Craving a dish that’s both incredibly satisfying and unbelievably quick to prepare? Look no further than this delightful Chicken Lo Mein recipe! Designed for busy weeknights, this easy stir-fry comes together in a flash, promising a flavorful meal in less than 20 minutes from start to finish. Imagine tender, juicy chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables, all coated in an irresistible, savory Lo Mein sauce. Forget expensive takeout; this homemade version delivers authentic flavors, remarkable freshness, and a wholesome dinner your entire family will absolutely adore.
This homemade Chicken Lo Mein recipe is a revelation! It captures all the fresh, healthy, and easy-to-love qualities of your favorite Chinese takeout, but with the added benefits of being made quicker, costing significantly less, and allowing you full control over the ingredients. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly these bouncy noodles integrate with a colorful array of fresh veggies, creating a balanced and complete dinner that requires just one pan for cooking the main components. It’s the ultimate solution for a delicious and nutritious meal when time is of the essence.
If your search for effortless yet mouthwatering weeknight dinners continues, you absolutely must explore some of my other popular, quick-fix recipes. Dive into the rich flavors of my Spicy Honey Garlic Salmon, a perfect blend of sweet and heat that comes together in under 30 minutes. Alternatively, give my Easy Orange Chicken Recipe a try for a zesty, sticky, and utterly delicious chicken dish. Both of these options are not only incredibly flavorful but also surprisingly healthy and can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less, making them ideal choices for even the busiest evenings.
Why This Chicken Lo Mein Recipe Will Become Your New Favorite
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this exceptional Chicken Lo Mein recipe. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a smart choice for modern living, blending convenience with incredible taste and nutritional value. Here’s why this dish stands out:
- Unbeatable Speed and Simplicity: This noodle stir-fry is a true weeknight champion. It’s designed to be incredibly fast and easy, making it the perfect go-to meal when you’re short on time but still want something homemade and delicious. In fact, you’ll find it’s quicker to prepare this dish from scratch than it is to order takeout and wait for delivery or drive to pick it up!
- A Wholesome and Balanced Meal in One Plate: Say goodbye to juggling multiple side dishes. This easy Lo Mein recipe features protein-packed chicken, satisfying noodles, and a vibrant spectrum of fresh vegetables, offering a complete and nutritionally balanced meal all in a single serving. It’s a smart way to ensure your family gets a diverse range of nutrients without extra fuss.
- Remarkably Versatile and Customizable: One of the greatest joys of this Chicken Lo Mein is its adaptability. Feel free to raid your refrigerator and utilize any vegetables you have on hand that need to be used up. From broccoli and snap peas to bell peppers and mushrooms, nearly any veggie will complement these savory noodles beautifully, making it an excellent recipe for minimizing food waste and maximizing creativity.
- Healthier Than Takeout: When you cook at home, you control the ingredients. This recipe uses fresh, wholesome components and allows you to adjust the sodium and sugar content to your preference, resulting in a much healthier meal compared to restaurant versions that often contain excessive oil, salt, and preservatives.
- Cost-Effective: Enjoy restaurant-quality flavors without the restaurant price tag. Making Chicken Lo Mein at home is significantly more budget-friendly than ordering from a restaurant, allowing you to stretch your grocery budget further while still enjoying a delicious feast.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Chicken Lo Mein
Crafting the perfect Chicken Lo Mein starts with a thoughtful selection of fresh ingredients. This recipe balances protein, carbohydrates, and a colorful array of vegetables, all brought together by a dynamic sauce. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:
- Chicken Tenderloin: Opt for chicken tenderloins for their tenderness and quick cooking time. If tenderloins aren’t available, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are excellent alternatives; simply slice them into thin, even strips to ensure they cook quickly and evenly.
- Lo Mein Noodles: The star of the show! You can typically find fresh or dried Lo Mein noodles in the Asian aisle of your local grocery store or at an Asian specialty market. If you can’t locate specific Lo Mein noodles, thin spaghetti or even linguine can serve as a decent substitute in a pinch, though authentic Lo Mein noodles provide the best texture.
- Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or even grapeseed oil is ideal for stir-frying, as it has a high smoke point and won’t impart strong flavors.
- Carrots: Fresh carrots add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color. Julienne them into thin matchsticks for quick cooking and a delicate texture. Pre-cut carrot sticks can save time.
- Red Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers are fantastic for their sweet flavor and beautiful crimson hue. However, feel free to use yellow or orange bell peppers for a slightly different sweetness and color profile.
- Snow Peas: These crisp, flat peas offer a delightful crunch and a hint of fresh sweetness. If snow peas are hard to find, snap peas make a great substitute, or even thinly sliced green beans.
- Yellow Onion: A staple in stir-fries, yellow onion provides a foundational aromatic flavor. Julienne it for even cooking and distribution. Sweet onions can also be used for a milder taste.
- Sliced Cremini Mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby Bella mushrooms, add a wonderful earthy depth and umami to the dish. White button mushrooms can be used as well.
- Green Onion Stalks: Used both in the stir-fry and for garnish, green onions (scallions) provide a fresh, pungent finish. Chop them into 2-inch sticks for cooking and thinly slice some for a beautiful garnish. Remember to discard the roots.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds before serving adds a lovely nutty flavor and an appealing visual touch.
- Salt: To season the chicken and adjust the overall flavor of the dish.
Crafting the Signature Lo Mein Sauce:
The sauce is the heart and soul of any great Lo Mein, bringing all the ingredients together with its rich, savory, and slightly sweet profile. For this essential component, you’ll need a harmonious blend of the following:
- Minced Garlic: For a foundational aromatic kick.
- Soy Sauce: I recommend low-sodium soy sauce to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Dark Soy Sauce: This ingredient is key for giving Lo Mein its characteristic darker color and a slightly richer, milder, and less salty flavor than regular soy sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Provides a savory base and helps create the perfect saucy consistency. Low-sodium chicken broth is preferred.
- Oyster Sauce: A cornerstone of Chinese cooking, oyster sauce delivers a complex sweet and savory umami depth. If unavailable, hoisin sauce can be a decent substitute, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
- Cornstarch: Used as a thickening agent to give the sauce its signature glossy and clingy texture.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements and enhance flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Provides a subtle tang and brightens the overall taste of the sauce.
- Sesame Oil: Added at the end, sesame oil contributes a distinct nutty aroma and flavor.
- Fresh Ginger: Grated fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy, and aromatic note.
- Sriracha: (Optional) For those who enjoy a spicier kick, sriracha sauce is a fantastic addition. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of heat or omit entirely for a milder dish.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Easy Chicken Lo Mein
Creating this delicious Chicken Lo Mein is a straightforward process, broken down into simple, manageable steps. Follow these instructions for a perfect stir-fry every time:
- Prepare the Noodles to Perfection: Begin by cooking your Lo Mein noodles according to the package directions until they are al dente. This means they should be firm to the bite, not mushy. Overcooking will result in soggy noodles, which you definitely want to avoid for the best texture. Once cooked, drain them thoroughly and set aside.
- Whisk Together the Flavorful Sauce: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine all the ingredients for the Lo Mein sauce: minced garlic, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chicken broth, oyster sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, fresh ginger, and sriracha (if using). Whisk everything together until completely smooth and the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set this aside.
- Efficiently Prepare All Ingredients: Proper mise en place is crucial for stir-frying. Slice the chicken tenderloin into thin, uniform julienne strips and set them aside. Then, meticulously slice all your chosen vegetables – carrots, red bell pepper, snow peas, yellow onion, cremini mushrooms, and green onion stalks (keeping the 2-inch pieces separate from any garnish slices). Having everything prepped ensures a smooth and quick cooking process.
- Perfectly Sauté the Chicken: Heat a large wok or a spacious skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the julienned chicken strips in a single layer. Pan-sear the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned on the outside and fully cooked through. As it cooks, lightly sprinkle the chicken with a pinch of salt to enhance its flavor. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a bowl. Cover the bowl loosely with aluminum foil to keep the chicken warm and preserve its moisture.
- Stir-Fry the Vibrant Vegetables: Using the same skillet (no need to clean it – the residual flavors add depth!), add another ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil over high heat. Toss in the prepared onion, mushrooms, bell pepper, snow peas, and carrots. Sauté these vegetables together for just a couple of minutes. The goal is for them to become slightly tender-crisp, retaining a bit of their bite and bright color, rather than becoming soft and mushy.
- Bring It All Together: Reduce the heat slightly to medium-high. Pour the prepared Lo Mein sauce into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Immediately add the cooked noodles into the pan. Using tongs, thoroughly mix and toss the noodles and vegetables with the sauce, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Cook for another couple of minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and cling to the noodles.
- Final Assembly and Serving: Return the cooked chicken to the pan, along with the chopped green onion sticks. Toss everything together for one final minute, allowing the chicken to warm through and the green onions to slightly soften and release their aroma. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Garnish and Serve Immediately: Transfer the delicious Chicken Lo Mein to serving plates or bowls. Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor and visual appeal. Serve hot and enjoy this incredible homemade meal right away!
Expert Tips for Crafting the BEST Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Achieving restaurant-quality Lo Mein at home is simpler than you think with these helpful tips:
- Noodle Precision is Key: Always cook your noodles precisely according to the package directions, aiming for an al dente texture. Overcooked noodles will become soft and mushy, losing their desirable chewiness and turning your Lo Mein into a less appealing dish.
