Did you know Americans spend over $50 billion on takeout Chinese food each year? That’s about $170 per person annually! But, making restaurant-style dishes at home is much cheaper. I’m excited to share this quick and tasty chicken lo mein recipe. It’s so good, you’ll forget about takeout. The dish is simple: tender chicken, crisp veggies, and noodles in a yummy sauce.

Once a delivery app user, I now prefer making this dish at home. It tastes better, and you know what’s in it. No hidden additives or too much salt! This best chicken lo mein recipe is perfect for a quick dinner or impressing guests. The best part? You likely have most ingredients already.

Ready to cook? Jump to recipe or keep reading for tips on making it restaurant style at home.

Chicken Lo Mein: A Delicious and Quick Weeknight Meal

Don’t order takeout. Try this quick chicken lo mein recipe instead. It has tender chicken, fresh veggies, and yummy noodles. It’s a fast way to enjoy Chinese food at home.

Lo mein is great because you can add any veggies you have. It’s perfect for using up leftovers. The mix of sauce, chicken, and noodles is loved by all.

This recipe is easy to make. You need just a pan, basic ingredients, and 30 minutes. It’s healthier and cheaper than eating out.

What is Chicken Lo Mein?

Chicken lo mein is a Chinese dish with egg noodles, chicken, veggies, and sauce. “Lo mein” means “tossed noodles” in Cantonese. It’s a simple yet tasty dish.

Lo mein noodles are boiled and then tossed with ingredients and sauce. This makes them soft but chewy. It’s a key part of the dish’s appeal.

The sauce for chicken lo mein has soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. These ingredients create a rich, savory flavor.

This dish is loved for its mix of textures and tastes. You get tender chicken, crunchy veggies, chewy noodles, and a sweet sauce. It’s a comforting meal that’s not too heavy.

Difference Between Lo Mein and Chow Mein

Many people confuse lo mein and chow mein. They both use egg noodles but are prepared differently.

The main difference is in how the noodles are cooked:

• Lo Mein: Noodles are boiled and then tossed with ingredients and sauce. This makes the sauce cling to the noodles.
• Chow Mein: Noodles are stir-fried until they’re slightly crispy. This adds a crunchy texture.

In American Chinese restaurants, chow mein has thinner noodles. Lo mein has thicker noodles. Chow mein sauce is lighter, while lo mein sauce is more abundant.

Here’s a quick comparison of these popular noodle dishes:

Feature	Lo Mein	Chow Mein
Cooking Method	Boiled then tossed	Stir-fried
Noodle Texture	Soft and chewy	Crispy edges
Sauce Amount	More sauce	Less sauce
Noodle Type	Thicker egg noodles	Thinner egg noodles

Both dishes are tasty, but lo mein is better for a saucier, chewier noodle. This chicken lo mein recipe is easy to make and tastes like a restaurant dish.

Ready to try this stir fry classic? You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make authentic flavors at home. The next section will cover the lo mein sauce recipe that makes this dish a hit!

Ingredients for the Perfect Chicken Lo Mein

Creating authentic chicken lo mein starts with the right ingredients. These ingredients should bring flavor and texture to your dish. Most of these items are easy to find, so you won’t need to search for hard-to-find items.

Preparing all ingredients before cooking makes the process easier. This way, your dish comes together quickly. Having everything ready to go is key to a successful meal.

Chicken Lo Mein Sauce

The sauce is what makes chicken lo mein special. A balanced lo mein sauce recipe combines savory, sweet, and umami flavors. These flavors coat every noodle and ingredient perfectly.

My favorite sauce uses light soy sauce for saltiness and dark soy sauce for color and depth. A tablespoon of oyster sauce adds amazing umami flavor. It doesn’t taste fishy at all!

A bit of brown sugar balances the saltiness with sweetness. Sesame oil adds a nutty aroma that’s a hallmark of Chinese cuisine. For some heat, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes.

Whisk all sauce ingredients together in a bowl before cooking. This lets the flavors mix while you prepare the other parts. When you add it to hot noodles and ingredients, the sauce makes the dish glossy and appealing.

Best Noodles for Authentic Lo Mein

Choosing the right noodles is essential for authentic chicken lo mein. Traditional lo mein noodles are made from wheat flour and eggs. They have a rich yellow color and a chewy texture that holds up well to the sauce.

