Chicken Chow Mein

This Chicken Chow Mein Recipe is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant, but it’s made at home in under 30 minutes! It’s made with tender noodles, fresh sautéed veggies, lean chicken, and a simple savory sauce. A crave-worthy dinner that’s better than takeout!

Chicken Chow Mein

This will likely become one of your go-to dinner recipes because it’s so easy to make, yet it tastes so delicious! I mean, who doesn’t love diving into a big bowl of noodles?

My whole family loves this chicken chow mein recipe, and I love how quickly it comes together, plus it’s one of those recipes we all agree on. Instead of complaints about what’s for dinner, the kids request this!

What Ingredients do I Need for Chow Mein?

• Fresh chow mein noodles – yakisoba or dry thin spaghetti are great substitutes. (Egg noodles are ok.)
• Vegetables – celery, cabbage, matchstick carrots, garlic, green onions, bell pepper, ginger, bok choy.
• Seasonings – low-sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt.
• Chicken breasts – chicken thighs will work great too, just cook a few minutes longer. You can omit the chicken if you are just making it as a side dish. (Try this with beef, pork, or shrimp!)

Want to see how easy this Chow Mein Recipe is? Watch the video!

How do You Make Chinese Chow Mein?

• Prepare and cook noodles according to the package instructions, boil, and drain.
• In a bowl, whisk together dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil; set aside.
• Heat oil in a wok or large and deep non-stick skillet over moderately high heat.

• Add chicken (working to leave a little space between pieces so they’ll brown) and cook 3 – 4 minutes.
• Turn and continue to cook until cooked through, about 2 – 3 minutes longer.
• Transfer to a plate or sheet of foil.

• Reduce heat slightly, add remaining 1 Tbsp oil in skillet, add celery, and saute 3 minutes.
• Add cabbage and saute 2 minutes, then add carrots, green onions, garlic, and ginger and saute 1 – 2 minutes longer, until veggies are all crisp-tender.
• Toss in noodles and chicken, then drizzle soy sauce mixture over top and toss to coat. Serve warm.

What is the Best Type of Noodle to Use for Chow Mein?

Dry thin spaghetti is a good choice with its neutral flavor, and it’s so easy to find.

• Yakisoba is my go-to choice. They’re found in refrigerated packaged food in the produce section of some grocery stores (I buy Fortune brand at Kroger).
• Fresh chow mein noodles (Hong Kong style noodles) are a good option, but they are harder to find in the U.S. They are available at some Asian grocery stores. Honestly, though, I prefer the yakisoba better here since they don’t have a lightly sour flavor, and they aren’t as greasy.
• Dry spaghetti. I’ve used this and it works great here too. It has a neutral flavor and similar texture. Regular or thin will work.
• Dry chow mein noodles (not the crispy crackers, obviously) will work too. I haven’t tried this option yet, so I couldn’t give my opinion, but I’m guessing it’s similar to the spaghetti option (but made with wheat flour vs. semolina).

Can I Use Other Vegetables?

I like the classic vegetable blend here, but you can definitely swap in some you might already have, like bean sprouts, mushrooms, spring onions, bell peppers, snow peas, or water chestnuts.

Do I Have to Use Oyster Sauce?

Don’t worry about the finished dish tasting like oysters from the sauce; it just gives it a nice depth of flavor.

When I don’t have any in my fridge, I’ve used hoisin sauce in its place, so if you insist on skipping it, go with hoisin. They taste very different, but either will add rich, delicious flavor.

More Delicious Chinese Recipes to Try!

• Lettuce Wraps
• Baked Honey Garlic Chicken
• Orange Chicken
• Chicken Fried Rice
• Cashew Chicken
• Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Originally shared March 2015.