Chow Mein with chicken is a classic and delicious stir-fry dish that brings together tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles, all tossed in a savory sauce. This popular Chinese-American dish is quick to prepare, making it a great option for busy weeknights, yet flavorful enough to impress guests at a dinner gathering. Whether served as a main dish or alongside other Chinese-inspired meals, chow mein with chicken is a well-loved choice.
The dish starts with stir-fried chicken, which is sliced into thin strips, seasoned, and quickly cooked to tender perfection. The chicken provides a hearty base for the dish and absorbs the savory flavors of the sauce, adding richness to every bite. The noodles, typically chow mein or lo mein, are stir-fried until golden and slightly crispy on the edges, creating a wonderful contrast in texture to the tender chicken and vegetables.
In addition to the chicken and noodles, a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, and green onions are stir-fried to add a refreshing crunch and vibrant color to the dish. These vegetables not only brighten the plate but also bring a perfect balance to the savory, slightly sweet sauce that coats the noodles. The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and a touch of ginger and garlic creates a fragrant and flavorful sauce that ties all the ingredients together.
Chow mein with chicken is highly customizable, and you can add other proteins like shrimp, pork, or tofu, depending on your preference. The dish is also versatile in terms of vegetables, allowing you to add or swap ingredients based on what’s in season or what you have on hand.
This easy-to-make dish is satisfying and packed with flavor, offering a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and carbs. Chow mein with chicken is ideal for anyone craving an authentic, home-cooked stir-fry with a deliciously rich sauce. Whether you’re serving it for dinner or packing leftovers for lunch, it’s a meal that’s sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 1 pound chicken breast sliced into thin strips
- 1 pack chow mein noodles 8 oz
- 1 cup carrots julienned
- 1 cup cabbage shredded
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast slices and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the carrots and cabbage to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Meanwhile, cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and add them to the pan with the vegetables.
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables, tossing to coat evenly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan, and stir everything together until heated through and well combined. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on. Will make this again for sure!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Chow mein is one of my favorite dishes too. It’s always a hit at my gatherings.
Sounds good but I don’t like oyster sauce, can I just leave it out? Will it taste okay? 🤔
I think Chow Mein needs shrimp. Chicken’s okay but not as good.
I totally agree! Shrimp would add a great flavor. Chicken’s alright, but shrimp just elevates chow mein. Hope you try it!
But isn’t the chicken more filling? I’ve never tried shrimp in chow mein, sounds weird. Not sure about that.
Recipe’s simple but my chicken ended up burnt. Sad face. 😢
Really nice dish, but my noodles got all mushy. Followed the times, but idk.
Eh, doesn’t taste like what I get at Chinese restaurants. I’m not impressed.
SO GOOD! I added some extra veggies and it was even better! Yum!
I made this for my family, and they all loved it! Very quick and easy.
Really? Took me hours to make. Didn’t taste that good either. 🤔
That’s awesome! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! I made it too and it was a hit! 😊
This recipe is too salty for me. I should have cut the soy sauce in half.
Hmm… do we really need sugar in chow mein? Isn’t it supposed to be savory?
You totally need a little sugar! It balances out the salty and savory tastes. Trust me, it makes it taste better!
But why sugar? Chow mein is kinda supposed to be just savory, right? Seems odd.
No such thing as too much garlic! I threw in more garlic and loved it!
Yum!, my family went back for seconds. Overall very filling and tasty.