Easy Chicken Chow Mein with tender chicken, veggies & noodles tossed in a savory sauce—quick, delicious, and better than takeout!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes.
- Customizable: Swap veggies or adjust spice levels to suit your taste.
- Better Than Takeout: Fresh, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients.
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in one wok or skillet.
Ingredients
For the Noodles and Stir-Fry:
- 300g dried egg noodles (or 2 servings of fresh noodles)
- 250-300g boneless chicken breast or thigh, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 spring onions, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, julienned
- 2-3 cabbage leaves, shredded
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 2-3 tbsp neutral-flavored oil (like vegetable or canola)
For the Sauce Mix:
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 4 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Directions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix all chicken marinade ingredients. Add the sliced chicken, toss well, and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Cook the Noodles
- Cook dried egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drizzle a little oil to prevent sticking.
3. Prepare the Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Stir until sugar dissolves and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Chicken
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the marinated chicken until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
5. Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same wok, add 1-2 tbsp of oil. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. Add bell pepper, carrot, cabbage, and half the spring onions. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, keeping vegetables crisp-tender.
6. Combine Everything
- Return the cooked chicken to the wok. Add the noodles and pour in the sauce mix. Toss everything together over medium-high heat until the noodles are evenly coated and heated through.
7. Garnish and Serve
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining spring onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Yield: 2-3 servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add chili oil or crushed red pepper for heat.
- Vegetarian: Replace chicken with tofu or mushrooms, and use vegetarian oyster sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free noodles and tamari in place of soy sauce.
- Additional Protein: Add shrimp, beef, or pork alongside the chicken.
- Extra Veggies: Include broccoli, snap peas, or bean sprouts for more variety.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the noodles.
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of noodles?
Yes, udon, rice noodles, or spaghetti can be used as substitutes.
2. What if I don’t have oyster sauce?
You can use hoisin sauce or a mix of soy sauce and sugar as a substitute.
3. Can I skip the chicken marinade?
The marinade adds flavor and tenderness, but you can skip it if short on time.
4. Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, just thaw and drain them well before stir-frying.
5. How do I prevent the noodles from clumping?
Rinse cooked noodles under cold water and toss with a little oil.
6. Can I make this dish spicy?
Absolutely! Add sriracha, chili flakes, or diced fresh chilies to the sauce or stir-fry.
7. What’s the best pan to use?
A large wok is ideal, but a large nonstick skillet works well too.
8. Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best served fresh, but you can prep the sauce, chicken, and veggies ahead to save time.
9. What can I serve with Chicken Chow Mein?
Pair it with spring rolls, dumplings, or a side of fried rice for a complete meal.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but stir-fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to steaming instead of frying.
Conclusion
Easy Chicken Chow Mein is a delicious, one-pan meal that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen. With tender chicken, crisp veggies, and savory noodles tossed in a rich sauce, it’s the perfect dish for busy nights or satisfying cravings. Give it a try and elevate your dinner game!
Print
Easy Chicken Chow Mein
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
Description
Easy Chicken Chow Mein with tender chicken, veggies & noodles tossed in a savory sauce—quick, delicious, and better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Noodles and Stir-Fry:
- 300g dried egg noodles (or 2 servings of fresh noodles)
- 250–300g boneless chicken breast or thigh, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2–3 spring onions, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, julienned
- 2–3 cabbage leaves, shredded
- 1 small carrot, julienned
- 2–3 tbsp neutral-flavored oil (like vegetable or canola)
For the Sauce Mix:
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 4 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix all chicken marinade ingredients. Add the sliced chicken, toss well, and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Cook the Noodles
- Cook dried egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drizzle a little oil to prevent sticking.
3. Prepare the Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Stir until sugar dissolves and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Chicken
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the marinated chicken until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
5. Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same wok, add 1-2 tbsp of oil. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. Add bell pepper, carrot, cabbage, and half the spring onions. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, keeping vegetables crisp-tender.
6. Combine Everything
- Return the cooked chicken to the wok. Add the noodles and pour in the sauce mix. Toss everything together over medium-high heat until the noodles are evenly coated and heated through.
7. Garnish and Serve
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with the remaining spring onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese