Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Quick & Savory Chicken Lo Mein Recipe That Always Impresses

Whipping up a delectable chicken lo mein brings pure comfort straight to your dinner table.

Noodles dancing with tender meat create a symphony of flavors that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Authentic Chinese cuisine meets home cooking simplicity in this irresistible dish.

Home chefs can easily master these savory techniques without complicated steps.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of vegetables, protein, and perfectly seasoned sauce.

Crisp ingredients and quick wok skills turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to share this crowd-pleasing recipe with everyone you know.

Why Chicken Lo Mein Is A Quick Go-To

  • Quick Culinary Adventure: Transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal without complicated techniques or specialized skills.
  • Color and Crunch Celebration: Enjoy a vibrant dish packed with julienned vegetables that deliver incredible texture and fresh nutrition in every single bite.
  • Flavor-Packed Performance: Experience an authentic Asian-inspired recipe featuring a complex marinade that infuses chicken with deep, rich umami notes through strategic seasoning techniques.
  • Versatile Meal Magic: Customize this stir-fry by swapping proteins, adding different vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to match personal preferences and pantry availability.

Ingredients List For Chicken Lo Mein

For the Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: High-quality meat cuts sliced into thin strips for quick and even cooking.
For the Noodles:
  • Lo Mein Noodles: Traditional Chinese wheat noodles that provide a soft and chewy base for the stir-fry.
For the Vegetables:
  • Cabbage, Carrots, Bell Peppers, Green Onions: Colorful vegetable medley that adds crunch, nutrition, and visual appeal to the dish.
For the Sauce and Seasonings:
  • Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Sesame Oil: Classic Asian condiments that create a rich, umami-packed flavor profile.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide depth and traditional Asian culinary essence.
  • White Pepper, Sugar: Seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste of the dish.
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid component that helps create a smooth and flavorful sauce.
For the Cooking Medium:
  • Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil used for high-heat stir-frying that ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.

How To Make Chicken Lo Mein Easily

Step 1: Prep Protein and Veggies

Slice chicken breasts and thighs into thin, uniform strips. Julienne cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and green onions to create a vibrant vegetable mix.

Step 2: Whip Up Flavor Bomb Sauce

Mix together in a bowl:
  • Soy sauce
  • Oyster sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Minced garlic
  • Ginger
  • White pepper
  • Sugar
  • Chicken broth

Step 3: Marinate Chicken

Pour half the sauce over chicken strips and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to seep into the meat.

Step 4: Fire Up the Wok

Heat vegetable oil in a large wok until it shimmers and nearly smokes, signaling perfect cooking heat.

Step 5: Sizzle the Chicken

Quickly stir-fry marinated chicken strips for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 6: Dance the Veggie Stir-Fry

Rapidly sauté mixed vegetables for 2-3 minutes, keeping them crisp and colorful.

Step 7: Noodle Magic

Toss lo mein noodles into the wok, mixing with remaining sauce and adding cooked chicken and vegetables.

Step 8: Final Flavor Fusion

Stir and toss for 2 more minutes, ensuring everything is evenly heated and perfectly blended.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with reserved green onions and serve immediately while steaming hot, celebrating the dish’s dynamic textures and bold flavors.

Simple Tips For Chicken Lo Mein

  • Slice Precisely: Cut chicken into uniform, thin strips for consistent cooking and faster heat absorption, ensuring each piece is tender and flavorful.
  • Prep Veggies Smartly: Julienne vegetables into thin, even strips to create a vibrant and textured mix that cooks quickly and looks appetizing.
  • Master the Marinade: Blend soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, white pepper, sugar, and chicken broth to develop a deep, complex flavor profile that infuses the chicken.
  • Wok Temperature Matters: Heat oil until it shimmers and nearly smokes, creating the perfect high-heat environment for quick, searing stir-fry that locks in juices and creates a delicious golden-brown exterior.

