Savory chicken, crisp veggies, and tender noodles tossed in a flavorful homemade chow mein sauce.
This quick stir-fry satisfies takeout cravings with simple ingredients and big taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Authentic flavor — rich oyster and soy sauce blend with sesame oil and ginger.
Quick wok magic — ready in under 30 minutes for fast weeknight dinners.
Balanced texture — tender chicken, crunchy cabbage, and al dente noodles.
Customizable — add bean sprouts or swap proteins as you like.
One-pan cleanup — stir-fry everything in a single wok or skillet.
What You’ll Need (Ingredient Highlights)
Refrigerated noodles — yakisoba or chow mein noodles for easy prep.
Chicken breast — lean protein seasoned and seared.
Cabbage, carrots, celery — a colorful veggie medley.
Garlic & ginger — aromatic staples for depth of flavor.
Chow mein sauce — oyster sauce, soy, sesame oil, vinegar, and sugar.
Pro Tips Before You Start
Pat chicken dry before searing to get a golden crust.
Cut veggies into uniform thin strips for even cooking.
Keep heat high and stir constantly to preserve crunch.
Toss noodles with sauce off the heat to prevent overcooking.
How to Make Chicken Chow Mein
Step 1: Whisk the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, cornstarch, brown sugar, and chili sauce if using. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat oil in a wok over high heat.
Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to hot wok, and sauté until cooked through.
Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry Veggies
Add more oil, then stir-fry cabbage, carrot, celery, and white parts of green onions for 1–2 minutes.
Add garlic and ginger; cook 30 seconds and remove veggies.
Step 4: Noodles & Sauce
Add remaining oil, then noodles; stir 1 minute.
Pour in sauce and toss to coat noodles evenly.
Step 5: Combine & Finish
Return chicken and veggies to wok along with bean sprouts and green onion tops.
Toss until everything is heated through.
What to Serve It With
Steamed white rice or fried rice for a complete meal.
Egg rolls or potstickers for a party spread.
A side of hot and sour soup to start.
Variations & Substitutions
Swap chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu.
Use broccoli or snow peas instead of cabbage.
Add a drizzle of chili oil for extra heat.
Storage & Leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet to retain noodle texture.
FAQs
Can I use dried noodles?
Yes — cook according to package, then drain before stir-frying.
Is bean sprouts mandatory?
They add crunch, but you can omit or substitute with bell peppers.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Increase cornstarch slurry by ½ teaspoon if you prefer a thicker coat.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce alternatives.
Why did my noodles clump?
Toss with a little oil before cooking and separate strands gently.
How spicy is it?
Mild by default; add more chili sauce or flakes for heat.
Can I prep ingredients ahead?
Yes — chop veggies and mix sauce up to a day before cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Chow Mein brings wok-tossed goodness to your kitchen with minimal effort. Customize it your way and enjoy vibrant flavors tonight!
Easy Chicken Chow Mein
Ingredients
- 400 g refrigerated yakisoba or chow mein noodles
- 450 g chicken breast cut into strips
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil divided
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 large carrot shredded
- 2 celery ribs sliced
- 4 green onions whites and greens separated
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp grated ginger
- 1 cup bean sprouts optional
Chow Mein Sauce
- 60 ml oyster sauce
- 80 ml low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 –2 tsp Asian garlic chili sauce optional
Instructions
- Whisk sauce ingredients; set aside.
- Sauté chicken in 1 Tbsp oil until cooked; remove.
- Stir-fry veggies in 1 Tbsp oil; remove.
- Cook noodles in 1 Tbsp oil; add sauce and toss.
- Return chicken and veggies; add sprouts; toss until heated.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/chicken-chow-mein/
Notes
- Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu for variation.
- Yakisoba noodles can be replaced with spaghetti or ramen in a pinch.
- For extra crispness, don’t overcrowd the pan when stir-frying veggies.
