EASY Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

If you love noodles, this easy Chicken Chow Mein is a must-try! The secret is in the sauce made from soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch. This yummy Chow Mein sauce makes the noodles super tasty.

Just like my favorites - Thai Basil Chicken, Drunken Noodles, Lo Mein, and Orange Chicken - Chicken Chow Mein is a top pick.

Why This Easy Chicken Chow Mein is Best

This recipe is always loved by my family and friends and for a good reaosn. It hides veggies like cabbage, carrots, onion in the noodles, so you get your greens without even noticing.

Plus, it’s quick - ready in less than 30 minutes! You can also switch up the protein and veggies to make it even easier.

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What Type of Noodles to Use for Easy Chow Mein

Chow Mein noodles are special because they are thin and crinkly, and coated lightly with flour. They look a bit different from other noodles.

Can’t find Chow Mein Noodles? No worries! You can use Ramen noodles (just skip the seasoning packet), or thin spaghetti, or other thin egg noodles (check the packet to see if it lists eggs).

Thicker rice noodle are also an option but would be different from the original version.

Chow Mein vs. Lo Mein: What’s the Difference?

Chow mein noodles are thin and a little crispy, while Lo Mein noodles are thick and soft, like thick spaghetti.

Lo mein noodles should be saucey and slippery and not fried to crispy like chow mein.

Ingredients

Oyster sauce - Adds a rich, slightly sweet, and savory flavor.
Chicken - This time I used chicken breast (tenderloins are also ok) but chicken thighs would be even more juicier if you like dark chicken meat. For other proteins, you can use sliced pork, beef, turkey, whole shrimp, or even ground meat. Just remember to marinate and cook ground meat in chunks.
Sesame oil - Gives a nutty aroma and taste.
Chow Mein noodles - You can find these at Asian grocery stores or regular grocery stores (dry noodles in a package or frozen).
Cornstarch - Helps thicken the sauce.
Soy sauce - Look for “soy sauce” or “light soy sauce” on the label. I prefer Kikkoman. Avoid dark or sweet soy sauce. If you need a gluten-free option, tamari works well.
Cabbage - Any green cabbage works - like green, Chinese cabbage or savoy. I even use purple cabbage sometimes! Once cooked, the flavor and texture are pretty similar.
Scallions and garlic - Add sharp, savory flavors and a burst of color. For more sharp onion flavor, use the white part for frying.

📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.

How To Make Easy Chicken Chow Mein

In a small bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, granulated sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Set this aside.
Cook the noodles according to the package directions, then drain and rinse them with cold water. Set them aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large wok or pan over medium heat. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized strips and cook them in the oil until they’re golden brown. Take the chicken out and set it aside.

Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan, then add the carrots, cabbage, and pressed garlic. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the veggies are a bit softened and the cabbage is slightly translucent.
Add the noodles and chicken back into the pan. Pour the sauce over everything, stir well, and cook for another 2 minutes.
Garnish your chow mein with chopped green onions and serve the noodles hot straight from the pan!

🤷‍♀️ Why is my Chow Mein Soggy? If your chow mein is soggy, try cooking the noodles until they're just firm and don’t add too much sauce at once.

Stir-fry everything on high heat and don’t overcrowd the pan. It helps to fry the noodles right after boiling so they don’t get too mushy.

Tips

Marinating - For even better results, marinate chicken in the sauce. Pour 1-2 tablespoon of sauce over the chicken, mix to coat, set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
For garlic, chop it finely instead of using a press or jarred garlic, as they can burn quickly.
Prep everything first – Have all your ingredients chopped, sauces mixed, and noodles ready before you start cooking. Stir-frying moves fast!
A large skillet or wok pan works best so the noodles don’t spill out when you toss them.
If you have vegetarians, use vegetable broth and baked tofu instead of meat, and set aside some noodles for them. Note: Oyster sauce is not vegan so you may need to replace this with something similar like teriyaki (without honey).
Don’t overcook the noodles – Boil the noodles until just tender (al dente) since they will cook more in the stir-fry.
Use high heat – Stir-fry on high heat to cook the chicken and veggies quickly while keeping them crisp.

What To Serve With Chow Mein

Here are some great options to serve with Chicken Chow Mein:

Cucumber Salad – This Korean or Asian cucumber salad
Pickled vegetables - Pickled daikon radish or cabbage
Egg Rolls or Wonton Dumplings
Lettuce Wraps
Spring Rolls – Light and fresh, they balance out the savory noodles. We also love Thai or Chinese samosas
Wonton Soup or Sweet and Sour Soup
Vegetables – Steamed broccoli, spicy zucchini, Brussels sprouts, bok choy or thsi air fryer cauliflower

Freezing And Storing Instructions

To Store. Keep leftover Chicken Chow Mein in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
To Freeze. Freeze Chicken Chow Mein in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. You'll have to add extra broth or sauce when reheating.
To Make Ahead. You can prep the veggies, chicken and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. When ready to cook, follow the recipe instructions.

More Quick Asian Recipes

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Recipe Card

Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.

Chicken Chow Mein: Frequently Asked Questions

What type of noodles should I use for Chow Mein?

Use thin, crinkly Chow Mein noodles. If you can’t find them, ramen or thin spaghetti works too.

What vegetables work best in Chow Mein?

Common vegetables include cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts, but you can also use broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas.

Can I make Chow Mein with chicken, beef, or shrimp?

Yes, you can! Chow Mein works with any protein like chicken, beef, shrimp, or even tofu.

Is Chow Mein healthy?

It can be healthy, especially if you add lots of vegetables, use less oil and low sodium sauces. You can also choose lean meats.

Homemade Easy Chicken Chow Mein