Fun Twists On Chicken Lo Mein

  • Vegetarian Stir-Fry: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, pressing and cutting into uniform strips. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional lo mein noodles with rice noodles or zucchini noodles. Use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce to ensure gluten-free preparation.
  • Spicy Protein Variation: Add sriracha or chili oil to marinade for extra heat. Include sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes during vegetable sautéing to boost spiciness.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute noodles with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables like spaghetti squash. Use fewer sugary ingredients in marinade and focus on high-protein ingredients.

What Goes Well With Chicken Lo Mein

  • Pair Zesty Asian Chicken Lo Mein with Crisp White Wine: A light, refreshing Pinot Grigio cuts through the dish's rich, savory flavors, balancing the soy sauce and sesame oil with its bright acidity.
  • Complement Spicy Noodles with Cold Asian Beer: A chilled Sapporo or Tsingtao provides a crisp, clean counterpoint to the lo mein's complex spices, refreshing the palate between bites.
  • Enhance Umami Depth with Green Tea: A hot, slightly bitter sencha or genmaicha tea amplifies the dish's umami notes, creating a harmonious taste experience that highlights the chicken and vegetable nuances.

How To Keep Chicken Lo Mein Fresh

  • Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the lo mein fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Pack cooled lo mein in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn, and store for up to 2 months.
  • Place portion in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few tablespoons water to prevent drying, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Revive lo mein in a hot wok or skillet with a splash of oil, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes until heated thoroughly, restoring original texture and warmth.

FAQs For Chicken Lo Mein

  • Why is uniform slicing of chicken important?

Uniform slicing ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked, resulting in consistent texture and flavor throughout the dish.

  • What makes the marinade so special?

The marinade combines multiple Asian condiments like soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil, which create a complex, umami-rich flavor profile that deeply penetrates the chicken.

  • Why use high heat when stir-frying?

High heat allows for quick cooking that preserves vegetables’ crispness and creates a slight caramelization on meat, developing a richer taste and preventing soggy ingredients.

  • How do I know when chicken is properly cooked?

Look for golden brown exterior, no pink inside, and an internal temperature of 165°F, which ensures the chicken is safe to eat while maintaining its juiciness.

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Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Chicken Lo Mein Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savor a delightful culinary journey through Chinese-inspired chicken lo mein, where tender noodles dance with crisp vegetables and succulent chicken. Saucy, aromatic strands promise a quick, satisfying meal that whisks you straight to comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 12 oz chicken breast
  • 1 lb chicken thighs

Noodles and Vegetables:

  • 16 oz lo mein noodles
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 cup sliced bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions

Seasonings and Sauces:

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Slice chicken breasts and thighs into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking and quick heat absorption.
  2. Prepare all vegetables by julienning cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and green onions, creating a colorful and textured vegetable medley.
  3. Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, white pepper, sugar, and chicken broth in a small bowl to create a robust, aromatic marinade.
  4. Marinate chicken strips in half of the prepared sauce mixture for 15 minutes at room temperature, allowing flavors to penetrate the meat.
  5. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until it shimmers and nearly smokes, indicating optimal cooking temperature.
  6. Quickly stir-fry marinated chicken strips for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, then transfer to a separate plate.
  7. In the same wok, rapidly sauté mixed vegetables for 2-3 minutes, maintaining their crisp texture and vibrant colors.
  8. Add lo mein noodles to the wok, tossing with remaining sauce and incorporating cooked chicken and vegetables.
  9. Continue stirring and tossing for an additional 2 minutes to ensure even heat distribution and complete flavor melding.
  10. Garnish with reserved green onions and serve immediately while piping hot, capturing the dish’s dynamic textures and intense flavors.

Notes

  • Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
  • Prep vegetables ahead of time to streamline cooking process and maintain crisp texture during quick stir-frying.
  • Consider using low-sodium soy sauce for health-conscious diners or those monitoring salt intake.
  • Experiment with protein alternatives like tofu, shrimp, or beef for diverse dietary preferences and flavor variations.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Stir-frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 580
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 980 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 74 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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