Tender chicken pieces and soft noodles are stir-fried with fresh vegetables in a savory sauce in this Chicken Lo Mein recipe. It’s a quick and delicious meal that brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your kitchen.

Growing up, having Chinese takeout was always a special treat. Usually, my mom would bring home our favorite dishes for dinner. One of the things I love about this Chicken Lo Mein recipe is how it captures those beloved flavors and is so versatile.

Not only does it taste just like the takeout I remember, but it’s also super quick and easy to make at home. Made of tender chicken, soft noodles, and a mix of fresh vegetables, it’s a complete meal that comes together in no time.

If I served it with crispy egg rolls and a side of steamed dumplings, everyone would love it. Try this recipe for yourself and enjoy a delicious homemade version of your favorite takeout!

What is Chicken lo mein?

Chicken Lo Mein is a popular Chinese dish made with stir-fried noodles, chicken, and a mix of vegetables. The dish features soft, cooked noodles tossed in a savory sauce, often made with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. It’s known for its rich flavor and is commonly served as a main course in Chinese restaurants and enjoyed at home.

Ingredients

• 8 oz lo mein noodles
• 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup onion, sliced
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced (red, yellow, or green)
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup snap peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

How to make Chicken lo mein

Step 1:

Cook the Noodles: Boil the lo mein noodles according to the instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2:

Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and the cornstarch mixture. Set aside.

Step 3:

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 fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4:

Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the onion, bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Step 5:

Add Garlic and Ginger: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the vegetables, stir-frying for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6:

Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat everything evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 7:

Add Noodles: Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet, tossing to combine with the chicken, vegetables, and sauce.

Step 8:

Serve: Serve hot, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Recipe tips

• When boiling the lo mein noodles, cook them until just al dente. This prevents them from becoming too soft when stir-fried with the sauce.

• Stir-frying is best done at high heat to quickly cook the ingredients while keeping the vegetables crisp and the chicken juicy.

• Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. Stir-frying happens quickly, so everything should be within reach.

• If your skillet or wok is too crowded, the ingredients will steam rather than stir-fry. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure everything gets a nice sear.

• Adjust the sauce to your taste by adding more soy sauce for saltiness, hoisin sauce for sweetness, or sesame oil for nuttiness.

• Start by cooking the firmer vegetables like carrots and bell peppers, then add softer vegetables like snap peas or mushrooms towards the end to avoid overcooking.

What to pair with Chicken lo mein

You can make your Chicken Lo Mein even better by adding a few simple side dishes. Try serving it with crispy egg rolls or spring rolls for a nice crunch. A bowl of hot and sour soup or some steamed dumplings can also add extra flavor to your meal.

If you want more vegetables, stir-fried broccoli or bok choy goes well with the noodles. A light cucumber salad adds a refreshing touch, while fried rice makes the meal heartier. For something sweet and savory, you can also serve sesame chicken alongside your lo mein.

How to store

To store Chicken Lo Mein, place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. The lo mein will stay fresh for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, simply reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or the microwave until warmed through. If the noodles seem a bit dry, you can add a splash of water or soy sauce while reheating to restore moisture and flavor.

Le mein variations

• Vegetable Lo Mein: Skip the meat and load up on your favorite veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas for a healthy, colorful dish.

• Beef Lo Mein: Substitute chicken with thinly sliced beef, such as flank steak or sirloin, for a heartier version with rich, savory flavors.

• Shrimp Lo Mein: Add cooked shrimp to the dish for a seafood twist. The shrimp pairs well with the soy-based sauce and adds a light, fresh taste.

• Spicy Lo Mein: Turn up the heat by adding chili sauce, Sriracha, or red pepper flakes to the sauce. This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice in their meals.

• Tofu Lo Mein: Replace the meat with tofu for a vegetarian-friendly option. Use firm tofu, and pan-fry it until crispy before adding it to the lo mein.

FAQ

What kind of noodles are used in Lo Mein?

• Lo Mein typically uses soft, thick egg noodles, but you can also use spaghetti or other similar pasta if egg noodles aren’t available.

Can I use other meats besides chicken?

• Yes, you can substitute the chicken with beef, shrimp, pork, or tofu to suit your preferences.

Is Lo Mein the same as Chow Mein?

• No, Lo Mein uses soft, boiled noodles, while Chow Mein uses crispy, fried noodles. The cooking method and texture differ between the two.

Can I make Lo Mein gluten-free?

• Yes, use gluten-free noodles and a gluten-free soy sauce to make this dish suitable for a gluten-free diet.

What vegetables can I add to Lo Mein?

• Common vegetables include bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, broccoli, and mushrooms, but you can add any veggies you like.

How do I prevent my Lo Mein noodles from getting soggy?

• Cook the noodles al dente and avoid overloading the pan when stir-frying. Stir-fry in batches if needed to keep the noodles firm.

Conclusion

This Chicken Lo Mein is an easy and tasty dish that’s great for any meal. With tender chicken, flavorful noodles, and fresh vegetables, it’s sure to please everyone. You can follow the classic recipe or try different variations to suit your taste. It’s a simple way to make a delicious meal at home.

Chicken lo mein

Recipe by Wasian CookeryCourse: MainCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Tender chicken pieces and soft noodles are stir-fried with fresh vegetables in a savory sauce in this Chicken Lo Mein recipe. It’s a quick and delicious meal that brings the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 8 oz lo mein noodles

• 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup onion, sliced

• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced (red, yellow, or green)

• 1 cup carrots, julienned

• 1 cup snap peas

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced

• For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Directions

• Cook the Noodles: Boil the lo mein noodles according to the instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and the cornstarch mixture. 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 fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the onion, bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Add Garlic and Ginger: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the vegetables, stir-frying for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
• Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat everything evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Add Noodles: Add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet, tossing to combine with the chicken, vegetables, and sauce.
• Serve: Serve hot, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

• When boiling the lo mein noodles, cook them until just al dente. This prevents them from becoming too soft when stir-fried with the sauce.