Chicken Chow Mein with The Best Chow Mein Sauce

Introduction

There’s something incredibly comforting about a well-made plate of Chicken Chow Mein. This classic Chinese dish, with its flavorful stir-fried noodles, savory chicken, and crunchy vegetables, is a go-to for many families looking for a quick, satisfying meal. But what truly makes this dish stand out is the sauce. The best Chow Mein sauce is what transforms a simple stir-fry into something extraordinary—it’s a rich combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and more that coats each ingredient, making every bite savory, tangy, and slightly sweet.

If you’ve ever wondered how to recreate this restaurant-style chow mein at home, you’ve come to the right place! In this detailed recipe, I’m going to show you how to make Chicken Chow Mein from scratch, complete with an incredibly flavorful chow mein sauce. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or planning a special meal for guests, this recipe is guaranteed to impress.

The beauty of Chicken Chow Mein lies not only in the flavors but also in its versatility. You can easily swap in your favorite vegetables, proteins, or noodles to make this dish uniquely your own. So let’s dive into how to prepare this tasty, saucy, and utterly delicious Chow Mein.

Ingredients

For the Chow Mein:

2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
4 oz chow mein noodles (or ramen noodles as a substitute)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup bell peppers, sliced (red, green, or both)
1 cup cabbage, shredded (green or Napa cabbage)
½ cup carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
1 tablespoon sesame oil (for flavor)

For the Chow Mein Sauce:

3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred for less saltiness)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons rice vinegar (for a slight tang)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or white sugar, depending on preference)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)
¼ cup water (to dilute the sauce)
Optional: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (for a bit of spice)

Why This Recipe is a Game-Changer

If you’ve ever ordered Chow Mein from a Chinese restaurant, you’ll know that it’s a dish that can be both simple and complex at the same time. The noodles are stir-fried with vegetables and your protein of choice, but it’s the sauce that truly makes it memorable. The perfect chow mein sauce is rich, savory, slightly sweet, and has a depth of flavor that makes the entire dish come alive.

In this recipe, we’re creating the best-ever chow mein sauce that you can use in this dish or with any stir-fried noodle or rice dish you prepare. The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil delivers an authentic taste that you can’t beat. Plus, with the help of cornstarch, the sauce has just the right consistency—thick enough to coat the noodles without being too gloopy.

In addition to the amazing sauce, this Chicken Chow Mein recipe is adaptable to various dietary needs and preferences. You can easily switch out the chicken for shrimp, beef, or tofu. You can use any vegetables you like, and if you need to make it gluten-free, you can swap out the soy sauce for tamari and use rice noodles. The possibilities are endless!

How to Make Chicken Chow Mein with the Best Chow Mein Sauce

Making Chicken Chow Mein is easier than you think, especially with the steps broken down clearly. Below, we’ll guide you through the process, ensuring you understand every detail to achieve a perfect dish.

Step 1: Prepare the Chow Mein Sauce

The sauce is the heart and soul of the dish. You want it to be flavorful and balanced, so it complements the noodles, chicken, and vegetables perfectly.

Whisk together the sauce ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir these ingredients until they’re well mixed.
Add sugar and cornstarch: Next, add brown sugar and cornstarch to the sauce mixture. The sugar will bring a subtle sweetness that balances the saltiness from the soy sauce, while the cornstarch helps thicken the sauce as it cooks.
Add water: To help thin out the sauce and make it easier to stir into the noodles, add ¼ cup water. Whisk everything together until there are no lumps, and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
Optional spice: If you like a little heat, you can add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of chili paste to the sauce. This will give your Chow Mein a spicy kick without overpowering the other flavors.

Set the sauce aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Step 2: Cook the Noodles

The noodles are the foundation of the dish, so it’s important to cook them properly.

