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Chicken Chow Mein Sauce

Category: Dinner Solutions You'll Love

35 minutes to a family favorite. Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and noodles topped with a rich, savory sauce. Serves 8, one pan!
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Hannah Author
Updated on Thu, 01 May 2025 17:16:50 GMT
Chicken Chow Mein Sauce and Veggies Save
Chicken Chow Mein Sauce and Veggies | recipesbyhannah.com

Juicy chicken meets crunchy noodles in this genuine Chinese classic that brings restaurant-worthy taste straight to your home. This DIY chow mein mixes properly prepared egg noodles with succulent chicken and fresh veggies, all wrapped in a deep, flavorful sauce that strikes just the right taste balance. Way better than ordering out, this single-pan dish lets you pick your own ingredients while still giving you all the comfort and joy of your beloved Chinese restaurant favorite.

When I finally got this sauce right at home, it changed everything. My kids couldn't believe we'd made such real Chinese flavors right in our kitchen. It's now what we make instead of calling for delivery, and we save money, cut down on calories, but still get that amazing taste we crave.

Outstanding Ingredients

  • Chow mein noodles: They need just the right cooking time for that special texture; try to find ones with wheat and egg
  • Fresh chicken breast: Cut it across the grain so it stays super tender
  • Vegetables: They should all be cut the same size so they cook evenly and feel right in your mouth
  • Light soy sauce: Adds salt without taking over all the other tastes
  • Oyster sauce: Gives that deep, rich flavor that makes chow mein taste like chow mein

Steps For Stir-Fry Victory

Making The Sauce:
Mix all sauce stuff until it looks smooth, making sure the cornstarch doesn't stay lumpy.
Getting Noodles Ready:
Don't cook them all the way through; they'll finish up in the sauce later.
Cooking The Chicken:
Brown those chicken bits until they look golden to make them taste amazing.
Handling Veggies:
Cook veggies fast so they stay crunchy and keep their bright colors.
Mixing With Sauce:
Toss everything together so sauce gets on all the bits equally.
Final Cook:
Let everything hang out together while the sauce gets thick and shiny.
Chicken Chow Mein with Best Chow Mein Sauce Recipe Save
Chicken Chow Mein with Best Chow Mein Sauce Recipe | recipesbyhannah.com

After trying to make this dish so many times, I've figured out that cooking things in the right order totally matters. One night I accidentally added the noodles last and let them get a bit crispy before mixing in the sauce. That happy mistake gave us the exact restaurant feel we'd been missing all along.

Tasty Side Dishes

Make your meal into a full Chinese feast by adding some crunchy spring rolls or hot dumplings on the side. A bit of simple garlicky broccoli goes really well with these noodles, and a bowl of hot and sour soup rounds everything out so nicely you won't miss your favorite restaurant at all.

Fun Twists To Try

Switch things up by using shrimp or thin slices of beef instead of chicken. Make it veggie-friendly with tofu and veggie stock in your sauce. Try throwing in different vegetables like bok choy, tiny corn, or water chestnuts for new textures and tastes. If you like it hot, splash in some fresh chili oil or squirt in some Sriracha.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

Put any extra chow mein in a container with a tight lid and keep it in your fridge for up to three days. When you want to eat it again, warm it gently in a wok or pan, and add a splash of water or chicken stock to wake up the sauce. The noodles soak up sauce overnight, so they might need a bit more liquid when you reheat them.

This chicken chow mein isn't just food in our family anymore - it's how we bring fancy Chinese cooking into our own kitchen while making fun memories around the stove. When the pan starts sizzling and that sauce smell fills the air, everyone always comes running to the kitchen, eager to watch everything come together.

Close-up Chicken Chow Mein with Best Chow Mein Sauce Save
Close-up Chicken Chow Mein with Best Chow Mein Sauce | recipesbyhannah.com

Recipe FAQs

→ What noodles work best for this?
Stick to yellow egg noodles. You’ll find them in the Asian section as ‘chow mein noodles.’
→ Can I change up the vegetables?
Of course! Crisp options like snap peas, celery, sprouts, or bell peppers are awesome.
→ Is this good to make ahead?
It’s best eaten fresh, but leftovers can chill in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just warm it up in a pan.
→ Any swaps for oyster sauce?
If you’re out, go for hoisin or mix soy sauce with a pinch of sugar. The taste will shift a bit, though.
→ Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Totally! Boneless thighs stay super juicy and are a great switch.

Homemade Chicken Chow Mein

Simple, tasty noodles with chicken, crisp veggies, and a savory sauce. So much better than ordering in!

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: Chinese

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Lactose-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 3 tablespoons of cooking oil
02 12 ounces of uncooked chow mein noodles
03 1 pound of chicken breast, skinless and boneless

→ Vegetables

04 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
05 1 big carrot, cut into thin strips
06 Half a bunch of green onions, sliced
07 2 cups of cabbage, finely shred

→ Sauce

08 Half a cup of chicken broth
09 3 tablespoons of light sesame oil
10 6 tablespoons of oyster sauce
11 1 tablespoon of white sugar
12 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
13 3 tablespoons of soy sauce (low sodium)

Directions

Step 01

Combine the sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, and oyster sauce in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and set aside.

Step 02

Prepare the chow mein noodles by cooking according to the instructions on the package. Drain, rinse with cool water, and set aside.

Step 03

Cut the chicken into strips. Heat a pan with oil on medium heat and cook the chicken until it’s golden. Take it out and set it aside.

Step 04

In the same pan, toss in your cabbage, carrot strips, and garlic. Stir until everything softens a bit and the cabbage loses its raw crunch.

Step 05

Add your cooked chicken and noodles back into the veggie pan. Pour in the prepped sauce and stir it all together. Heat for about 2 minutes until everything’s blended and hot.

Step 06

Sprinkle the green onions over the top and dish it out straight from the pan while it’s still warm.

Notes

  1. If you're using pre-cooked chow mein noodles, you'll need about 1 pound of them.
  2. Go with regular sesame oil, not toasted, for a lighter flavor.

Required Equipment

  • A large wok or a deep frying pan
  • One small bowl for mixing
  • A whisk for blending the sauce
  • A colander or sieve to drain noodles

Allergen Information

Check all ingredients for potential allergens and consult a medical professional if uncertain.
  • Wheat is present due to the chow mein noodles.
  • Soy is included (soy sauce).

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are for reference only and shouldn't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 340
  • Fats: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Proteins: 23 g