Chicken Lo Mein
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Nov. 14, 2024
This Chicken Lo Mein is a better-than-takeout meal that’s perfect for meal prep. Use fresh egg noodles or linguini for a dish that’s supremely flavorful and healthy.
In This Article
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Video: watch us make this Recipe
What Is Lo Mein?
Lo mein is a favorite Chinese takeout menu item, consisting of chewy soft noodles, vegetables, and bite-size pieces of chicken, beef, or shrimp. This stir-fry noodle dish is popular for its richly succulent flavors.
Classic lo mein typically calls for fresh Chinese egg noodles, shaped similarly to spaghetti. Fresh egg noodles for lo mein are found at Asian grocery stores. In certain cities, major grocery stores might even carry it in their refrigerated Asian section.
Fresh long egg noodles will give you the most authentic experience, but if you can’t find that, use regular dry spaghetti or linguine noodles.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
Who doesn’t love a good takeout-style meal? This Chicken Lo Mein recipe is a real crowd-pleaser, and here’s why:
- Better Than Takeout: You read that right – this lo mein is better than what you can get at your favorite Chinese restaurant, just like this Chinese Fried Rice.
- Flavorful Without Being Greasy: The combination of the sauce, the noodles, and the perfectly cooked veggies is out of this world, a lot like our Easy Dan Dan Noodles.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This dish reheats well. Make it ahead of time, portion it into meal prep containers, and enjoy it through the week.
- Lean and Healthy: Peppered with lean chicken, vegetables, and mushrooms, it’s a healthy yet super delicious dish that the entire family devours, like our Easy Healthy Orange Chicken.
- Easy and Quick: This is a super easy recipe that’s quick to make. It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Chinese Long Egg Noodles – This is the most authentic option, but you can also use linguine or spaghetti noodles.
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Thighs – Chicken thighs are the most tender and flavorful option. They’re cut into bite-size pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Oyster Sauce – This is a key ingredient in our sauce, adding a deep, savory flavor that’s a little bit sweet.
- Napa Cabbage and Carrots – These vegetables add a wonderful crunch and freshness to our dish. They’re thinly sliced and julienned so they cook quickly and are easy to eat.
- White Pepper – We love using white pepper in this dish for its slightly floral, spicy flavor. If you don’t have any on hand, black pepper will work just fine.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions to try:
- Vegetables: Feel free to go with your favorite veggie combo. Ideas include sliced bok choy, spinach, or even cole slaw mix (just the veggies).
- Add Mushrooms: We love adding sliced shiitake mushrooms, mini Bella mushrooms, or button mushrooms to our chicken lo mein.
- Different Protein: Try thinly sliced beef, shrimp, or ground chicken/turkey.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Boil noodles until al dente according to package instructions, then toss with sesame oil.
- In a bowl, combine chicken with oyster sauce, sugar, ginger, rice wine, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Stir-fry the chicken in a wok at medium-high heat until almost cooked through and set aside.
- In the same wok, stir-fry garlic, cabbage, and carrots. Add ¼ cup water, then cover and cook until the cabbage is soft. Transfer to bowl with chicken-mushroom mixture.
- Add cooked noodles, wine, soy sauce, and oyster sauce to the wok. Stir well and add salt and pepper.
- Next, add the chicken, vegetables, and their juices to the wok of noodles. Stir and cook until fully heated through. Serve warm with sliced scallions as garnish.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Veggies: You can julienne the carrots, mince the garlic, and thinly slice the napa cabbage in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Marinate the Chicken: Feel free to marinate the chicken in the oyster sauce, sugar, ginger, rice cooking wine, soy sauce, salt, and white pepper up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the fridge and let the flavors meld together.
- Entirely Make Ahead: This lo mein can be fully cooked and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop when ready to serve.
What To Serve With Chicken LO Mein
Asian Starters
- Looking for an Asian feast at home? Serve these easy Potstickers (Asian Dumplings) as starters.
- For a refreshing side to serve with Dan Dan noodles, try making this Crunchy Asian Cabbage Ramen Salad.
