Chow Mein

Chow Mein

Chow Mein is the perfect mid week meal because it is fast, easy to make, and provides both protein and veggies all in one dish, no sides required.  Plus this chicken chow mein recipe is completely customizable so you can cater to those picky eaters.

Tender, flavorful chicken, crisp veggies, and crispy stir fried noodles make this an amazing dish you could eat any day of the week without complaint.

Serve with avocado egg rolls, and egg drop soup for a complete meal!

Delicious chow mein noodles loaded with healthy veggies and chicken, this chow mien recipe is a flavorful, must have dish.  Prepped and cooked in just a short 15 minutes, this chow mein dish is a great option for even the most hectic of evenings.

I really like this chow mein recipe because you can easily add or make substitutions.  Sub out the chicken for pork, beef, or shrimp. Or, if you have some vegetarians in the house, add tofu or just load up on the veggies.  

This chow mein recipe can be adapted to fit the needs of your individual families.

What Is The Difference Between Chow Mein  and Lo Mein?

You will love this chicken chow mein recipe.  It is just so tasty.

Now, just remember that chow mein and lo mein are not the same thing.  People may mistakenly use these phrases interchangeably, but they are different.

Surprisingly, the difference between chow mein and lo mein is not in the noodles.  Both chow mein and lo mein both use wheat flour egg noodles.

The difference is in the method of preparation.

Lo mein noodles are soft boiled.  However chow mein noodles are stir fried.

Chow Mein Vs. Lo Mein:

• Both use wheat flour egg noodles.
• Difference is in the preparation of the noodle.
• Lo Mein:  Noodles are soft boiled and added at the end.
• Chow Mein: Noodles are stir fried and can be added at the end or stir fried with other ingredients.

I like both methods of preparation.  However, if you are partial to a more soft boiled noodle, then exercise that method when making this dish, resulting in more of a chicken lo mein meal.  Either will be delicious of course.

What Ingredients Do I Need For Chow Mein?

I wasn’t lying when I said this dish is customizable.  I will list the ingredients I like and use for this recipe, but feel free to adjust.

Ingredients Needed:

• Chow Mein Noodles:  Chow mein noodles or another thin noodle.
• Veggies:  Green cabbage, matchstick carrots, celery, bean sprouts, and green onions.  
• Protein:  Chicken Thighs.
• Sauce:  Rice wine or mirin, white sugar, sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic cloves, grated ginger, and Sriracha.   

I love the ingredients for this dish, but sometimes it’s fun to change things up a little bit.  Go for it!

I like chicken thighs for their tenderness and flavor, but you can use chicken breast or another protein of choice as well.

Substitutions

• Chicken Breast
• Pork
• Beef
• Shrimp
• Tofu
• Extra Veggies

Other Vegetables You Can Use:

• Mushrooms
• Bell Peppers
• Green Beans
• Snow Peas
• Peas

Eliminate or substitute different veggies based on your personal preference.

With some yummy noodles, healthy veggies, protein of choice, and this flavorful sauce, you have got yourself a killer chow mein dish.

How Do You Make Easy Chow Mein?

Follow this recipe and you will have yourself an easy chow mein dish.  

It only takes 5 minutes to cook and 10 minutes to prep.

This recipe is really fast and simple, but here are some further shortcuts.

Tricks for Easy Chow Mein:

• Cut veggies ahead of time or buy precut veggies.
• Make your sauce ahead and keep it on hand.
• Follow an easy recipe like this one!

What Are The Best Type Of Noodles TO Use For Chow Mein?

Chow Mein is not a high maintenance or pretentious dish.  Chow Mein is like an easy going friend. Not everything has to be just right to have a good experience.

For example, here is a little secret.  You don’t have to use chow mein noodles.  I know, I know that just sounds like crazy talk, but it’s true.

Considering the title of the dish is Chow Mein, if you can get your hands on some chow mein noodles, that is what I recommend.  However, the dish will be fine with a comparable substitute.

Now most grocery stores carry chow mein noodles or you could go to an Asian market to get them.

However, as mentioned before, if chow mein noodles are not an option, no worries my friend.  There are great substitutes.