- Control the Salt: To master the salt balance in your dish, always opt for low-sodium soy sauce. This allows you to season the chicken and adjust the overall salt level of the sauce to your exact preference without making the dish overly salty.
- Uniform Slicing for Even Cooking: For both your vegetables and chicken, slice them into thin, even strips or pieces. This technique ensures a larger surface area, which is crucial for quick and uniform cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overdone.
- Amplify the Heat (Optional): If you enjoy a bit of warmth and spice in your stir-fry, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or during the vegetable sauté. This will give your Lo Mein a delightful kick.
- Protein Versatility: No chicken on hand, or prefer another protein? This recipe is highly adaptable! Feel free to substitute with my Beef Lo Mein recipe, or use shrimp, pork, or even extra firm tofu.
- Dark Soy Sauce Alternative: While dark soy sauce contributes a richer color and distinct flavor, if you don’t have it, you can simply use regular (low-sodium) soy sauce instead. The color might be lighter, but the flavor will still be delicious.
- Oyster Sauce Substitute: If oyster sauce isn’t available, hoisin sauce can be used as a flavorful substitute. Keep in mind that hoisin is sweeter and thicker, so you might want to adjust the brown sugar in the sauce accordingly.
- Hot Wok, Quick Cook: Ensure your wok or skillet is screaming hot before adding ingredients. High heat is essential for effective stir-frying, creating that desirable “wok hei” (breath of the wok) flavor and ensuring vegetables remain crisp-tender.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if your pan isn’t large enough. Overcrowding cools the pan down, leading to steaming instead of stir-frying, which can result in soggy ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Lo Mein
Here are some common questions about making and enjoying Chicken Lo Mein, providing you with all the information you need for a successful culinary experience:
For an authentic Chicken Lo Mein recipe, the best noodles to use are Chinese egg noodles. These fresh or dried wheat-based noodles have a lovely chewiness and absorb the sauce beautifully. You can often find them in the refrigerated section or Asian aisle of larger grocery stores or at an Asian specialty market. If genuine Chinese egg noodles are not accessible, a good substitute would be thin spaghetti or even fettuccini noodles, which offer a similar shape and texture, albeit with a slightly different flavor profile. Just be sure not to overcook them!
Storing leftover Chicken Lo Mein is easy! Allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh and delicious in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place your desired portion in the microwave and heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
Absolutely! This Chicken Lo Mein recipe is incredibly versatile and can easily be adapted into a delicious vegetarian Lo Mein. Simply omit the chicken entirely. You can serve it as is, packed with a greater quantity of vegetables, or enhance the protein content by stir-frying some extra-firm tofu until golden brown and adding it to the noodles. Tempeh or even plant-based chicken substitutes can also work wonderfully. Feel free to add more of your favorite vegetables to make it even more filling and flavorful.
While often confused, Lo Mein and Chow Mein are distinct Chinese noodle dishes, primarily differentiated by their preparation methods and sauce consistency. Lo Mein, which translates to “tossed noodles,” is characterized by soft, long noodles that are tossed with a rich, savory, and often thicker sauce along with protein and vegetables. It’s a saucy noodle dish where the noodles are the main focus. Chow Mein, meaning “fried noodles,” involves stir-frying the noodles until they are crisp and crunchy, often with less sauce, resulting in a drier dish. The noodles for Chow Mein are sometimes par-boiled and then pan-fried to achieve that characteristic crispy texture.
The beauty of Lo Mein lies in its flexibility with vegetables! Beyond the carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, onions, and mushrooms suggested in this recipe, you can experiment with a wide array of options. Great additions include crunchy broccoli florets, thinly sliced zucchini, bok choy (for a touch of greens), green beans, edamame for extra protein, or even fresh spinach wilted in at the very end. Don’t hesitate to use whatever seasonal vegetables you have or enjoy most!
The quintessential Lo Mein sauce is a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and umami flavors, designed to coat every strand of noodle. Our recipe features a delicious sauce made with minced garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce (for color and depth), chicken broth, rich oyster sauce (or hoisin for a twist), cornstarch (for thickening), a touch of brown sugar for sweetness, tangy rice vinegar, aromatic sesame oil, and fresh grated ginger. Optionally, sriracha sauce can be added for those who desire a spicy kick.
Explore More Delicious Lo Mein Recipe Variations:
Once you’ve mastered this Chicken Lo Mein, the possibilities for customization are endless. Get creative with different proteins and vegetables to suit your taste:
- Shrimp Lo Mein: For a seafood twist, substitute chicken with succulent shrimp. Cook the shrimp until almost opaque, slightly undercooking them by about 1 minute, as they will continue to cook and absorb flavors when tossed with the hot noodles and sauce.
