Name: Quick & Easy Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs (thinly sliced); 2 tbsp regular soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 3 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir fry sauce); 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or Dry Sherry wine or chicken stock); 2 tsp sesame oil; 1 tsp white granulated sugar; 1/4 tsp white pepper (or black pepper); 2 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch); 4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced); 1/2 cup chicken stock (low-sodium); 2 tsp regular soy sauce; 1 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch); 2 tsp water (cold); 1 lb chow mein noodles (fresh kind); 2 cups mung bean sprouts (washed and strained, or soy bean sprouts); 2 cups cabbage (thinly sliced); 1 cup celery (thinly sliced); 1 cup carrot (julienned); 2 green onion (chopped into 1-inch pieces); 2 tsp vegetable oil (or any neutral tasting oil)

Ingredients

1 lb chow mein noodles (fresh kind)

1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs (thinly sliced)

2 cups mung bean sprouts (washed and strained, or soy bean sprouts)

2 cups cabbage (thinly sliced)

1 cup celery (thinly sliced)

1 cup carrot (julienned)

2 green onions (chopped into 1-inch pieces)

2 tsp vegetable oil (or any neutral tasting oil)

2 tbsp regular soy sauce

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

3 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir fry sauce)

2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or Dry Sherry wine or chicken stock)

2 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp white granulated sugar

1/4 tsp white pepper (or black pepper)

2 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch)

4 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)

1/2 cup chicken stock (low-sodium)

2 tsp regular soy sauce

1 tsp cornstarch (or potato starch)

2 tsp water (cold)

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the sliced chicken with 2 tbsp regular soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 tsp white pepper, 2 tsp cornstarch, and sliced garlic. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup chicken stock, 2 tsp regular soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tsp cold water to make the noodle sauce. Set aside.

Step 3: Soak the chow mein noodles in hot boiling water for 10 to 15 seconds or just until loosened. Drain and set aside.

Step 4: Heat 1 tsp vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the marinated chicken until about 75% cooked, then push the chicken to one side.

Step 5: Add the carrots, celery, and cabbage to the pan. Stir-fry until the vegetables soften. Push the mixture to one side again.

Step 6: Add the remaining 1 tsp vegetable oil into the empty space. Toss in the soaked noodles with the prepared noodle sauce. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until noodles are coated in sauce.

Step 7: Add the bean sprouts and green onions. Stir-fry for another 10 seconds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a splash of toasted sesame oil just before serving.

Substitute chicken thighs with thinly sliced beef or tofu for a different protein.

If fresh chow mein noodles aren’t available, dried noodles can be used but soak them according to package instructions.

Add a pinch of chili flakes or fresh sliced chili for a spicy kick.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?

Yes, feel free to substitute or add vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms to suit your taste and what you have on hand.

What type of noodles work best for chow mein?

Fresh chow mein noodles are ideal for this recipe as they have the right texture and cook quickly. However, you can use dried noodles if soaked properly beforehand.