Look for “lo mein noodles,” “Chinese egg noodles,” or “Hokkien noodles” in the international aisle. These noodles come fresh or dried. Fresh noodles cook quickly and have the best texture, but dried ones work well too.

Cook your noodles until they’re al dente – still slightly firm. Overcooked noodles become mushy. Rinse them briefly with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.

If you can’t find specific lo mein noodles, Japanese ramen noodles or linguine pasta can be substitutes. They won’t be the same, but they’ll still taste great.

Vegetables and Protein Options

Chicken lo mein is versatile. You can use boneless skinless chicken breast or try other proteins like chicken thighs, beef, shrimp, tofu, or make it vegetarian.

For chicken, slice the meat into thin, even sized pieces for quick and even cooking. A quick marinade with cornstarch, soy sauce, and oil makes the meat tender and velvety.

Traditional vegetables include cabbage, carrots, and green onions. But feel free to add your favorites! Snow peas add crunch, bell peppers bring color, mushrooms offer earthy flavor, and broccoli adds nutrition and texture.

For a successful stir fry, cut all vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This ensures they cook evenly. Add vegetables in stages, starting with the firmest ones first.

For a healthy chicken lo mein recipe, use more vegetables and less oil. Adding bean sprouts at the end provides fresh crunch, while water chestnuts add unexpected texture. This makes lo mein great for using any vegetables you have!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Making authentic chicken lo mein is easy with a few key steps. The secret is in preparation. Having everything ready before cooking prevents overcooking and ensures great results.

Here’s how to make a delicious meal in just 30 minutes.

Prepare the Sauce

Start by mixing all your sauce ingredients in a small bowl. You’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Whisk until well combined and set aside. Having your sauce ready is crucial for authentic flavor and prevents delays.

Marinate the Chicken

Slice your chicken breast into thin strips, about ¼-inch thick. Toss the chicken with:

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This quick marinade makes the chicken tender and juicy.

Prepare the Vegetables

While the chicken marinates, prepare your vegetables. Cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. Julienne your carrots, slice bell peppers into thin strips, and chop broccoli into small florets.

For green onions, separate the white parts (which you’ll cook with the vegetables) from the green parts (which you’ll use as garnish). Having all vegetables prepped and ready in separate piles makes cooking smooth and efficient.

Cook the Noodles

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package instructions. For authentic lo mein, cook them slightly undercooked (al dente) since they’ll finish cooking in the wok.

Once done, drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss with a teaspoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking. Properly cooked noodles are essential for the perfect texture in your finished dish.

Stir Fry Process

Now comes the exciting part! Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat until it’s very hot. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the surface.

Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and let it sear for 30 seconds before stirring. Cook until just done (about 2-3 minutes) then remove to a clean plate.

In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil if needed, then add your vegetables in stages based on cooking time. Start with the firmest vegetables first:

Vegetable	When to Add	Cooking Time	Visual Cue	Texture Goal
Carrots	First	2-3 minutes	Slightly softened	Tender-crisp
Bell peppers	Second	1-2 minutes	Bright color	Crisp
Broccoli	Second	2 minutes	Vibrant green	Tender-crisp
Snow peas	Third	1 minute	Bright green	Crisp
Green onion (white parts)	Last	30 seconds	Fragrant	Softened

Combine Everything

Once your vegetables reach the crisp-tender stage, return the chicken to the pan. Add the cooked noodles and pour the sauce over everything. Toss everything together until well combined and the sauce coats all ingredients evenly.

Allow everything to heat through for just 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook at this stage – you want to maintain the vegetables’ vibrant colors and crisp textures.

Serve and Garnish

Transfer your chicken lo mein to a large serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle with the reserved green onion tops and additional sesame seeds if desired.

Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture. The entire cooking process happens quickly, which is why having everything prepped ahead of time is so important for this authentic chicken lo mein recipe.

From start to finish, you can have this impressive dish on the table in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the wait for takeout.

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Lo Mein

Making great chicken lo mein at home is all about a few key techniques. These tips will take your dish from good to amazing. They’re not hard, but they make a big difference in taste and texture.

Start by preparing everything before you heat your wok. Chop ingredients, mix sauce, and have noodles ready. Cooking over high heat in a wok or large skillet adds that smoky flavor found in Chinese restaurants.