- Beef Lo Mein: Indulge in the rich flavors of my delicious Beef Lo Mein recipe, where tender strips of beef replace the chicken for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Vegetable Lo Mein: This is perhaps the simplest and most versatile variation. Skip the meat entirely and load up on your favorite vegetables, cooked until just soft enough but still retaining a pleasant crispness. Think broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, bok choy, mushrooms, and more!
- Pork Lo Mein: Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or pork loin makes for an excellent alternative, offering a different depth of flavor.
More Irresistible Chicken Recipes to Enjoy
If you’re a fan of chicken and looking for more quick, easy, and flavorful meal ideas, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes from my kitchen:
- Chicken Zucchini Enchilada: A fresh and flavorful take on classic enchiladas.
- Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers: Perfect for grilling, these skewers are packed with zesty and savory notes.
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast: A smoky, sweet, and perfectly charred chicken dish ideal for any barbecue.
- Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta: A comforting and indulgent pasta dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.
- Mongolian Chicken: A sweet and savory stir-fry that rivals your favorite restaurant version.
I genuinely hope you thoroughly enjoy exploring all the recipes I’m passionate about sharing with you, especially this mouthwatering Chicken Lo Mein. I encourage you to give it a try, savor every bite, leave a star rating and comment to share your experience, and pass this delicious recipe on to your friends and family!
If you whip up this incredible recipe and find yourself loving it, please take a moment to leave a star rating and a comment below. Your feedback truly brightens my day! Don’t forget to use my hashtag to share your delicious recreations with me on INSTAGRAM – I can’t wait to see what you make! Also, make sure to follow Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all my latest social posts, kitchen tips, and new recipes.
Easy Chicken Lo Mein
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb. chicken tenderloin, julienned (or chicken breasts)
- 10 oz. Lo Mein noodles, dry (Chinese egg noodles preferred)
- 1 ½ tbsp. vegetable oil , or oil of choice
- 1 large carrot, julienned or use carrot sticks
- 1 small red bell pepper, julienned
- ¾ cup snow peas, (or snap peas)
- 1 cup yellow onion, julienned (or sweet onion)
- 1 cup sliced cremini or baby Bella mushrooms
- 3 green onion stalks, chopped into 2-inch sticks (plus more for garnish)
- Toasted Sesame seeds for garnishing
- Salt to taste
Lo Mein Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps. normal soy sauce, low sodium
- 2 tbsps. dark soy sauce, (optional, for color and richer flavor)
- ½ cup chicken broth, low sodium
- 2 tbsps. oyster sauce, (or hoisin sauce)
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. rice vinegar
- 1 tsp. sesame oil, (for aroma)
- 1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
- 1-2 tbsp. sriracha sauce, optional, for a spicy kick
Instructions
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Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Do not overcook the noodles; they should still have a slight bite. Drain well.
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In a small cup or bowl, whisk together all the marinade (sauce) ingredients until smooth.
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Slice the chicken into julienne strips and set aside.
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Prepare all the vegetables by slicing them as directed (julienned carrots, bell pepper, onion; sliced mushrooms; 2-inch green onion sticks).
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Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add 1 tbsp. of oil. Once hot, add the chicken strips and pan-sear until lightly browned and fully cooked through. Lightly sprinkle some salt on them while they cook.
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Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside in a bowl, covering it loosely with foil wrap to keep it moist and warm.
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In the same skillet over high heat, add ½ tbsp. of oil. Sauté the julienned onion, sliced mushrooms, bell pepper, snow peas, and carrots together for 2-3 minutes. You want them to be tender-crisp, not overly soft.
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Add the prepared marinade sauce and the cooked noodles into the skillet with the vegetables. Toss and cook together for a couple of minutes, ensuring the noodles are thoroughly coated and the sauce slightly thickens.
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Return the cooked chicken and the chopped green onion sticks (2-inch pieces) to the pan. Toss everything together for another minute to heat through and combine flavors.
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Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and serve your delicious Chicken Lo Mein immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook your noodles exactly according to the package directions to avoid overcooked, mushy noodles.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to have better control over the overall saltiness of your dish.
- Slice all your vegetables and meat into thin, uniform pieces for quick and even cooking.
- For an added kick of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper flakes with the sauce.
- If you prefer, you can easily substitute the chicken with beef using my Beef Lo Mein recipe.
- If dark soy sauce is unavailable, regular low-sodium soy sauce can be used as a substitute, though the final dish may have a lighter color.
- Hoisin sauce can be used in place of oyster sauce if you don’t have any, though it has a slightly sweeter profile.
Nutrition
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