Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

Home All Recipes

By Chris Joe

4.93 from 28 votes

Dec 28, 2023

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Chicken Lo Mein is so versatile – perfect for a weeknight meal or for making a large portion to feed a large group on special occasions, like Chinese New Year! The best part about this dish is you can use any vegetables you have in your fridge – so it’s also great for fridge clearing days!

Learn how to make the best Chicken Lo Mein with all my time saving tips and tricks for making the best takeout style Lo Mein noodle stir fry at home!

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (2)

Watch the Chicken Lo Mein Recipe Video Below!

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (3)

Ingredients for Chicken Lo Mein

Here is everything you’ll need to make the most flavorful, savory Chicken Lo Mein!

Chicken

Vegetables

  • 1medium carrotsliced
  • 3cupscabbagesliced
  • 1/4white onionsliced
  • 5scallionschopped, greens and whites separated
  • 1tbspgingerminced
  • 5clovesgarlicminced

Sauce

Noodles

  • 16ozlo mein noodlesfresh; if using dried noodles, use 12 ounces

Oils

  • 1/2tspsesame oil
  • 3tbspneutral oilI used avocado oil

What type of noodle is best for Chicken Lo Mein?

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (4)

One quick note about the noodle selection for this dish: I recommend buying Lo Mein Noodles due to the bounciness and chewy texture of the noodles. Twin Marquis is my favorite brand, and they also sell a “cooked noodle” version in the fresh noodle section of your grocery store. I do not recommend buying the cooked noodle – stick to the Lo Mein Noodle for best results!

What is the difference between Chicken Lo Mein vs Chow Mein?

Chicken Lo Mein uses thicker noodles that are specifically called Lo Mein noodles, which are typically a wheat based noodle. Chow Mein noodles are a thinner noodle made with egg, and can be found as a fresh or dried noodle. Chow Mein noodles are perfect for dishes like my Chicken Chow Mein (Hong Kong Style)!

INGREDIENTS TIPS

NOODLES
I like the brand Twin Marquis for lo mein noodles – I find them in the refrigerated section at my local 99 Ranch!

CHICKEN
I used chicken breast but you can sub with chicken thighs if that is what you prefer!

NEUTRAL OIL
My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.

MSG
As always, this is optional 🙂

VEGETABLES
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can sub in (or remove) any vegetables of your choice! I used carrots, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and bean sprouts, but always adjust to your liking! This is YOUR dish and I want you to love it!

Pro Tips for the best Chicken Lo Mein!

  • Cornstarch Tip: Instead of making a cornstarch slurry, I added the cornstarch to the sauce to avoid having to make it in another bowl – this saves you both time AND an extra step! Just be sure to mix the sauce again right before adding it to the noodles!
  • Cutting the vegetables: I always recommend cutting your vegetables into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly – this little step makes a huge difference!
  • Noodle tips:
    • Undercook the noodles: Don’t forget that the lo mein noodles will finish cooking in the pan! I always cook my lo mein noodles 1-2 min less than the package instructions call for. This way, they come to my preferred doneness by the time the noodles have absorbed all the sauce the heat continues to cook the noodles when they are stir fried.
    • Rinse the noodles and toss them in sesame oil: After boiling, rinse the noodles immediately with cold water to stop the cooking. Shake them dry and then toss in a tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent the noodles from sticking while you prepare & cook the other ingredients.
Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (5)

Chicken Lo Mein: Recipe Instructions

1. Slice and marinate chicken

Slice your chicken breast into 1/4″ strips against the grain and place in a bowl. Marinate with salt, white pepper, light soy sauce, shaoxing wine, corn starch and avocado oil. Let marinate for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (6)

2. Prepare vegetables and aromatics

Prepare the vegetables, garlic, and ginger and set aside, separating your scallion whites and greens.

3. Mix the Lo Mein stir fry sauce

Premix the stir fry sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, water, cornstarch and msg if using. The oyster sauce and Shaoxing wine will the sauce that restaurant quality umami that is so delicious!

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (7)

4. Cook and rinse the Lo Mein noodles

Cook the lo mein noodles about 2 minutes less than package directions, drain, then rinse with cold water and drain dry. Coat with sesame oil to prevent sticking.

