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Home » Main Dishes Recipes » Chicken Main Dishes

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

Updated: May 4, 2026 · Published: Apr 24, 2025 by Sana Umer · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Chicken Chow Mein combines tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and savory noodles in a delicious homemade sauce that takes this dish to the next level. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it's easy and satisfying.

Whether you’re using fresh or dry noodles, they absorb the savory sauce, making every bite rich in taste. The chicken is cooked to perfection, providing a juicy contrast to the crunchy vegetables. What really makes this dish special is the sauce.

The homemade Chow Mein sauce is what elevates the dish with its combination of soy sauce, hoisin, and sesame oil. The chow mein noodles are stir-fried with the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

You can substitute the chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu to suit different dietary preferences. Plus, the vegetables can be swapped out to your liking, so you can make the dish as colorful and nutrient-rich as you desire.

This recipe is also highly customizable. Not only is this recipe delicious, but it's also quick and easy to prepare. In just under 30 minutes, you can enjoy a flavorful, homemade meal that rivals any takeout.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: This recipe is made in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or quick meals.

  • Flavor-Packed Sauce: The homemade Chow Mein sauce is rich in umami, adding the perfect balance of salty and sweet.

  • Crispy Vegetables: Stir-frying the vegetables keeps them crispy and fresh, offering a nice crunch in every bite.

  • Customizable: You can easily swap the chicken for other proteins like beef, shrimp, or tofu for variety.

  • One-Pan Meal: This recipe requires just one pan, which makes for easy cleanup after cooking.

  • Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults, making it a great family meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 4 oz chow mein noodles
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sliced bell peppers
  • ½ cup sliced carrots
  • ½ cup broccoli florets
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon green onions, chopped

Directions:

  • Step No.1: Cook the noodles
    Boil a pot of water and cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles and set aside.

  • Step No.2: Sauté the chicken
    In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

  • Step No.3: Stir-fry the vegetables
    In the same pan, add the sliced bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

  • Step No.4: Prepare the sauce
    In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, chicken broth, and crushed red pepper flakes.

  • Step No.5: Combine the chicken, noodles, and sauce
    Add the cooked chicken and noodles to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over everything and toss to coat evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.

  • Step No.6: Serve and garnish
    Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Chicken Chow Mein!

Tips for Success:

  • Use fresh vegetables: Fresh vegetables retain their crispness when stir-fried, making your dish much more flavorful and enjoyable.

  • Don’t overcook the noodles: Keep an eye on the noodles to avoid overcooking. They should be tender, not mushy.

  • Adjust spice level: If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

  • Use high heat for stir-frying: Stir-frying on high heat helps cook the vegetables quickly while preserving their crunch.

  • Pre-make the sauce: Prepare the sauce ahead of time for an even quicker cooking process when you're ready to make the dish.

  • Serve with rice: Although the noodles are delicious, serving this dish with steamed rice makes for a more complete meal.

Variations:

  • Swap the protein: You can substitute the chicken with beef, shrimp, or tofu for a different protein option.

  • Add more veggies: Feel free to add vegetables like mushrooms, baby corn, or snap peas to enhance the dish.

  • Make it vegetarian diet: For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add extra vegetables or tofu for a hearty vegetarian version.

  • Use different noodles: If chow mein noodles aren’t available, you can substitute them with lo mein noodles or even spaghetti.

  • Add extra spice: For a spicier version, consider adding chili paste, fresh chili peppers, or a dash of hot sauce.

  • Go gluten-free diet: Use gluten-free soy sauce and noodles to adapt this recipe for a gluten-free meal.

Serving and Storage

Serving:

Serve your Chicken Chow Mein immediately while hot. Garnish with fresh green onions and serve with a side of steamed rice for a complete meal.

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

FAQ

Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can add vegetables like snap peas, mushrooms, or zucchini to customize the dish to your liking.

How can I make this dish spicier?

Increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add fresh chili peppers to the sauce for more heat.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Simply omit the chicken and add extra vegetables or tofu for a hearty vegetarian version.

How do I make the sauce ahead of time?

You can mix the sauce ingredients in advance and store them in the fridge for up to a week.

Chicken Chow Mein with the Best Chow Mein Sauce is the ultimate dish for satisfying your craving for Chinese takeout.

With tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and a flavorful sauce, this dish is a great option for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.

The sauce is easy to make, giving this dish an authentic taste without needing to order takeout.

The balance of savory flavors and textures makes this meal so enjoyable, and the best part is that you can customize it to suit your preferences.

Whether you want to add more veggies, try a different protein, or adjust the spice level, this recipe is adaptable to fit your tastes.

Plus, it’s a one-pan meal, making cleanup a breeze.

This Chicken Chow Mein is a hit with the whole family, and its versatility makes it the perfect choice for any night of the week.

Enjoy this delicious meal and skip the takeout—your homemade version will taste even better!

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN WITH THE BEST CHOW MEIN SAUCE

Sana Umer
This Chicken Chow Mein is a deliciously flavorful dish packed with tender chicken, vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles. Tossed in the best chow mein sauce, it’s a quick and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 people
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chow Mein:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 lb chicken breast thinly sliced
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, onions
  • 4 cups chow mein noodles or any stir-fry noodles
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 2 green onions chopped

For the Chow Mein Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water for thickening

Instructions
 

Cook the Noodles:

  • Cook the chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper. Set aside.

Stir-fry the Chicken:

  • Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables:

  • In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.

Combine:

  • Add the cooked chicken and noodles to the pan. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together. If the sauce needs thickening, add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.

Serve:

  • Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Notes

  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also slice the chicken and prep the veggies in advance for quicker cooking.
  • Customizing the Flavor: Feel free to add more heat with chili paste or red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier dish. You can also switch up the veggies based on your preference or what's in season.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve with a side of steamed rice or top with additional green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor.
  • Allergy-Friendly Options: For a gluten-free version, use tamari in place of soy sauce and ensure the noodles are gluten-free.
  • Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave before serving.
Keyword Capsicum and chicken stir-fry, Chicken chow mein, easy chow mein, homemade chow mein, stir-fried noodles

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About Sana Umer

I'm Sana Umer — the home cook behind every recipe on For Foodie Friends. I'm a Pakistani-American mom of two based in the US, and I've been cooking seriously for about a decade now, mostly because feeding a family every day is the fastest way to learn how to actually cook.

I'm completely self-taught. I learned by watching my mother in Pakistan, by burning a lot of food in my early years, and by paying attention to which recipes worked and which ones needed fixing. I don't specialize in just one cuisine — I cook the Pakistani dishes I grew up with, the American desserts my kids request, weeknight dinners, holiday roasts, and everything in between.

Every recipe is personally tested in my own kitchen, every word is written by me, and every photo is taken of food I actually made.

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Hi, I'm Sana Umer — the home cook, recipe tester, and writer behind For Foodie Friends.

I'm a Pakistani-American mom based in the US. I learned to cook in two kitchens — my mother's in Pakistan, where I grew up watching whole spices bloom in oil, and my own kitchen now, where I cook for my husband and kids.

Every recipe on this site has been tested in my own kitchen, often more times than I'd like to admit, before it ever made it here. I cook a little bit of everything: the Pakistani comfort food I grew up with, the American desserts my kids beg for, weeknight dinners that need to come together fast, and the holiday spreads that take all day.

If a recipe is on this site, it earned its place. No ghostwriters, no AI shortcuts, no copy-paste from somewhere else — just real recipes from a real kitchen, written to actually work the first time you make them.

Welcome to my corner of the internet.

— Sana

More about me →

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