Description
Whip up an Easy Chow Mein Recipe at home! Skip takeout with these flavorful, quick noodles. My family’s favorite weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Noodle & Veggie Base:
- 12 oz fresh chow mein noodles
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 3 green onions, chopped
- Protein & Fresh Add-ins:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- Savory Sauce Essentials:
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 tbsp water (for cornstarch slurry)
- Cooking Oil:
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (like canola or vegetable)
Instructions
- Prep Your Noodles & Chicken:: First things first, get those noodles ready! Follow the package directions; usually, it’s a quick boil, just until they’re pliable but still have a bit of bite, honestly. Rinse them under cold water right away to stop them from cooking and getting all mushy, then give them a good drain. While they’re cooling, slice your chicken thin. I like to marinate it quickly with a bit of soy sauce and cornstarch – that cornstarch is a game-changer for tender chicken, trust me!
- Stir-Fry the Aromatics & Chicken:: Heat up your wok or a large skillet with a splash of oil over medium-high heat. When it’s shimmering, toss in your marinated chicken. Stir-fry it until it’s just cooked through and has a nice golden hue, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t crowd the pan, or it’ll steam instead of sear! If you have too much chicken, do it in batches, I always say. Once cooked, scoop it out and set it aside. Now, into that same pan, add your minced garlic and grated ginger. Oh, the smell that wafts up! Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant, but don’t let it burn, or it’ll taste bitter.
- Add the Veggies:: Now for the crunch! Toss in your shredded cabbage and julienned carrots. Stir-fry them for about 2-3 minutes. We want them tender-crisp, not soggy, so keep that heat up and keep stirring! This is where the kitchen starts to smell like a proper Chinese restaurant, honestly. I sometimes add a handful of bean sprouts here too, if I have them lurking in the fridge.
- Combine Sauce & Noodles:: In a small bowl, whisk together all your sauce ingredients: soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, and a bit more cornstarch mixed with water. This is your magic potion! Pour this glorious sauce into the pan with the veggies, letting it bubble and thicken slightly. Then, add your drained noodles and the cooked chicken back into the pan. This is where the real fun begins for this Easy Chow Mein Recipe.
- Toss It All Together:: Using tongs or two spatulas (my preferred method to avoid a noodle rebellion), toss everything together like a mad scientist! Make sure every strand of noodle is coated in that savory, glossy sauce. You want all those flavors to mingle and become friends. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. I always have a moment of ‘is this going to work?’ right here, but it always does, somehow!
- Finish & Serve Your Easy Chow Mein:: Finally, stir in most of your chopped green onions – save a little for garnish, because presentation matters, even if it’s just for me on the couch! Give it one last good toss. Taste and adjust seasonings if you need to; maybe a dash more soy sauce, or a pinch more sugar. Scoop this beautiful, savory Easy Chow Mein Recipe onto plates. Garnish with those reserved green onions, and maybe a sprinkle of sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy that takeout-level goodness, made right in your own kitchen!