Chicken Chow Mein with The Best Chow Mein Sauce
This chicken chow mein is a quick, flavorful stir-fry loaded with tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and soft noodles, all tossed in a savory, slightly sweet chow mein sauce. A perfect weeknight dinner that’s better than takeout!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
For the chow mein sauce:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) chicken broth or water
For the chicken chow mein:
- 8 oz (225 g) chow mein noodles (or thin egg noodles)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded carrots
- 2 cups (150 g) shredded cabbage or bok choy
- 1/2 cup (50 g) bean sprouts (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the chow mein sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar, and chicken broth. Set aside.
- Cook the noodles:
- Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add garlic and onion and sauté for 1 minute. Add carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts (if using) and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes, until tender-crisp.
- Combine everything:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked noodles and pour the chow mein sauce over everything. Toss well to combine, ensuring the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve:
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, or tofu for a different protein option.
- Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or snap peas for more variety in the vegetables.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.