Ingredients
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized strips for protein base
– 3 tablespoons olive oil for stir-frying
– 12 oz uncooked chow mein noodles for noodle texture
– 2 cups cabbage for crunch and freshness
– 1 large carrot, julienned for sweetness and color
– Half a batch of green onions, chopped for garnishing
– 2 garlic cloves, pressed for aromatic depth
– 4 tablespoons oyster sauce (adjust to taste) for sauce umami
– 3 tablespoons granulated sugar for sweetness in sauce
– 3 tablespoons light sesame oil (not toasted) for nutty flavor in sauce
– Half a cup chicken broth for sauce moisture
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce for savoriness
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening sauce
Instructions
First Step: Prepare the Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons oyster sauce, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons light sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, half a cup chicken broth, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. This creates the flavorful base that brings everything together. For those watching sodium, you can adjust the oyster sauce to make it milder while keeping the essence of Chicken Chow Mein intact.
Second Step: Cook the Noodles Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook 12 oz uncooked chow mein noodles according to the package instructions, usually about 3-4 minutes. Once done, rinse them with cold water, drain well, and set aside to prevent sticking. If you’re adapting for gluten-free diets, swap in rice noodles here to keep Chicken Chow Mein accessible for everyone.
Third Step: Cook the Chicken Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large wok or pan over medium heat. Add 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast strips and cook until they turn golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside, letting it rest while you move on. This step ensures the chicken stays juicy, and you can use shrimp as a substitute if you’re in the mood for a seafood twist on Chicken Chow Mein.
Fourth Step: Sauté the Vegetables In the same pan, add 1 large carrot (julienned), 2 cups cabbage, and 2 garlic cloves (pressed). Sauté over medium heat until the vegetables soften and the cabbage turns slightly translucent, which takes around 3-5 minutes. Keep stirring to avoid burning, as this adds the fresh crunch that’s key to a great Chicken Chow Mein. Feel free to toss in extra veggies like broccoli for added nutrition and variety.
Fifth Step: Combine and Cook Return the cooked chicken and noodles to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and stir well to coat all ingredients evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes on medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. This is where the magic happens in Chicken Chow Mein, and you can adjust cooking time if you’re using pre-cooked noodles for even faster results.
Final Step: Garnish and Serve Garnish with the chopped green onions (half a batch) and serve hot for the best experience. The total prep time is 15 minutes, cook time is 20 minutes, making this a 35-minute wonder. Plate it up and enjoy the balanced sweet and salty flavors that make Chicken Chow Mein a go-to dish for busy families or food enthusiasts looking for healthy options.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍜 Pre-cooked chow mein noodles are available in the refrigerated section for convenience.
🍤 Substitute chicken with beef, shrimp, pork, or tofu and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
🌿 Add or substitute vegetables like bok choy, celery, broccoli, spinach, kale, or baby corn based on availability.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing, Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten (can be adapted with gluten-free soy sauce)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg
