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
This recipe was fantastic! The flavors were so good, and it was easy to follow. Will definitely make it again!
I made it for my kids and they actually ate their veggies! Winning! 👏
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? 🤔
This is such a fake recipe. Chow mein isn’t even made with chicken usually. You American people ruin everything!
I think chicken is a common addition in many places! It’s not fake, just a twist on the original.
The ingredient list is simple and that’s why I like it. Oyster sauce + soy sauce combo is legit. I’ll make this again for sure.
I like the combo too, but I feel like 1/4 cup soy sauce might be salty depending on the brand. I’d maybe start with a splash less and adjust. Still sounds good though!
Totally agree—simple ingredient list but still super flavorful. Oyster sauce really makes it taste “restaurant” for sure. 😄
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.
Chow mein with chicken? Sounds weird. I usually put shrimp. Still good tho.
Meh. The sauce was okay but it didn’t taste like restaurant chow mein to me. Also I don’t know if my noodles were the right kind (I grabbed the wrong pack 😅).
Meh SAME. If you don’t use the right chow mein noodles, it’s basically just stir-fry noodles 😅. I’d try whatever your package says for “chow mein” (thicker/chewier usually) and make sure you cook them al dente so they don’t go mushy or bland. Sauce on point though—soy + oyster + sugar is pretty restaurant-y.
Totally fair—restaurant chow mein usually has a stronger wok flavor and that smoky “stir-fry” vibe. I’ve found upping the heat and letting the noodles fry in the pan for a minute or two after draining helps a lot. Also, the wrong noodle pack could absolutely change the whole texture.
SO GOOD! I added some extra veggies and it was even better! Yum!
Yum! Quick and tasty. I didn’t have oyster sauce, so I used fish sauce instead. Still yummy.
4 stars!
Fish sauce instead of oyster? That’s kinda bold! 😄 But if it turned out yummy, who am I to judge? Love a good kitchen improv!
Chow mein? I thought this was spaghetti for a sec. But it turned out pretty good! Will try again! 4/5.
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.
It was delicious, but I don’t know if my chow mein noodles were the right kind…
I followed it pretty exactly and it tasted kinda sweet. Not bad, just surprised by the 2 tsp sugar with the soy/oyster. Next time I’ll reduce sugar or add a pinch more salt.
It was ok, but I think it needs more sauce. Felt a bit dry to me.
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.
Not great, I think it needed more soy sauce. Just taste kinda bland to me.
Chow meh, more like chow meh! Where’s the flavor? I added some chili flakes but still felt bland. Disappointed. 3/5.
I am not a cook, but I managed to make it and even liked it. Surprised!
I was skeptical about the ginger, but it really adds a nice kick! Thumbs up from me.
Ginger in chow mein? Sounds weird! I guess people are adding strange things now. Anyway, whatever works.
I didn’t think ginger would work in chow mein, but wow, it surprised me too! Totally agree.
I think this is going to give me a heart attack! Too much oil, too many sauces! Just sayin’. 1 star.
I don’t know, mine ended up kinda soggy. I followed the instructions but maybe it’s the noodles? Not sure… 2 stars.
Whatever, how hard is it really to just throw some noodles and chicken together? Seems overrated!
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.
I love chow mein! But this recipe is missing something, seems too basic.