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (8)

5. Sear the chicken

Over high heat, sear your chicken in 3 tbsp of avocado oil for 2-3 minutes or until cooked through and set aside.

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (9)

6. Cook the garlic, ginger and vegetables and finish the Chicken Lo Mein!

In the remaining oil, sauté your garlic and ginger for 15 seconds, followed by the scallion white and vegetables. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly wilted and charred. Add the lo mein noodles, chicken, and sauce and mix thoroughly for 1-2 minutes. Continue cooking until sauce has thickened and is evenly coated. Add scallion greens, mix, and enjoy!

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (10)
Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (11)
Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (12)
Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (13)

If you liked this recipe, be sure to find some of my other popular noodle recipes on the blog:

  • Soy Sauce Pan Fried Noodles (Video)
  • Dan Dan Noodles
  • Spicy Peanut Noodles
  • Beef and Broccoli Noodles
  • The BEST Garlic Noodles

If you make this recipe, please tag me on social media! I love seeing all your recreations onInstagram,Facebook, andTikTok! Tag me and hashtag them#cjeatsrecipes

4.93 from 28 votes

Chicken Lo Mein

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 5

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Save

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (14)

This Chicken Lo Mein is so much better than takeout! It's a delicious noodle dish that can feed a ton of people with only a few, simple ingredients!

Ingredients

Chicken

Vegetables

  • 1 medium carrot, sliced
  • 3 cups cabbage, sliced
  • 1/4 white onion, sliced
  • 5 scallions, chopped, greens and whites separated
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

Noodles

  • 16 oz lo mein noodles, fresh; if using dried noodles, use 12 ounces

Oils

  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp neutral oil, I used avocado oil

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Slice your chicken breast into 1/4" strips against the grain and place in a bowl. Marinate with salt, white pepper, light soy sauce, shaoxing wine, corn starch and avocado oil. Let marinate for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.

  • Prepare the vegetables, garlic, and ginger and set aside, separating your scallion whites and greens.

  • Premix the stir fry sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, shaoxing wine, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, water, cornstarch and msg if using.

  • Cook the lo mein noodles about 2 minutes less than package directions, drain, then rinse with cold water and drain dry. Coat with sesame oil to prevent sticking.

  • Over high heat, sear your chicken in 3 tbsp of avocado oil for 2-3 minutes or until cooked through and set aside.

  • In the remaining oil, sauté your garlic and ginger for 15 seconds, followed by the scallion white and vegetables. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly wilted and charred. Add the lo mein noodles, chicken, and sauce and mix thoroughly for 1-2 minutes. Continue cooking until sauce has thickened and is evenly coated. Add scallion greens, mix, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 432kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 20gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 1273mgPotassium: 325mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 175IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (15)

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

You May Also Like:

Spaghetti and Meatballs (Video)

Jajangmyeon (Video)

Garlic Noodles with Crab (Video)

Bihun Goreng (Video)

Chicken Lo Mein - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is lo mein sauce made of? ›

Most commonly, lo mein involves chicken, beef, pork, turkey, shrimp or tofu. Sauce components: Lo mein sauce is mainly composed of sesame oil, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, garlic, ginger, oyster sauce and a dash of sugar. If you like your noodles to have a little heat, you can sprinkle in some red pepper flakes.

How to make bland lo mein taste better? ›

If you find your lo mein noodles to be bland and want to add more flavor, here are some ways to spice them up: I bring a quart of unsalted chicken stock to a boil, I add soy sauce , a dash of fish sauce and just a bit of sambal bajec.

What is the difference between chicken chow mein and lo mein? ›

“Lo mein usually uses the fat, chewy noodles, while chow mein uses the thin type of noodles that sometimes contain egg.” Lo mein uses fresh noodles that are boiled for a few minutes, while chow mein uses dried noodles that are parboiled for five to six minutes. Then there's the difference in cooking method.

Why does lo mein taste so good? ›

The sauce is what makes this dish so addictive. It's a simple umami filled mix of light and dark soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and a hint of ginger. It's super easy to make a batch of lo mein sauce and keep it in the fridge so you can easily make lo mein whenever the craving hits.

