Chow Mein Noodles

These Chow Mein Noodles are so savory and flavor-packed that they’ll have you tossing takeout menus for good. Read on for a simple guide to making amazing, restaurant-quality stir-fried noodles in your own kitchen that easily rival Chinese takeout.

Chicken chow mein is a popular Chinese stir-fry dish that combines thinly sliced chicken with chow mein noodles and a variety of vegetables like onions, cabbage, and carrots. The ingredients are quickly cooked over high heat and typically tossed in a savory sauce made from soy sauce, chicken broth, and other seasonings. The result is a flavorful, texture-rich dish that’s totally craveable.

Gather What You Need

Ingredients for Chow Mein Noodles

Chicken breasts: Quick-cooking and lean, perfect for stir-fry.
Soy sauce: The foundation for that familiar, savory taste. Using half light soy sauce and half dark soy sauce will give you more color if you stock both.
Cornstarch: Not just a thickener—it tenderizes the chicken.
Chow mein noodles: Special wheat and egg noodles with a unique texture, found at your local Asian market or regular grocery store.
Vegetable oil: Ideal for high-heat cooking like stir-frying.
Onion, cabbage, and carrots: A vegetable medley for crunch and color.
Garlic: A quick sauté brings out its fragrant flavor.
Chicken broth: Deepens the sauce while helping the veggies cook. We aren’t adding salt to the dish, so don’t use low sodium. 
Green onions: AKA spring onions, this adds a finishing touch for color and freshness.

Variations and Substitutions

Switch it up with some of these options:

Protein: Substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, pork or tofu.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free chow mein noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
Veggies: Feel free to add or substitute veggies like celery, water chestnuts, snow peas, bok choy, bell peppers, mushrooms, or fresh bean sprouts.
Spice it up: Saute in some minced fresh ginger along with the garlic, and/or add some white pepper or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Flavor Boost: If you have them on hand, a splash of Chinese cooking wine and/or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil in the sauce elevate the dish. Sesame seeds sprinkled on top are also nice.

How are Chow Mein Noodles Different From Other Noodles at the Grocery Store?

Chow mein noodles are Chinese egg noodles made from wheat flour, with a firm and slightly chewy texture ideal for stir-frying. They are special because they are able to withstand the high heat of stir-frying without becoming mushy or falling apart, a quality not shared by all types of noodles.

They come in various sizes and shapes but are typically thin and long. While they can be found fresh or dried, using fresh egg noodles will enhance your chow mein.

You can find them at your local Asian grocery store and at most other supermarkets you’ll find them in the Asian food aisle. They may be sold fresh or dried. The fresh ones usually need to be used within a few days of purchase and are generally found in the refrigerator section. Dried ones have a longer shelf life and can be stored in your pantry.

How to Make this Easy Chow Mein Recipe: Simple Step-by-Step Directions

Ready to wok and roll? (Sorry/not sorry.) Your ultimate chow mein noodles are just a stir-fry away! Follow these directions to achieve that takeout-level goodness. All you need is a wok or a large skillet, some tongs, a pot for boiling the noodles, and a sharp knife:

Marinate: Toss chicken, soy sauce, and cornstarch; set aside.
Cook Noodles: Boil briefly, rinse in cold water, drain.
Chicken: Stir fry in hot oil; set aside.

Vegetables: Same wok, stir-fry until tender-crisp.
Chow Mein sauce: Add chicken broth, oyster sauce, and reserved marinade.
Combine: Mix in noodles and chicken; heat through.
Garnish: Add chopped green onions for a burst of color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Looking to prep in advance or keep leftovers fresh? Here are your options:

Refrigerate: Chow Mein stores well in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Freeze: Freeze individual portions in airtight containers. Reheat in the microwave or in a wok.
Meal Prep: Prepare the chicken marinade and chop the veggies ahead of time for quicker cooking.

5 Common Mistakes People Make When Cooking Chow Mein at Home

Overcooking the Noodles: One of the most common mistakes is overcooking the chow mein noodles, leaving them mushy rather than al dente. The key is to cook them until they’re still quite firm, as they’ll continue cooking when you add them to the stir-fry.
Using the Wrong Oil: The type of oil you use can greatly affect the outcome. It’s essential to use oils with a high smoke point, like vegetable or peanut oil, to withstand the high heat required for stir-frying.
Overcrowding the Pan: Adding too many ingredients at once can lower the pan’s temperature, resulting in steamed rather than stir-fried ingredients. Work in batches if necessary to maintain that high heat.
Ignoring the Marinade: Some people skip marinating the meat but marinating even for 10 minutes helps flavor the meat, making for a tastier dish. Cornstarch in the marinade forms a protective barrier around the meat, trapping juices inside and preventing them from evaporating during cooking. This leads to juicier, more flavorful meat.
Chopping as you Go: Stir-frying is a quick process, and once you start, there’s no time to chop vegetables or measure sauces. A stir fry is one dish where a mise-en-place is super important. Failing to prepare all your ingredients in advance can result in a soggy chow mein.

Notes, Pro Tips, and Science-Based Secrets

High heat: Cooking on high heat ensures crispy, not soggy, vegetables.
Do not overcrowd: Stir-fry in batches to maintain the heat of the wok.
Fresh noodles: If you can find them, fresh chow mein noodles take this dish to the next level. They’re often found in the grocery store with the vegetables.
The cornstarch trick: Cornstarch forms a protective barrier around the meat, reducing the amount of moisture that is lost when the meat is exposed to heat. This shield essentially ‘traps’ juices inside the meat, preventing them from evaporating during cooking.
To make crispy noodles: You just need to par-boil them and then fry them separately until crisp rather than boiling them and adding them directly to the stir fry. Here’s what to do. Details are in the note section of the recipe card below.

How to Serve This Chicken Chow Mein Recipe

While this chow mein stands strong on its own, it pairs wonderfully with appetizers like spring rolls. For a balanced meal, add a side of steamed bok choy or snow peas.

FAQs

More Chinese Takeout Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of quick and easy Chinese takeout dishes, you simply can’t miss out on these recipes:

Hunan Shrimp: This Chinese shrimp recipe features a spicy, garlicky sauce that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
Garlic Ginger Chicken: The ultimate comfort food, with fall-off-the-bone tender chicken smothered in a sweet and sticky garlic honey ginger sauce.
Orange Chicken: A beloved Chinese-American staple, this orange chicken boasts crispy chicken coated in a tangy and sweet orange sauce.
Chili Oil Ramen: Hearty and flavorful ramen recipe featuring a rich and spicy homemade chili oil that will warm you right up.
Honey Garlic Chicken: This easy and delicious chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser, with juicy chicken drenched in a sticky honey garlic sauce.

Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD