Chicken Lo Mein is a classic takeout dish that's beloved for its simplicity and flavor. This easy recipe captures the essence of this popular stir-fry, allowing you to recreate that restaurant-quality taste in your own kitchen.
Thinly sliced chicken is stir-fried with colorful vegetables and tossed in a savory sauce with perfectly cooked noodles.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
In less than 30 minutes, you can have a satisfying and flavorful meal on the table, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, protein options, and sauce variations to create your perfect Lo Mein.
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: Skip the takeout and enjoy the satisfaction of creating a delicious and healthy stir-fry dish in your own kitchen.
- Family-Friendly: This crowd-pleasing recipe is sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike.
Ingredients You'll Need
For this recipe, you'll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin), lo mein noodles or spaghetti noodles, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, vegetables (such as sliced cabbage, small broccoli florets, julienned carrots, red bell pepper, and snow peas).
- Chicken breast, sliced thin
- Peanut oil (or canola oil)
- Red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- Onion, sliced
- Cabbage, sliced
- Carrot, julienned
- Ginger, ground
- Garlic powder
- Water or chicken broth
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Sesame oil
- Spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package directions
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein is a classic Cantonese dish that has become a staple in takeout menus worldwide. While there are many variations, it typically features stir-fried noodles, protein (often chicken, shrimp, or tofu), and vegetables in a flavorful sauce.
This recipe offers a basic yet customizable approach, making it a great foundation for exploring different flavor profiles and ingredients.
Prepare Vegetables, Noodles, and Saute The Chicken
- Heat a large (12 inch) skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and the chicken breast to the skillet.
- Brown the sliced chicken breast until cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and keep it warm.
- Add the remaining oil to the skillet with the bell pepper and onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the carrots and cabbage.
Make The Sauce
- In a jar or bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce: ginger, garlic, water or chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
- Pour the sauce over the vegetables and toss to coat.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked spaghetti noodles. Toss to coat in the sauce, cooking for about 2 additional minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken Lo Mein on its own for a light and satisfying meal. Pair it with steamed white rice or brown rice for a more filling meal. Add your favorite Asian-inspired appetizers, like dumplings or spring rolls as extra sides.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- While chicken is traditional, feel free to substitute with shrimp, tofu, or other protein of your choice.
- Don't have the listed vegetables? Use what you have on hand! Snap peas, green beans, baby corn, or water chestnuts would all work well.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder to the stir-fry for a touch of heat.
- For a sweeter sauce, add a tablespoon of brown sugar or honey. For a thicker sauce, add a cornstarch slurry (mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water) and cook until the sauce thickens.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making Chicken Lo Mein:
- Marinating helps tenderize the chicken and infuse it with flavor. Don't skip this step!
- Stir-fries cook quickly over high heat. Avoid overcooking the vegetables or chicken, as they will become mushy.
- Pre-cook the noodles according to package instructions and drain thoroughly. This will prevent them from becoming soggy in the stir-fry.
Related Recipes
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Crockpot Soy Garlic Chicken
- Kasha Varnishkes with Mushrooms and Kale
- Moo Ping (Thai Pork Skewers)
- Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin Medallions
- Blackstone Beef Teppanyaki
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
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Storage and Reheating
- Leftover Chicken Lo Mein can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Be aware that the noodles may absorb more moisture upon reheating, so you may want to add a splash of water or broth to loosen them up.
- Chicken Lo Mein can also be frozen for longer storage. Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lo mein noodles are the traditional choice for this dish. Regular spaghetti noodles will work great as well.
Both dishes are stir-fries with noodles and vegetables, but they use different types of noodles. Lo mein uses egg noodles, while chow mein typically uses thicker wheat noodles. Lo mein also tends to have a slightly saucier texture compared to chow mein.
More Delish Ideas
Chicken Lo Mein
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast sliced thin
- 2 tablespoon peanut oil or canola oil
- 1 large red bell pepper seeded and sliced
- 1 small onion sliced
- ½ cup cabbage sliced
- 1 large carrots julienned
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ cup water or chicken broth
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- Heat a large (12 inch) skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and the chicken breast to the skillet. Brown the sliced chicken breast until cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and keep it warm.
- Add the remaining oil to the skillet with the bell pepper and onion. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the carrots and cabbage.
- In a jar or bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce: ginger, garlic, water or chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and toss to coat.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked spaghetti noodles. Toss to coat in the sauce, cooking for about 2 additional minutes.
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