Pin HERE for late and follow my boards for more tasty asian recipes Updated September 2020
Easy Chow Mein Recipe
When it comes to taiwanese restaurant choice dishes we make over and over again, this Chicken Chow Mein recipe is one that my family says they love the most. Stir fried noodles are great for cleaning out the electric refrigerator with any supernumerary veggies you have from the week. The best part is, you can easily swap in whatever ingredients you like or have in your kitchen. Growing up in a chinese family with two epicure parents, chinese takeout dishes like this Chicken Lo Mein, C how fun and Fried rice happened regularly at our theater. And if you ’ rhenium looking for more chow mein recipes, we besides love this Beef Chow Mein, Vegetable Chow Mein, Chinese Chow Mein and Keto Chow Mein. 
Why you’ll love this better than takeout restaurant-style stir-fry
If you ’ ra looking for the best zhou mein recipe, this authentic Hong Kong-style chow mein recipe is made with crisp flimsy noodles and an amazing savory stir-fry sauce. And don ’ t concern, it ’ randomness NOT made with by and large bean sprouts or those crispy long crackers like what you find in distinctive north american english Chinese restaurants. All you need is ONE PAN and less than 20 minutes and you ’ ve got yourself a better than takeout chow mein smasher cook for Friday night dinner. This healthy zhou mein recipe can besides be made gluten-free, Whole30, with paleo and keto options. It ’ s besides super dim-witted to customize so you can use any protein and vegetables can easily be swapped out and customize to fit any needs. 
What is Chow Mein
Chow Mein is a chinese stir-fried noodle serve made with jaundiced chow mein noodles ( normally egg noodles ), kernel or seafood and vegetables. It ’ south one of the most popular and most arranged dish from north american Chinese restaurants. 
Chicken Chow Mein vs Lo Mein
Wondering what the remainder is between Chow Mein and Lo Mein ? Both chow mein and lo mein are stir-fried attic dishes. The main difference is the type of noodles. yue Chow Mein uses flimsy crisp egg noodles. You ’ ll find that many authentic chinese restaurants in Hong Kong besides shape the noodles into a boo ’ south nest and deep fry / flash fry the noodles sol you get that crisp noodle texture while Lo Mein typically is made with across-the-board scandalmongering noodles .
What noodles are best for Chinese Chow Mein
- You can use fresh or dried egg noodles.
- Fresh noodles are usually found in your local Asian market. Some large grocery stores carry it in the International / Ethnic section or refrigerated section.
- Dried ramen noodles, yakisoba noodles or very thin pasta would also work. Just be sure whatever noodles you use, they measure out to about 8 ounces (about 225 grams – 2 cups) when cooked.
Ingredients in Chow Mein
For the stir fried noodles
- Boneless Skinless Chicken breast – thinly sliced or cut into 1″ chunks. Can omit for vegetarian chow mein
- Fresh chow mein noodles – usually found at Asian supermarkets. You can also swap with ramen noodles, egg noodles or spaghetti noodles. For grain-free diets these can be swapped with Jovial Grain-Free Cassava Spaghetti Pasta , Cappello’s Grain Free Spaghetti Almond Flour Pasta or Palmini Noodles made from Hearts of Palm Pasta. Vegetable noodles work, too, like cooked spaghetti squash noodles or these zucchini noodles for Whole30 Chicken Chow Mein.
- An assortment of fresh vegetables in chow mein that we like to use:
- Nappa cabbage or green cabbage
- carrots
- mung bean sprouts
- bok choy
- broccoli
- snap peas or snow peas
- green onions, for garnish
Garlic & fresh ginger – we like to use newly garlic and pep, but land garlic and ginger can be substituted in a pilfer. Salt and pepper – temper to taste 
Chow Mein Sauce:
Ingredients you need to get that signature sweet and savory sauce we all love :
- Coconut Aminos – can subsitute with gluten free tamari or reduced sodium soy sauce if not following Whole30/paleo.
- Apple cider vinegar – may sub with rice wine vinegar if not Whole30/paleo.
