Master the Art of Homemade Chicken Chow Mein with Vegetables: Your New Favorite Takeout Alternative
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Craving a flavorful, satisfying, and quick Chinese meal without the hassle and cost of ordering takeout? Look no further! This homemade Chicken Chow Mein with Vegetables recipe is about to revolutionize your weeknight dinners. Forget the greasy, often overly salty versions from your local spot; we’re talking fresher ingredients, vibrant flavors, and complete control over what goes into your dish. It’s truly better than takeout, and your family will be asking for seconds!
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: “Chow Mein” versus “Lo Mein.” Technically, authentic Chow Mein refers to fried noodles, often crispy, while Lo Mein involves stirred or tossed noodles. This recipe, with its soft, sautéed noodles, falls squarely into the Lo Mein category. However, in many Western takeout menus and common parlance, “Chow Mein” is often used to describe both styles. For clarity and to help you find this delicious recipe easily, we’ll continue calling it “Chicken Chow Mein.” Just know you’re getting tender, saucy noodles, not crispy ones. Good? Good.
Imagine succulent chicken pieces, crisp-tender fresh vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles, all coated in an incredibly savory and slightly sweet sauce. This dish delivers on all fronts: it’s packed with flavor, loaded with healthy veggies, and surprisingly easy to whip up in under 30 minutes. It’s healthier, fresher, and significantly cheaper than ordering out, making it the ideal Friday night treat or a quick family meal any day of the week.
Why Choose Homemade Chicken Chow Mein?
There are countless reasons to swap your takeout menu for this simple homemade version:
- Healthier Options: By preparing it yourself, you control the amount of oil, sodium, and sugar. You can load it up with extra vegetables and ensure the freshest ingredients are used, avoiding any unwanted additives like MSG.
- Budget-Friendly: Making Chinese takeout classics at home is always more economical. A single batch of this recipe feeds four people for less than the cost of one or two takeout orders.
- Fresher Taste: There’s no denying the superior taste of a dish made with freshly chopped garlic, ginger, and crisp vegetables cooked just moments before serving. The flavors are brighter and more robust.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is designed for efficiency. With just 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cook time, you can have a gourmet-quality meal on the table faster than delivery.
- Customization at Its Best: Dietary restrictions or personal preferences? No problem! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily swap proteins, add more veggies, or adjust the spice level to suit your family’s tastes.
Essential Ingredients for Delicious Chicken Chow Mein
You might be surprised at how simple the ingredient list is for this flavorful dish. Most items are readily available at your local grocery store, often found in the produce and international aisles. No need for specialty Asian markets, though they often offer a wider variety of noodles.
- Carrots: Shredded or thinly sliced, they add sweetness, color, and a satisfying crunch.
- Red Bell Pepper: Contributes vibrant color and a mild, sweet flavor. Feel free to use any color bell pepper you have on hand – green, yellow, or orange all work wonderfully.
- Olive Oil: The base for sautéing. While traditional stir-fries often use peanut or vegetable oil, olive oil works perfectly and is a common household staple.
- Chicken Breast: Lean and quick-cooking, cubed chicken breast is ideal here. For a richer flavor, chicken thighs can also be used.
- Pepper: A simple seasoning to complement the chicken.
- Snow Peas: These add a lovely, fresh snap and beautiful green color. Slice them into smaller pieces for easier eating.
- Cabbage: Shredded cabbage (like a pre-sliced tricolored coleslaw mix for convenience) provides bulk, crunch, and essential texture to the dish.
- Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is crucial for that authentic, aromatic base. Don’t skimp on this!
- Minced Ginger: Alongside garlic, fresh minced ginger adds a warm, spicy, and fragrant note that is quintessential to Chinese cuisine.
- Hoisin Sauce: This savory-sweet Chinese barbecue sauce is a powerhouse of flavor and easily found in the Asian section of your grocery store. It’s key to the sauce’s depth.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Essential for umami and saltiness. Using low-sodium helps control the overall sodium content of the dish, allowing you to season to taste.
- Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for the sauce, helping to cook the noodles and marry all the flavors together.
