and oyster sauce.
Chicken chow mein is also one of the few recipes that have stayed true to authentic chow mein in westernized Chinese cuisine.
Just like fried rice dishes, you can get as creative as you want with chow mein. The possibilities are endless.
What Makes a Great Chow Mein?
Choosing the right noodle is important in making a delicious chow mein. Chow mein noodles are typically thinner and crinkly looking.
Lo mein noodles also work too. Their taste is similar to chow mein noodles but it comes down to your personal preference. Lo mein noodles are more wet and oily coming out of the package. After cooking, they are also much softer. They’re also much wider than chow mein noodles.
So if you prefer thinner, crispier noodles, go with chow mein. Otherwise, lo mein works just as well! If you can’t find either chow mein or lo mein noodles, other thin noodles like egg noodles or even ramen noodles make a great substitute too.
Another important ingredient for a yummy chicken chow mein is Shaoxing cooking wine. It’s used to make the sauce and will make it taste just like the chicken chow mein from your favourite takeout spot.
If the recipe is lacking in veggies for you, add in some shredded cabbage and carrots.
If you love noodles, check out our Shanghai Noodles recipe. Also, check our noodle soup recipes like Wonton Noodle Soup or our Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup recipes. For more delicious and authentic recipes, check out our Recipes page.
Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken breast or thigh fillets
- 2 cups white mushrooms
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 12 oz chow mein noodles
- 2 cups beansprouts
- ½ cup water
Sauce:
- 4 tsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
- 4 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Sauce:
- Start by making the sauce. Some if it will be used to marinate the chicken.
- Mix the cornflour and soy sauce together. Once the cornstarch has dissolved, add in the remaining sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Chicken & Noodles:
- Slice your chicken into thin slices. Put them into a bowl and pour 1 tablespoon of the prepared sauce over top. Mix everything together and make sure all the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside and let it marinate for 10 minutes.
- Next prepare your noodles. Follow the cooking instructions on the noodle package. Then drain and set aside to continue drying.
Cooking:
- Gently wash your beansprouts and make sure to let all the water drain.
- Then slice your mushrooms and set them aside.
- Peel the garlic cloves and mince.
- After, heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Add in the garlic and stir-fry for 10 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add in the chicken and cook for about 1 minute. The outside should be cooked while the inside is still raw. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry until fully cooked.
- Then add in the noodles, sauce and water. Stir-fry for another minute while constantly tossing everything to mix it together.
- Once everything is mixed, add in the beansprouts and cook for another 3 seconds or until the beansprouts start to wilt.
- Remove from the heat and plate. Serve hot. Enjoy!
