Takeout-Style Chicken Chow Mein
Put down those carry-out and takeout menus and instead head to your kitchen to make this easy chicken chow mein yourself! Chinese takeout-style chicken chow mein takes 30 minutes to prepare and uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand. If you regularly make curries or fried rice, chances are good you already have what’s needed to make the chow mein sauce and stir-fried noodles! This is a perfect “oops, I forgot to plan dinner tonight” recipe. The chicken is coated in some of the chow mein sauce to marinate, and while that’s happening you can start cooking the chow mein noodles and chopping up the vegetables. By the time the chicken is finished with a quick marinating – just 10 to 15 minutes is fine – you can begin cooking and assembling the stir-fry. So easy! The chow mein sauce has layers of flavor thanks to the combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. The oyster sauce doesn’t make the chicken chow mein taste fishy in the slightest! It just adds that extra something-something that takes any copycat takeout recipe from good to GREAT! This is a flexible recipe that can be made with a variety of noodles, veggies, and protein. Open up your produce drawer, see what needs to be used up, and get cooking!
What Is Chicken Chow Mein?
Chicken chow mein is a popular Chinese recipe that’s made with stir-fried egg noodles, veggies, and a protein. Although chow mein features a rich stir-fry sauce, this isn’t a saucy dish per se. It’s a drier stir-fry with lots of contrasting textures in every bite. Between the chewy chow mein noodles and the stir-fried celery, cabbage, and carrots, every bite is exploding with flavor!
Chicken Chow Mein Ingredients
For such a flavorful dish, homemade chicken chow mein uses very simple ingredients. Gather the following to make the recipe.
For the chow mein sauce:
Soy sauce – I recommend lite or reduced sodium soy sauce. Coconut aminos is also fine. Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) Oyster sauce Rice wine vinegar Granulated sugar Sesame oil – If you are very sensitive to the flavor, you can cut this back to one teaspoon sesame oil, or two. We love it though and use 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) or even a bit more.
For the stir fry:
Chow mein noodles Boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into strips Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive) Garlic Green cabbage Matchstick carrots Celery Water Green onions
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
What Can I Substitute for Chow Mein Noodles?
Chow mein noodles are thin egg noodles that remain slightly chewy even after being boiled and stir-fried. This is what I recommend – with my runner up listed below. Note that if you use a substitute your finished Chinese chicken chow mein likely won’t have that same signature texture. The former are better as a crunchy garnish or topping but not something you want to use as the main noodle in the recipe. Want to just use ramen noodles? It’s fine! However, if you don’t order them online or can’t find chow mein noodles at your local grocery store or don’t want to make an extra trip to get them, you can also try:
Ramen noodles — The runner up and best substitute since they remain fairly chewy once stir-fried. Crack open 3 normal sized packages (about 3 ounces each) of cheapie ramen, discard the seasoning packets, and boil as directed to soften, and then stir them in to the cooked chicken and veggies for chow mein. It’s what I use and do in this 15-Minute Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry with Ramen Noodles recipe. Thin wheat somen noodles — The daintiest, skinniest, thinnest stir-fry noodle! Pad thai noodles — Are much wider and usually chewier than chow mein noodles. Also called flat rice noodles. If you’re craving Chicken Pad Thai, my recipe is incredible! Angel hair or thin spaghetti — These are Italian in origin, but will work in a pinch!
How to Make Chicken Chow Mein
The total time needed to make this easy better-than-takeout chicken chow mein is only about 35 minutes with approximately 15 minutes of cook time. Here’s an overview of how the recipe is prepared: For example, while the chicken marinades you can begin chopping the vegetables. While the chow mein noodles boil, you can begin sauteeing the chicken — and so on.
Storage Instructions
Leftover chicken chow mein will last up to 5 days in the fridge, noting that the noodles tend to dry out over time. I do NOT recommend freezing this recipe. The vegetables will become grainy and the noodles tough and rubbery if frozen.
What to Serve with Chicken Chow Mein
We love topping our homemade chicken chow mein with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, but you can pile on whatever toppings you like best! For a complete Asian-inspired feast, serve the chow mein with one or more of the following:
Fresh Spring Rolls Sheet Pan Orange Ginger Veggies Teriyaki Salad (omit the chicken) Mushroom Vegetable Soup Green Edamame Salad Fresh Cucumber Margarita
More Easy Asian Recipes:
Easy Hunan Beef — Skip the takeout and make this popular Chinese-inspired recipe at home! Hunan-style beef is spicy, sweet, tangy, and loaded with tender slices of beef and veggies. Best of all, it’s ready in just 40 minutes! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! 15-Minute Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry with Ramen Noodles — Don’t call for takeout when you can make this EASY Asian stir fry in minutes!! HEALTHIER and faster than takeout and great for busy weeknights!! Asian Pork Noodles — An EASY comfort food stir fry that’s ready in 20 minutes with so many textures and flavors in every bite! Juicy pork, tender noodles, crisp-tender veggies in a bath of sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and chili garlic sauce if you want to turn up the heat! Chicken Stir-Fry with Noodles — Skip takeout and make this EASY stir fry that’s ready in 15 minutes!! Loaded with juicy chicken, crisp-tender veggies, comforting noodles, and Asian-inspired flavors! Perfect for busy weeknights! Easy Sweet and Sour Asian Noodles — So much flavor in these easy noodles that are ready in 30 minutes! Plenty of vegetables add great crunch! You won’t miss takeout when homemade tastes way better and is healthier! Peanut Chicken with Peanut Noodles – Easy, ready in 20 minutes, tastes better, and way healthier than takeout! Peanut sauce automatically makes everything taste amazing! Skinny Broccoli and Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry – Skip takeout and make your own fast, easy, and healthy stir fry! Think of all the money and calories you’ll save! Chicken Egg Roll Bowls – Deconstructed egg roll bowls reduce the calories, fat, and carbs of traditional egg rolls without sacrificing flavor! Easy, ready in 15 minutes, and way better than takeout! Better-Than-Takeout Cashew Chicken – Juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and crunchy cashews coated with the best garlicky soy sauce! Skip takeout and make your own restaurant-quality meal that’s easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthier! Easy Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice – One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never want takeout again after tasting how good homemade is! Way more flavor, not greasy, and loads of juicy chicken! Easy Better-Than-Takeout Shrimp Fried Rice — One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never get takeout again!! Homemade tastes WAY BETTER!! Tons more flavor, not greasy, and loaded with tender shrimp!! Garlic Shrimp Stir-Fry — Made with juicy shrimp, crisp-tender veggies, and a homemade stir-fry sauce, this stir-fry is QUICK and EASY! It’s ready in just 25 minutes and tastes so much better than takeout! Serve the stir-fry with noodles or rice for a complete meal. P.F. Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps {Copycat Recipe} – Skip the restaurant version and make at home in 20 minutes! Easy, healthier because you’re controlling the ingredients, and they taste way better! Easy 15-Minute Sweet and Sour Chicken – Faster, easier, healthier, and tastes better than takeout or a restaurant! Perfect balance of sweet yet sour Asian flavors that the whole family will love! Mandarin Orange Chicken Stir-Fry — An easy Asian stir fry with tender chicken, juicy oranges, and veggies! Skip takeout and make this one skillet recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights! Thai Coconut Chicken Stir Fry – Chicken, sugar snap peas, bell peppers, and carrots simmered in a rich coconut milk broth that’s irresistible! Layers of flavor, easy, ready in 20 minutes and healthy!