Don’t overcrowd your pan. Cook in batches if needed to keep the heat high. Cook noodles a bit under, as they’ll soften when mixed with hot sauce and ingredients.

Slicing Vegetables and Chicken for Even Cooking

Cutting your ingredients the right way is key to a great stir fry. It ensures everything cooks evenly.

For chicken, slice against the grain into thin strips. This makes the chicken tender. For even more tenderness, try velveting the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, and oil for 15 minutes before cooking.

Vegetables should be cut into uniform pieces for quick cooking. Carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, and broccoli should be cut into thin, bite-sized pieces. Green onions should be cut diagonally into 1-inch segments.

Uniformly sized pieces ensure even cooking and make the dish look appealing. Taking the time to cut everything properly is worth it for a better dish.

Cooking Ingredients Separately for Optimal Texture

Cooking ingredients separately is a secret to achieving restaurant-style texture. It might seem like extra work, but it’s worth it.

Cooking everything together can lead to uneven textures. By cooking separately, each ingredient keeps its best texture.

Start by stir-frying the marinated chicken until just cooked. Then, remove it from the pan. This prevents the chicken from becoming tough.

Next, stir-fry vegetables in stages. Start with carrots and end with green onions. Only combine everything when all components are perfectly cooked.

This method ensures your chicken is tender, vegetables are crisp-tender, and noodles are chewy. It’s a small step that makes your dish authentic and professional-tasting.

Boiling Noodles According to Package Instructions

Cooking your lo mein noodles right is crucial for the perfect texture. There are a few important things to remember when cooking noodles.

Always follow the package instructions for cooking time. Aim for al dente, as the noodles will continue cooking in the stir-fry.

Use plenty of water in a large pot to prevent noodles from sticking. Adding a small amount of oil to the boiling water can also help prevent sticking. After cooking, rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.

Fresh lo mein noodles cook much faster than dried varieties. They might only need a quick blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Properly cooked noodles should be pliable but still slightly chewy, providing that satisfying texture that makes lo mein so crave-worthy.

Variations and Substitutions for a Healthier Dish

Homemade chicken lo mein is versatile and can be adapted to fit dietary needs. Making it healthier is easy without sacrificing flavor.

For a lower-carb option, use zucchini “zoodles” or spaghetti squash instead of noodles. Whole wheat lo mein noodles offer more fiber than traditional varieties.

To reduce sodium, use low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth in your sauce. Adding more colorful vegetables like red bell peppers, snow peas, broccoli, and spinach boosts nutrition.

Traditional Ingredient	Healthier Substitution	Benefit	Taste Impact
Regular lo mein noodles	Whole wheat lo mein noodles	More fiber, lower glycemic impact	Slightly nuttier flavor, similar texture
Regular soy sauce	Low-sodium soy sauce	Reduced sodium content	Slightly less intense flavor, easily adjusted
Brown sugar	Monk fruit sweetener	Zero calories, no blood sugar impact	Similar sweetness, no aftertaste
Boneless chicken breast	Tofu or tempeh	Plant-based protein, lower fat	Different texture, absorbs flavors well
Vegetable oil	Avocado oil or cooking spray	Healthier fats or reduced oil content	Neutral flavor, similar cooking results

To reduce sugar, use less brown sugar or substitute with monk fruit. Rice noodles are a gluten-free option, though they have a different texture.

Make the dish plant-based by using tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms. Reducing oil is easy with a non-stick pan and a small amount of oil or cooking spray.

These adjustments let you customize the dish to your liking while keeping the delicious lo mein flavors.

Conclusion

Making chicken lo mein at home gives you control over the flavor. You can make it taste like your favorite takeout, but with ingredients you know. Plus, this recipe is quick, ready in just 30 minutes.

This recipe is great because it’s flexible. Want to use green beans instead of snow peas? Go for it. Add more red pepper flakes for extra spice. Cooking each ingredient separately keeps everything perfect.

Your homemade chicken lo mein will be a hit. It’s all about the balance of savory sauce, tender chicken, and noodles. You might even prefer it over your favorite restaurant’s version.

Leftovers can be stored for up to three days in an airtight container. A splash of water can revive the noodles. This dish often tastes better the next day, as the flavors blend together.

Ready to make amazing Chinese food at home? This simple recipe shows you can make delicious meals without spending hours cooking. Just use fresh ingredients, a hot wok, and your love for great food!

FAQ – Lo Mein