Substitutions for Chow Mein Noodles:

• Thin Spaghetti Noodle
• Linguine
• Ramen Noodles

Use chow mein noodles or a thinner noodle and whip up some delicious chow mein.

Can This Be Frozen?

Are you ready for this answer you guys? Yes it can be frozen!  Noodles and all.

Sometimes when freezing dishes with noodles you have to undercook or eliminate the noodles for freezing.  You don’t have to do that with chow mein noodles.

How To Freeze Chow Mein:

1. Follow the recipe as normal.
2. Let the dish cool.
3. Transfer Chow Mein into an air tight container or gallon sized freezer bags, making sure to squeeze out the air in the bag.
4. Freeze

Note:  Do not let Chow Mein sit out for more than 2 hours before freezing.  Longer time can result in bacteria growth. Yuck! No one wants that.

4 simple steps and you have got yourself a yummy, convenient freezer meal.  Yes! Isn’t that just the best?

To reheat, add to a wok or skillet with a little water, or reheat in the  microwave.

Tips:

Here are a handful of tips that I have found helpful when making this dish.

1. Don’t have oyster sauce? No problem.  Use broth and some brown sugar instead. Or soy sauce and sugar. 
2. Cut all veggies up ahead of time.  Food cooks fast, and you don’t want to be playing catch up trying to cut while you have started cooking.
3. Lighter or medium colored soy sauce works best with this dish.  Dark soy sauce can be used, but the flavor does not pair as nicely with the noodles.
4. Bok Choy is a great addition to this dish or the use a coleslaw mix makes for a decent substitution, if you don’t have Bok Choy on hand.
5.   Buy a jar of already minced garlic so you have one less thing to do.  

Follow these little tips and you will have an easy yet delicious dish.

Serve With:

Chow Mein makes for a great stand alone dish or can be accompanied with so many great things. 

• Baked or Fried Shrimp and Veggie Egg Rolls
• Asian Chopped Salad
• Chocolate Cake (Classic)
• Instant Pot Lava Cakes

Chow Mein Is An Easy Crowd Pleasing Dish!

This Chow Mein recipe is one that you will want to keep on hand.  It’s easy, fast, delicious, and can be customized to fit even the pickiest of eaters’ needs.

Other Dishes To Try:

• Vegetable Lo Mein
• Beef Lo Mein
• Asian Lemon Chicken
• Sesame Ginger Chicken Salad
• Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli
• Chicken Fried Rice

Chow Mein

Flavorful chicken, stir fried noodles, and tender crisp vegetables make the perfect chow mein.

3.91 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian

Keyword: chicken chow mein, chow mein

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 467kcal

Ingredients

• 8 oz chicken thighs boneless, skinless fillets, thinly sliced
• 5 cups green cabbage chopped fine
• 1 1/2 cups matchstick carrots
• ½ cup celery thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 tbsp peanut oil
• 8 oz chow mein noodles
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 4 green onions

Chow Mein Sauce:

• 2 tbsp Rice wine or Mirin
• 2 1/2 tsp white sugar
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha

Instructions

Prep:

• Be sure to prep all ingredients before you start cooking, as this is a quick cook dinner.

Sauce:

• Mix together all ingredients and set aside.

Chicken:

• Cut Chicken: Slice chicken into thin pieces with a sharp knife, and place in a bowl or zip top bag.
• Marinate Chicken: Pour 1-2 tbsps of the sauce you just mixed up, over the chicken. Stir to coat, then put in refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Noodles:

• Noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package directions. Set aside.

Cooking:

• Heat oil in wok or large fry pan over high heat.
• Add chicken and stir fry until it starts to brown on the outside, but is not cooked through (1-2 minutes)
• Add the cabbage, carrots, celery, and stir fry until cabbage is wilted (1 1/2 -2 minutes).
• Add the noodles, and sauce.
• Stir fry for 1 minute, tossing throughout to ensure everything gets coated.
• Add bean sprouts and green onions.
• Toss through for 30 seconds to a minute.
• Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 467kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1135mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 8325IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3mg

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

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