- Honey – a paleo sweetener that adds a nice sweetness to this healthy chow mein sauce. If you want to make this sauce keto, then sub with preferred liquid sweetener (monk fruit or yacon syrup) or you can use apple juice or homemade date paste for a Whole30 stir fry sauce
- White pepper – optional but makes this chow mein extra delicious
- Sesame oil – adds the signature nutty flavor found in traditional recipes
- Arrowroot powder– we love to use this grain-free starch in place of cornstarch to help thicken up the sauce, but you can substitute with tapioca startch or 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for low carb / keto diets
- Chinese cooking wine – can sub with dry sherry in a pinch – omit for paleo, Whole30 and keto
- Water or Chicken Broth – to mix with the arrowroot powder
Other ingredients if not paleo
- Oyster sauce – sub with Primal Kitchen’s No Soy Teriyaki Sauce for paleo / Whole30
- Red Boat Fish sauce
- Chili garlic paste
- Bean sprouts
How to make Chicken Chow Mein
Making your own chicken zhou mein recipe couldn ’ t be easier ! Be indisputable to read the bit-by-bit instructions or watch the video below !
- MAKE THE SAUCE: Whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce. Measure out 1/2 tablespoon and drizzle over chicken in a separate bowl.
- HOW TO COOK CHOW MEIN NOODLES: Prepare noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
- COOK THE CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES: Heat oil in a non-stick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until lightly brown. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for about 1 minute. Add cabbage and carrots and cook for 1-2 minutes or until wilted but still slightly crispy.
- ADD THE NOODLES: Stir in the noodles; give the reserved sauce a quick stir then pour over noodles. Use tongs to toss noodles to coat with sauce. Season with more salt, pepper or Sriracha and add more water to thin out the sauce, as needed.
- GARNISH AND SERVE: Stir in bean sprouts and green onions, stirring for 30 seconds to combine then dish out and serve hot topped with sesame seeds.
Tips for Better than Takeout Chow Mein Recipe
- make your sauce and have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before stir-frying
- season protein and allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes
- use a wok or cast-iron pan (we got this one in March and love it)
- try adding a couple teaspoons of sriracha sauce or some crushed red pepper flakes to spice things up.
- For extra saucy noodles, feel free to double the chow mein sauce recipe.
Variations of Chinese Chow Mein
- Swap out the chicken for your favorite protein – beef, pork, shrimp and fried tofu work great in here.
- Not a fan of cabbage, bean sprouts or carrots? No problem – swap them for spinach, mushrooms, broccoli or snap peas instead.
- If you cannot find fresh (Asian market) chow mein noodles or egg noodles (usually in the International section of Target, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or large chain grocery store), then you can swap with any gluten-free noodle or shirataki noodles.
And if you ’ ra looking for a moo carb chow mein recipe, these Chicken Chow Mein Zoodles and Paleo Chow Mein Noodles are a delectable direction to satisfy that taiwanese takeout craving. 
Make ahead, reheating and storage instructions
Wondering if you can make zhou mein ahead of time ? Chow Mein makes delicious leftovers and works great on your Sunday meal homework day. It works perfect for meal-prep specially if you make a double batch .
- To make ahead: Cook your noodles the day before. Mince or chop the garlic, ginger and wash and cut the vegetables the day before. Store in the fridge in separate containers or resealable bags.
- Wondering how long does Chow Mein last in the fridge? You can store this delicious dish in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to allow the noodles to cool down then transfer to airtight containers,
- How to reheat chow mein: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover lo mein noodles, it’s best to either sauté it in a wok or pan on medium low heat over the stove or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.
Meal prepping
We love to make this one pot chow mein recipe for weekly meal preps ! Chicken zhou mein is a one-pan dinner recipe that is easy to make in huge batches that will last the entire workweek and perfect for packing in school or work lunches. Let your noodles cool then pack into meal homework containers. We like these looking glass containers for home and these lunch containers for school and work .
- For easier weekly meal prep – The vegetables can be prepped ahead of time the day before and stored in a zip-top bag or airtight container.
- Divide into containers to pack into weekly work or school lunches
- Add your favorite roasted or stir-fried vegetables to the your lunch bowls
- Pack with your favorite side – Jasmine rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables – zoodles
Serving suggestions
Homemade chow mein is delightful on its own or serve it with :
Is chicken chow mein healthy?
Chow Mein that you make at home is decidedly healthier than any takeout chow mein that you ordain from any north american Chinese restaurant. Our one toilet chicken chow mein recipe includes a soy-free option but we besides have these Low Carb Noodles that is perfective for anyone that is following a grain-free or Whole30, paleo, low carb or keto diet. More Chinese dishes you might like: Beef Lo Mein Pad thai General Tso ’ s Chicken Sweet & Sour asian Lemon Chicken slow Cooker Orange Lunch Bowls
Read more: Pork Chow Mein – Plum Street Collective
