If you’re craving a meal that’s delightfully savory, bursting with vibrant veggies, and comforting in every bite, this Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is absolutely the answer. It’s one of those dishes that feels both indulgent and fresh at the same time, combining tender chicken strips with a medley of crisp vegetables all tossed in a glossy, flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or hosting friends, this recipe never fails to deliver a satisfying, colorful plate that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Trust me, once you try this Chicken Lo Mein Recipe, it will quickly become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Chicken Lo Mein Recipe plays a vital role, from the tender chicken to the fresh vegetables and the perfectly balanced sauces. Each element adds a layer of flavor, texture, or color that makes this dish truly exceptional while remaining surprisingly simple to prepare.
- Canola oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, perfect for stir-frying the chicken and veggies without overpowering flavors.
- Chicken breasts: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tender results that soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Garlic: Minced to add an aromatic punch and depth to the dish’s flavor profile.
- Ginger: Freshly grated to give a zesty, warming spice that brightens every bite.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Used both during cooking and in the sauce to impart savory umami without too much saltiness.
- Mushrooms (baby bellas or shiitake): Thinly sliced for an earthy note and satisfying texture contrast.
- Onion: Finely chopped and cooked until tender, adding subtle sweetness and aroma.
- Napa cabbage: Finely shredded to introduce a fresh crunch and lightness to the noodles.
- Matchstick carrots: Adds a pleasant sweetness and vibrant splash of orange to brighten the plate.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Essential for creating the sauce base, which keeps the dish moist and richly flavored.
- Cornstarch: A kitchen magician that thickens the sauce to silky perfection.
- Sesame oil: Just a touch to drizzle in for that unmistakable nutty aroma and flavor.
- Light brown sugar: Balances the saltiness with a mild sweetness that rounds out the sauce beautifully.
- Pasta: Cooked according to package directions; this is the comforting base that holds all those incredible flavors together.
How to Make Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Begin by heating the canola oil in a large skillet over high heat. Toss in the thin strips of chicken together with minced garlic, grated ginger, and a splash of soy sauce. Cook everything for about 4 to 5 minutes until the chicken is beautifully browned and infused with those fragrant aromatics. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan but don’t worry about scraping up those delicious browned bits – they’ll add a ton of flavor later.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Next, add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onions to the same pan. Stir and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent, and the mushrooms begin to release their earthy juices and brown slightly. Now it’s time to stir in the shredded Napa cabbage and matchstick carrots. These fresh veggies need just about 3 minutes to soften up while retaining a delightful crunch that will balance the dish perfectly.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While your veggies are cooking, whisk together the chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, additional soy sauce, and light brown sugar in a small bowl. Pour this flavorful mixture over the veggies in the pan, bringing it all to a gentle boil. This step lets the sauce thicken up just right – silky and clingy with that beautiful shine that makes every bite irresistible.
Step 4: Combine Chicken and Veggies
Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir everything together. The chicken and vegetables get lovingly coated in that luscious sauce, melding all those savory flavors and creating a harmonious mix of textures. Keep stirring until the sauce has thickened to your liking, enveloping each piece with flavor.
Step 5: Toss with Pasta
Finally, add the cooked pasta into the skillet. Use tongs or a large spoon to gently toss everything until the noodles are fully coated with that rich sauce and evenly mixed with the chicken and veggies. This is where everything comes together, turning simple ingredients into a satisfying, mouthwatering meal.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Before serving, sprinkle sliced green onions over the top to add a fresh, slightly sharp contrast and a pop of green color. It’s the little finishing touch that makes this Chicken Lo Mein Recipe look as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like sliced green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds elevates the dish, bringing fresh notes and a little crunch that complement the silky noodles and tender chicken perfectly. You can also drizzle a little extra sesame oil for added aroma and richness if you’re feeling indulgent.