What is the brown sauce in Chinese food called? ›

There are many Chinese sauces that are brown just a few most common, soy sause, oyster sauce, sweet bean, Hoisin

What is the Chinese brown sauce made of? ›

Chicken Broth Version: Combine 1 cup chicken broth (or chicken stock), 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or potato starch) in a saucepan. Mix evenly and make sure there are no lumps. Bring to a boil and keep stirring during cooking.

What do they put in Chinese food to make it taste better? ›

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer that has been widely used for roughly 100 years ( 1 ). In addition to being naturally present in certain foods, it's a common food additive in Chinese recipes, canned vegetables and soups, and other processed goods.

How do you thicken lo mein sauce? ›

Cornstarch! In his book How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, Mark Bittman recommends mixing 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with the same amount of water, and tossing this into the stir fry just when it's almost done. It thickens in seconds, picking up the flavors of everything already in the dish and coating evenly.

Why does lo mein hurt my stomach? ›

Chinese food and soups contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) as the main addictive ingredient. A sensitive individual may suffer from headache, giddiness, sweating, abdominal pain, and urticaria within a few hours of consumption of MSG.

What is healthiest Chinese food to order? ›

13 Healthiest Chinese Food Takeout Options
  • Chicken and broccoli. ...
  • Baked salmon. ...
  • Happy family. ...
  • Buddha's delight. ...
  • Moo shu vegetables. ...
  • Eggplant with garlic sauce. ...
  • Kung pao chicken. ...
  • Shrimp with lobster sauce. Despite its name, shrimp with lobster sauce does not actually contain lobster.

What kind of noodles do you use for lo mein? ›

You want to buy an egg noodle or pasta that's relatively thin and has some tooth. Some common names will be lo mein, chow mein, egg noodles or pancit noodles. Most markets have Japanese yaki soba noodles in the cold case, and those would work perfectly.

Can spaghetti be used for lo mein? ›

For this recipe, you can use virtually any kind of noodle you want. Lo mein traditionally uses Chinese egg noodles which is kind of like spaghetti since it's wheat based, but also has egg. I, of course, can't eat wheat, so I just used brown rice spaghetti which works really well.

How unhealthy is chicken lo mein? ›

Worst: Lo Mein

This mound of noodles has about half the carbohydrates you need all day. The noodles are made from white flour, which raises your blood sugar faster than fiber-rich whole grains. Plus, they're cooked with oil and soy sauce, so you get extra fat and sodium. Can't pass it up?

Do people in China eat lo mein? ›

In China, lo mein often is boiled with vegetables in chicken or shrimp broth. The noodles are strained, seasoned with soy or oyster sauce and served in a bowl. The broth becomes a soup, served alongside. It would seem logical to serve it as noodle soup, but no, this is China.

How do you spice up bland lo mein? ›

Experiment with spices: Spice up your lo mein noodles by adding spices like garlic powder, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, or Chinese five-spice powder. These spices will add a layer of complexity and heat to your dish.

What is a good substitute for lo mein noodles? ›

Some options include:
  • Spiralized vegetables: You can use a spiralizer to turn vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or sweet potatoes into noodles. ...
  • Cabbage: Thinly sliced cabbage makes a good substitute for lo mein noodles and adds a crunchy texture to your dish.
Jan 1, 2023

What sauce do Chinese restaurants use? ›

Soy sauce (jiàng yóu, 酱油), the most common of Chinese sauces, sounds simple, and for the most part, it is.

What is the best Chinese sauce? ›

From soy sauce to rice wine, here are nine essential sauces and seasonings that you won't want to be without.
  • 01 of 09. Soy Sauce. The Spruce. ...
  • 02 of 09. Hoisin Sauce. ...
  • 03 of 09. Rice Wine. ...
  • 04 of 09. Rice Vinegar. ...
  • 05 of 09. Oyster Sauce. ...
  • 06 of 09. Asian Sesame Oil. ...
  • 07 of 09. Chili Paste/Sauce. ...
  • 08 of 09. Chili Bean Sauce.
May 7, 2019

What is lo mein vs chow mein noodle? ›

The experience is somewhat different between the two. Lo mein tends to be saucier and more toothsome, with a texture some describe as “slippery” because of the noodles' softness. Chow mein tends to have a greater variety of textures within the dish, thanks to the added texture that comes from frying the noodles.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 6263

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.