Boil the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the chow mein noodles (or any other noodle you prefer) and cook according to the package instructions. Usually, this takes about 4-5 minutes for chow mein noodles. Make sure the noodles are al dente—they should be cooked but still slightly firm.
Drain and rinse: Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and immediately rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Toss with sesame oil: After rinsing, toss the noodles with a small drizzle of sesame oil to prevent them from sticking and to infuse a bit of extra flavor.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken and Vegetables

Now comes the fun part—stir-frying everything together to create that perfect texture and flavor balance.

Cook the chicken: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil and let it heat up. Once hot, add the thinly sliced chicken breasts and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Cook the vegetables: In the same wok, add a little more oil if needed. Then toss in sliced onions, garlic, bell peppers, cabbage, and carrots. Stir-fry these vegetables for about 3-4 minutes, or until they’re tender-crisp. You want the vegetables to still have some bite to them—don’t overcook them.
Optional: If you want more complex flavors, you can add a tablespoon of ginger or a handful of mushrooms. Both bring an earthy element to the dish that works really well.

Step 4: Combine Everything

This is where the magic happens—the sauce and noodles come together to make a cohesive, flavorful dish.

Add the noodles: Once the vegetables are cooked, add the prepared noodles back into the pan. Toss them with the vegetables, ensuring everything is mixed evenly.
Pour in the sauce: Give the sauce a quick stir to ensure the cornstarch hasn’t settled at the bottom, and then pour it over the noodles and vegetables. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.
Add the chicken: Finally, add the cooked chicken back into the pan and give it all a good stir. You want the chicken to be mixed in with the noodles and vegetables.
Garnish and serve: Drizzle the dish with a little extra sesame oil for an added nutty flavor, and garnish with chopped green onions. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor.

Servings and Timing

Servings: This recipe serves about 4 people.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Variations

While this recipe is already delicious, there are many ways to customize it:

1. Vegetarian Chow Mein

For a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken with tofu, tempeh, or more vegetables. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, then cube it and sauté it until crispy.

2. Shrimp Chow Mein

Shrimp is a fantastic protein choice for Chow Mein. It cooks quickly, so add it to the pan at the same time you would add the chicken. Use medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined.

3. Beef Chow Mein

Substitute thinly sliced beef for the chicken. Flank steak or sirloin works well here, as these cuts are tender and cook quickly.

4. Gluten-Free Chow Mein

If you need a gluten-free version, replace the chow mein noodles with rice noodles or any gluten-free noodle. You should also use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep the dish gluten-free.

5. Spicy Chow Mein

For a spicy kick, add fresh chili peppers or extra crushed red pepper flakes. You can also drizzle a bit of Sriracha or chili paste into the sauce for heat.

Storage and Reheating

If you have any leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat your Chicken Chow Mein:

Storage:
Store any leftover Chow Mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The noodles will continue to absorb the sauce, making it even more flavorful the next day.

Reheating:
Reheat the Chow Mein in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if it’s too thick. Stir frequently to ensure even heating. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make Chicken Chow Mein ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is perfect for meal prep! You can make the entire dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it when ready to serve.

2. Can I use other noodles for Chow Mein?

Yes! If you can’t find chow mein noodles, ramen noodles or spaghetti noodles work well as substitutes. You can also use rice noodles for a gluten-free option.

3. How do I make Chow Mein noodles less sticky?

After cooking the noodles, rinse them under cold water and toss them with a small amount of sesame oil to prevent them from sticking together.

4. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely! Feel free to add more vegetables like snow peas, broccoli, or mushrooms. Just be sure to cook them until they’re tender-crisp.

5. What can I substitute for oyster sauce?

If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can use mushroom soy sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce, both of which have a similar umami flavor.

Conclusion

This homemade Chicken Chow Mein with the best chow mein sauce is a must-try for anyone craving a delicious, comforting stir-fried noodle dish. With the right balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, this recipe brings the taste of your favorite Chinese restaurant into your home kitchen.

It’s an incredibly versatile dish that you can adjust to suit your tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you stick with chicken, try shrimp, or make it vegetarian, the flavor-packed sauce and perfectly stir-fried noodles will have you coming back for seconds. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your wok and start cooking!

Enjoy your meal, and don’t forget to share the recipe with friends and family.