Side Dishes
Chicken Lo Mein doesn’t really need much to shine, but if you want to round out your meal, try serving it alongside steamed dumplings, a light broth-based soup, or even some crisp spring rolls. These sides add contrasting textures and flavors to keep the meal exciting without overpowering the main dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Chicken Lo Mein Recipe in individual bowls topped with a fried egg or crunchy peanuts for added texture. Using colorful serving dishes or layering with freshly chopped herbs like cilantro can also transform this humble noodle dish into a visually stunning centerpiece that invites everyone to dig right in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chicken Lo Mein keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles soak up the sauce even more overnight, making reheated portions extra flavorful and satisfying the next day.
Freezing
While you can freeze Chicken Lo Mein, it’s best to do so without the noodles, as pasta tends to get mushy when thawed. Store the chicken and vegetable mixture separately in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then reheat and toss with freshly cooked noodles when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. Stir often to heat evenly and avoid drying out the chicken or noodles. The flavors will revive beautifully with just a few minutes of reheating.
FAQs
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Shrimp, beef, pork, or even tofu are fantastic alternatives that work well in this Chicken Lo Mein Recipe. Just adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure your protein is perfectly cooked and tender.
What type of noodles work best for lo mein?
Traditional lo mein uses egg noodles, but spaghetti or linguine are great substitutes if you can’t find them. Just cook according to package instructions and rinse with warm water to prevent sticking before tossing with the sauce.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not by default, but you can easily add chili flakes, fresh sliced chili peppers, or a dash of Sriracha to give your Chicken Lo Mein Recipe a spicy kick tailored to your taste buds.
How can I make the dish more vegetable-heavy?
Feel free to amp up the veggie content by adding bell peppers, snap peas, broccoli florets, or bean sprouts. Just remember to adjust cooking times slightly so everything stays crisp-tender.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead for meal prep?
Definitely. You can cook the chicken and veggies in advance and store them separately from the noodles and sauce. When ready to eat, just warm all components and combine for a fresh-tasting meal that’s quick to assemble.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that effortlessly comes together in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy cooks who don’t want to compromise taste. Its balance of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and savory sauce is simply irresistible. I genuinely hope you enjoy making and sharing this dish as much as I do – it’s comfort food with a fresh twist, and I promise it’ll become a staple in your home cooking repertoire before you know it.
Print
Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Chicken Lo Mein is a flavorful and easy-to-make Chinese-inspired stir-fry featuring tender chicken strips, fresh vegetables, and a savory soy-ginger sauce. Tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, this dish is a quick and satisfying meal that brings vibrant Asian flavors to your table in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons ginger, grated
- 2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
Vegetables
- 1 (8 oz) mushrooms, thinly sliced (baby bellas or shiitake)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups Napa cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
Sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta, cooked according to package directions
Garnish
- Sliced green onions for serving
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat canola oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken strips along with minced garlic, grated ginger, and 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce. Stir and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan, leaving behind any liquid and oil.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add sliced mushrooms and chopped onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onions soften and mushrooms become lightly browned. Then add the shredded Napa cabbage and matchstick carrots, cooking everything together for an additional 3 minutes to soften the cabbage slightly while retaining some crunch.
- Prepare the sauce and thicken: While vegetables cook, whisk together chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, ¼ cup soy sauce, and light brown sugar until smooth. Pour this sauce mixture over the cooked vegetables in the skillet. Bring to a boil and let it cook for 1 minute to activate the cornstarch and thicken the sauce.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the browned chicken strips to the pan with the vegetables and sauce. Stir everything to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly and allow the sauce to thicken further over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Toss with pasta: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly so the sauce and ingredients are well combined, ensuring every strand of pasta is coated and flavorful.
- Garnish and serve: Serve the Chicken Lo Mein hot, garnished with freshly sliced green onions for a fresh, bright finish.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce and chicken broth to control saltiness.
- Thinly slicing the chicken and vegetables helps them cook quickly and evenly.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for the most vibrant flavors.
- Feel free to substitute pasta with traditional Chinese egg noodles if desired.
- Adjust vegetables based on your preference, adding bell peppers or snap peas for variety.