- Chinese-Style Lo Mein Noodles: These are the star of the show! Look for fresh or dried lo mein noodles in the Asian section. They are typically thicker and rounder than thin ramen or vermicelli noodles, designed to be tossed in sauce rather than fried crispy.
Simple Steps to Your Best Homemade Chow Mein
Making this chicken chow mein is incredibly straightforward and doesn’t require any specialized equipment. A large skillet or a wok is all you need. I personally love using a spacious skillet like this beautiful one from Amazon for its even heating and generous surface area.
Prepping for Success: The Key to Fast Stir-Frying
The secret to any quick stir-fry is “mise en place” – having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. Chop your vegetables, cube your chicken, mince your garlic and ginger, and measure out your sauces. This ensures a smooth and stress-free cooking process, as everything moves quickly once the heat is on.
Cooking Your Chicken and Veggies:
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the cubed chicken breast seasoned with pepper. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage, as it will continue to cook with the vegetables and sauce. This initial sear locks in flavor.
- Add the Hardier Vegetables: Toss in your carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, and shredded cabbage. Sauté for about 3 minutes, just until they begin to soften but still retain a slight crispness. We’re aiming for crisp-tender, not mushy!
- Aromatic Boost: Stir in the minced garlic and ginger. Cook for just about 20 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter very quickly.
Bringing it All Together: The Sauce and Noodles
- Create the Flavorful Sauce: Pour in the hoisin sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, and chicken broth. Stir everything well to combine, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring this mixture to a boil.
- Add the Noodles: Once the sauce is boiling, add your Chinese-style lo mein noodles. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. This is crucial for the noodles to absorb the sauce and cook evenly without sticking together. Continue cooking until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, leaving a rich, coating sauce.
Finishing Touches: Garnish and Serve
Divide the finished chow mein into serving bowls. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. The nutty aroma of sesame seeds and the mild bite of green onions perfectly complement the dish. Serve immediately and enjoy your superior homemade “takeout!”
Tips for the Best Homemade Chow Mein
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if necessary, especially if you’re doubling the recipe or using a smaller skillet. Overcrowding can steam the ingredients instead of stir-frying them, leading to less flavorful results.
- Prep Everything Ahead: As mentioned, stir-frying is fast. Having all your ingredients chopped and measured before you start cooking is essential for success.
- Adjust Sweetness/Saltiness: Taste the sauce before adding the noodles. You can adjust the hoisin (for sweetness) or soy sauce (for saltiness) to your preference. A pinch of sugar can also balance the flavors if needed.
- Experiment with Vegetables: This recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, bok choy, or snap peas.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger, or drizzle some sriracha over your finished plate.
More Easy Chinese-Inspired Recipes to Make at Home
If you love the convenience and flavor of this homemade chow mein, you’ll definitely want to explore more delicious Chinese-inspired dishes that are perfect for making in your own kitchen. Elevate your weeknight menu with these simple, satisfying options:
- Honey Sesame Chicken and Vegetables: A sticky, sweet, and savory chicken dish loaded with veggies, perfect for serving with rice.
- Vegetable Lo Mein: A fantastic vegetarian option featuring tender noodles and a colorful array of stir-fried vegetables in a rich sauce.
- Vegetable Fried Rice: A classic side or main dish, this recipe transforms leftover rice into a flavorful, quick meal.
Chicken Chow Mein with Vegetables
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Ingredients
- 2 large carrots, shredded
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 cup snow peas, sliced into smaller pieces
- 3 cups cabbage, sliced (I used pre sliced try-colored coleslaw mix)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cups low sodium soy sauce
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 13 oz Chinese style Lo Mein noodles
Toppings
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- To a large pot over medium heat, add the oil. Once oil is hot, add in the chicken and season with a dash of pepper. Cook the chicken for about 4 minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be completely cooked through at this point.
- Stir in the carrots, bell peppers, snow, peas, and shredded cabbage and cook for 3 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
- Add in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and broth, and bring to a boil. Add in the noodles and simmer for about 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the noddles are tender. Top with sesame seeds and green onions and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.