Asian Stir Fries and Mains
- You’ll love how well these noodles go with some Asian Orange Beef or Szechuan Shrimp Stir Fry.
- You also can’t go wrong with some 30-Minute Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry or Healthy Kung Pao Chicken.
- We also absolutely love serving these noodles along with some Asian Glazed Meatballs and Asian Chicken Skewers.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of noodles should I use for homemade Chicken Lo Mein?
You can use fresh Chinese long egg noodles, which are similar in shape to spaghetti. If you can’t find these, you can also use dry linguini or spaghetti noodles as a substitute.
Can I use a different type of meat?
If you’re not a fan of chicken, you can easily substitute it with beef, shrimp, or even tofu. The cooking times will vary, so make sure to adjust accordingly.
How long does Chicken Lo Mein keep?
Chicken Lo Mein can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Chicken Lo Mein
This Chicken Lo Mein is extremely versatile, hugely flavorful, and better than any takeout! Make it meatless and add any of your favorite veggies for your perfect weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- Oil, for cooking
- 16 ounces Chinese egg noodles, or dry linguine/spaghetti noodles
- 3 TB Asian sesame oil, brown in color, highly fragrant
- 1 LB skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 TB oyster sauce, divided
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ginger, freshly grated
- 3 TB rice cooking wine, divided
- 3 TB regular soy sauce, divided
- table salt
- white pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ head napa cabbage, small, thinly sliced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned or matchstick
- thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large, heavy pot, bring well-salted water to a boil. Cook noodles just until al dente, according to package. Do not overcook.
- Drain, rinse with cold water in a colander, and toss with 3 TB sesame oil. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine uncooked chicken, 1 TB oyster sauce, sugar, ginger, 1 TB rice cooking wine, 1 TB soy sauce, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Mix well.
- In a large wok or large frying pan, add 2 TB cooking oil over medium-high heat. When oil is very hot, stir fry the marinated chicken until almost cooked through. Transfer to a bowl.
- In same wok/pan, add 2 TB cooking oil on medium-high until hot. Add minced garlic, cabbage, and carrots. Add 1/4 cup water and 1/8 tsp salt.
- Cover and stir occasionally about 7 minutes or until cabbage is soft and wilted. Transfer to bowl with chicken-mushroom mixture.
- In same wok/pan, add 2 TB cooking oil on medium-high until hot. Add cooked noodles, 2 TB cooking wine, 2 TB soy sauce, and 2 TB oyster sauce. Stir well. Add pinches of salt and white pepper to taste.
- Add back the chicken, vegetables, and all their juices to the wok of noodles. Stir and cook on medium high until lo mein is fully heated through. Serve warm, with sliced scallions as garnish.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best tenderness and flavor. They are also easier to cut into bite-size pieces and cook quickly.
- You can add 8 oz of your favorite sliced mushrooms; baby bellas, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms all work great.
- If you can’t find napa cabbage, regular cabbage can be used, though the flavor is slightly different.
- Feel free to vary the vegetables: try snow peas, broccoli florets, or thinly sliced red bell peppers.
- This recipe is part of our Chinese Recipe Collection.
- Serve these noodles along with some Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry or Healthy Kung Pao Chicken for a complete meal.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.4g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1.1g | Cholesterol: 17.5mg | Sodium: 376.6mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 2.9g
More to Cook And Eat
- Peanut Noodles with Sesame Ginger Sauce – This peanut noodle recipe has a savory, spicy, and refreshing flavor profile. It’s as easy as it is delicious. Prepare it partially or completely in advance.
- Easy Dan-Dan Noodles – This Dan Dan Noodles recipe is unbelievably easy and so deliciously savory, sweet, garlicky, with a subtle kick.
- Lo Mein Noodles – In mere minutes, you’ll be dishing up unbelievable flavor with this 20-Minute Lo Mein Noodles. Pair it with your favorite protein for the ultimate weeknight meal.
- Mongolian Beef Noodles – This Mongolian Beef Noodle dish will instantly cure any hankering for Chinese food. 200% better than takeout, plus healthier to boot.