The Best Chicken Chow Mein Recipe: Irresistible Homemade Sauce

Chicken chow mein represents a delightful fusion of textures and bold flavors that dance across your palate.

Crisp vegetables and succulent protein create a harmonious blend that elevates an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

the classic Asian-inspired dish brings comfort and excitement to weeknight dinners with its robust profile.

Soft noodles intertwine with colorful ingredients, promising a satisfying culinary experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

the sauce, a magical element, ties each component together with its rich, nuanced character.

Home cooking allows you to control ingredients and customize every delectable bite.

Prepare to wow your taste buds with this crowd-pleasing classic.

Why Chow Mein’s Never Been This Good at Home

• Savor Quick Flavor Fusion: This chicken chow mein delivers restaurant-quality taste in just 20 minutes, blending Asian-inspired seasonings with perfectly cooked ingredients for a mouthwatering meal.
• Master Restaurant-Style Technique: The stir-fry method ensures crisp vegetables and golden chicken, allowing home cooks to create professional-level dishes with minimal cooking skills and basic kitchen equipment.
• Customize Your Comfort Meal: Flexible recipe welcomes personal touches like extra vegetables, protein swaps, or spice adjustments, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution that adapts to individual preferences and pantry availability.

What You’ll Need for That Saucy, Slurpy Magic

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance and flavor of the dish.
• Chow Mein Noodles: Foundation of the dish with perfect al dente texture for authentic stir-fry experience.

• Carrots, Cabbage: Fresh vegetables that add crunch, nutrition, and color to the stir-fry.
• Green Onions: Bright, fresh garnish that provides a sharp flavor and visual appeal.

• Oyster Sauce: Rich, savory condiment that creates depth of flavor in Asian cuisine.
• Soy Sauce: Classic Asian seasoning that adds umami and saltiness to the dish.
• Sesame Oil: Aromatic oil that provides a distinctive nutty flavor and authentic Asian taste.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid base that enhances overall moisture and flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Thickening agent that helps create a smooth, glossy sauce.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the savory elements with a subtle sweetness.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a robust, pungent flavor base.

How to Stir-Fry the Best Chicken Chow Mein Ever

Step 1: Whip Up the Magical Sauce

• Oyster sauce
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Chicken broth
• Cornstarch
• Granulated sugar

Whisk everything until silky smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Cook Perfectly Tender Noodles

Follow package instructions to cook noodles until they reach al dente texture. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside.

Step 3: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat of oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add chicken pieces and minced garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes until chicken turns golden brown and is completely cooked. Remove chicken and keep warm.

Step 4: Stir-Fry Vibrant Vegetables

• Julienned carrots
• Shredded cabbage
• Extra garlic (optional)

Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, keeping vegetables tender and slightly crunchy.

Step 5: Combine and Create Magic

Return cooked chicken to the pan. Add noodles and pour prepared sauce over everything. Toss to ensure even coating. Let everything cook together for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped green onions on top. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious chicken chow mein!

Pro Tips to Get That Perfect Wok-Style Finish

• Noodle Selection: Choose fresh or dried chow mein noodles for authentic flavor and best texture.
• High Heat Mastery: Maintain high heat throughout cooking to achieve that classic wok-style sear and prevent soggy vegetables.
• Sauce Whisking Technique: Mix sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure cornstarch dissolves completely, preventing lumpy consistency.
• Vegetable Timing: Add vegetables last to preserve their crisp texture and vibrant color, avoiding overcooking.
• Garnish Freshness: Sprinkle green onions just before serving to add a bright, zesty finish and enhance overall presentation.

Reheat Like a Pro Without Killing the Crunch

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Transfer any remaining chicken chow mein into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. Your delicious meal will stay fresh for 3-4 days when properly sealed and chilled.
• Freezing Option: Carefully pack cooled chow mein in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen chicken chow mein maintains its quality for up to 2 months when stored correctly.
• Reheating Method: Warm refrigerated chow mein in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out. Stir occasionally for even heating, typically taking 3-5 minutes until the dish reaches a steaming hot temperature throughout.

What to Serve That Complements These Slippery Noodles

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the savory chicken chow mein, cutting through the richness with their light, zesty notes.
• Refresh with Green Tea: A hot jasmine or green tea balances the dish's oily texture, cleansing the palate and enhancing the subtle garlic and sesame flavors.
• Boost with Asian Beer: Tsingtao or Sapporo beer offers a cold, crisp counterpoint to the warm noodles, matching the Chinese-inspired cuisine with authentic flavor profiles.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Salad: A quick cucumber and rice vinegar side dish provides a refreshing crunch that contrasts the warm, saucy chow mein, adding a light, tangy element to the meal.

Saucy Twists That Shake Things Up

• Spicy Sriracha Chicken Chow Mein: Add 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce to the original recipe for a fiery kick, replacing some of the chicken broth to maintain sauce consistency.
• Vegetarian Tofu Chow Mein: Substitute chicken with firm tofu cubes, pressing out excess moisture before cooking to achieve a similar golden-brown texture and protein-rich meal.
• Seafood Shrimp Chow Mein: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp, reducing cooking time to 3-4 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain tender seafood flavor.
• Gluten-Free Asian Noodle Bowl: Use rice noodles or gluten-free wheat noodles, swap regular soy sauce for tamari, and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diners.

Chicken Chow Mein With The Best Chow Mein Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory chicken chow mein delivers a classic Chinese-American stir-fry packed with tender noodles and crisp vegetables. Sesame-infused sauce and perfectly charred chicken create a restaurant-quality meal you can quickly prepare in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Noodles and Vegetables:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) chow mein noodles (uncooked)
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 large carrot (julienned)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ batch green onions (chopped for garnish)

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
• 6 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons light sesame oil (not toasted)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft a harmonious sauce by whisking oyster sauce, soy sauce (30 milliliters or 1 fluid ounce), sesame oil (15 milliliters or 0.5 fluid ounces), chicken broth (60 milliliters or 2 fluid ounces), cornstarch, and granulated sugar in a compact mixing bowl until silky smooth, then reserve for later use.
2. Prepare chow mein noodles precisely according to package guidelines, targeting an al dente consistency; carefully drain and rinse under cold water, then let rest momentarily.
3. Warm of cooking oil in a spacious wok or large skillet over robust heat; introduce chicken pieces and finely minced garlic, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until protein achieves a golden-brown exterior and reaches complete internal doneness.
4. Without cleaning the cooking surface, introduce julienned carrots and delicately shredded cabbage into the same pan, potentially adding an extra garlic punch; stir-fry vigorously for 3-4 minutes, maintaining vegetable crispness and structural integrity.
5. Reintegrate the previously cooked chicken into the vegetable medley, then gracefully incorporate prepared noodles; cascade the reserved sauce across the entire mixture, thoroughly tossing to guarantee uniform flavor distribution.
6. Allow the combined ingredients to meld and heat through for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring optimal temperature and flavor integration.
7. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions immediately before serving, elevating both visual appeal and aromatic complexity of the dish.

Notes

• Sauce blends easily when whisking oyster, soy, sesame oil, broth, cornstarch, and sugar until silky smooth.
• Noodles cook quickly to al dente, then cool down with cold water rinse for perfect texture.
• Chicken sizzles golden in hot oil with aromatic garlic, achieving tender and flavorful results in minutes.
• Crisp carrots and cabbage dance in the skillet, maintaining delightful crunch and vibrant colors.
• Combining chicken, noodles, and sauce creates a harmonious flavor explosion that melds beautifully.
• Green onions sprinkle final freshness, transforming the dish from good to restaurant-worthy spectacular.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 585 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 910mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 73g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 68mg