Chicken Chow Mein Take-Out Style!

If chicken chow mein is your go-to order at Chinese restaurants, you’re going to love this recipe! It is easy to cook, authentic in flavor and much healthier than takeout.

Making chicken chow mein is easier than you might imagine. You don’t need a massive wok, an industrial sized burner or special tossing skills to make reasonable good chow mein at home. Of course these things help, but it’s possible to make takeout style chow mein without it!

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

Chicken chow mein is a Chinese noodle dish that often features stir fried noodles, vegetables, eggs and chicken. The kinds of vegetables and meat can be altered to your liking. However, egg noodles is the preferred noodles for takeout style chow mein.

Ingredients for Chicken Chow Mein

• Noodles: Chinese egg noodles is the best option for chow mein. These noodles have a chewy texture which makes it perfect for this dish.
• Chicken: Chicken breast or chicken thighs can be used.
• Aromatics: Garlic, ginger and scallions. They add to the authentic chow mein flavor.
• Vegetables: Cabbage, carrots and green onions are most commonly used. You can also include bell peppers, bok choy, bean sprouts and onions.
• Eggs: Scrambled eggs add flavor to the dish.
• Sauce: Light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and water together create the perfect chow mein sauce.
• Cooking oil: Neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil and canola oil are your best options.
• Flavor enhancers: Sesame oil, MSG, salt and pepper can further enhance the flavor of chow mein. These are optional ingredients.

How to Make Chicken Chow Mein

Prep

1. Slice chicken breast in half and then slice into thin strips. Mix with 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp water and set aside for 10 minutes. After the chicken has absorbed the soy sauce and water, coat it with 2 tbsp cornstach and set aside.
2. Thinly slice the cabbage and cut the carrots into matchsticks. Cut the green tops of scallions into 2-inch pieces. Mince ginger, garlic and the white part of the scallions.
3. Mix all the ingredients mentioned under “sauce” and set aside. This will make it easier while stir frying.
4. Cook noodles 2 minutes less than the package instructions to avoid overcooking. Drain the cooked noodles and wash with cold water to prevent any further cooking. Coat the noodles with 1 tbsp oil and set aside.

Cook

1. Heat oil in a wok and scramble 2 eggs. Set it aside once done.
2. Add some more oil and stir fry the chicken on high heat until cooked through. Transfer it to a bowl.
3. Next stir fry ginger, garlic and scallion whites for 1 minute. Add the carrots and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage and stir fry until the vegetables are lightly charred. Transfer to the same bowl as the chicken.
4. Stir fry noodles for a couple of minutes, until slightly fried. This will give it the wok tossed flavor.
5. Next add in the stir-fried chicken and vegetables. Pour in the sauce and mix well. Stir fry for a couple of minutes.
6. Season with black pepper and MSG (optional for authentic flavor)
7. Finish the chicken chow mein with a few drops of sesame oil, eggs, scallion green and mix. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes and enjoy!

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More Easy Chinese Recipes

• Vegetable Chow Mein in 30-Minutes: Make this for a vegetarian/vegan friendly chow mein version.
• Garlic Chicken in Chinese Garlic Sauce: This pairs well with chicken chow mein or plain rice.
• Chicken and Broccoli Recipe: Easy weeknight dinner.
• Spicy Noodles (Quick and Easy!): A last-minute noodle dish that is sure to impress!