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Chicken chow mein is a popular Chinese-American dish that combines tender chicken, and savory noodles in a flavorful stir-fry. This delicious meal features marinated chicken, stir-fried with vegetables all tossed with soft chow mein noodles. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and sugar, creating a harmonious blend of umami flavors. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch, chicken chow mein is a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that brings the taste of your favorite Chinese restaurant right to your kitchen. Enjoy this easy-to-make recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients in chicken chow mein
Chicken and noodles
- Chicken: Chicken thigh pieces marinated for flavor and juiciness, providing a lean protein source.
- Chow Mein Noodles: Soft chow mein noodles that form the classic base of this popular dish.
Sauces for noodle portion and chicken
- Soy Sauce: Adds a savory and salty flavor essential for authentic chow mein.
- Dark Soy Sauce: Adds color and also depth of flavor for that classic chow mein look/
- Oyster Sauce: Enhances the umami richness of the dish, providing depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves minced to add a pungent, savory taste.
- Green Onions: Chopped green onions for a mild onion flavor and also a touch of color.
- Vegetable Oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients evenly and ensuring they don’t stick to the pan.
- Sesame Oil/Chili Oil: Adds a nutty, rich flavor that complements the other ingredients.
What type of noodles should I use?
In chicken chow mein, the noodles used are typically chow mein noodles, which are a type of Chinese egg noodle. Here are the key characteristics of these noodles:
- Egg Noodles: Chow mein noodles are made from wheat flour and eggs, giving them a rich flavor and a slightly chewy texture.
- Thickness: These noodles are usually thin and long, making them ideal for stir-frying as they cook quickly and evenly.
- Texture: When cooked properly, chow mein noodles have a firm and slightly chewy texture, which helps them hold up well when mixed with sauces and other ingredients.
- Preparation: Chow mein noodles are often parboiled briefly before being stir-fried. This ensures they are soft but still retain a bit of bite.
- Varieties: There are two main types of chow mein noodles—crispy (Hong Kong-style) and soft. For traditional chicken chow mein, the soft variety is commonly used, although some recipes may opt for the crispy version.
Using the right type of noodles is essential for achieving the authentic texture and flavor of chicken chow mein, making the dish both satisfying and delicious.
Chicken Chow Mein
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tbsp dark soy sauce
- ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 2 cloves grated garlic
- 1 tbsp oil
Noodles
- ½ yellow onion, (sliced)
- 2 cloves grated garlic
- 450 g chow mein noodles
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp chili oil
- green onions
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1 inch cubes.6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Season with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, grated garlic, and white pepper1 tbsp soy sauce, ½ tbsp dark soy sauce, ½ tbsp sugar, 1 tsp white pepper, 2 cloves grated garlic
- Add oil into a preheated pan, and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through. 3-5 minutes each side. Remove and set aside.1 tbsp oil
- Add boiling water into chow mein noodles and soak for 1 minute. Strain.450 g chow mein noodles
- Add sliced onions into the pan along with grated garlic. Cook 1 minute.½ yellow onion, 2 cloves grated garlic
- Add strained chow mein noodles and season with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Mix well.450 g chow mein noodles, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1½ tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar
- Add the cooked chicken back in along with a drizzle of chili oil and top with green onions.1 tsp chili oil, green onions
