If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with flavor yet comes together in a snap, this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is an absolute game-changer. From tender strips of chicken to crisp, vibrant vegetables tossed with perfectly cooked noodles, every bite delivers that quintessential Chinese takeout experience—without the wait or the mystery ingredients. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that feels impressive but requires minimal effort, making it a favorite go-to for busy days when you want something comforting and nourishing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is chosen to contribute not just flavor but also texture and color, making your dish as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate. These simple, fresh elements come together to create something truly special.
- Canola oil: A neutral oil that’s perfect for stir-frying without overpowering other flavors.
- Chicken breasts: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tender bites.
- Garlic: Minced to infuse a bright, aromatic foundation into the dish.
- Ginger: Freshly grated to add warmth and a touch of zing.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Keeps the dish savory without being too salty, with enough depth to elevate the whole recipe.
- Mushrooms: Thinly sliced baby bellas or shiitake bring earthiness and a meaty texture.
- Onion: Finely chopped to add subtle sweetness and crunch.
- Napa cabbage: Finely shredded for a tender-crisp bite and delicate sweetness.
- Matchstick carrots: Offer a bright color and fresh crunch to balance the dish.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Blends everything together with gentle savory notes.
- Cornstarch: Creates the perfect glossy, thickened sauce.
- Sesame oil: Just a touch adds an irresistible nutty aroma.
- Light brown sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness to balance salty and savory flavors.
- Pasta: Twelve ounces cooked to al dente, the classic vehicle for soaking up that flavorful sauce.
How to Make Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating the canola oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Adding the thinly sliced chicken breasts next, cook them until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust and are cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step locks in their juicy tenderness and builds a savory base layer of flavor. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside—your stir-fry magic begins now!
Step 2: Infuse with Garlic and Ginger
With the same pan still hot, toss in the minced garlic and freshly grated ginger. These two aromatics are essential for that signature punch in any lo mein. Sauté them for about 1 to 2 minutes, just until their fragrance fills the kitchen—this is the kind of scent that invites everyone to gather around the stove.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Next, add the thinly sliced mushrooms, finely chopped onion, shredded Napa cabbage, and matchstick carrots to the pan. Give them a good stir-fry for around 3 to 4 minutes. You want the vegetables tender but still crisp, maintaining that delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft noodles and chicken.
Step 4: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, low sodium soy sauce, and light brown sugar. Whisking these ingredients ensures the cornstarch dissolves completely, setting the stage for a silky, thickened sauce that will perfectly coat every strand of noodle and every morsel of chicken and veggies.
Step 5: Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce
Now it’s time to bring everything back together. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and add the drained, al dente pasta. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over all the ingredients, stirring gently but thoroughly. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat every ingredient in a glossy, flavorful embrace that looks as good as it tastes.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is ready to be enjoyed! Serve immediately while it’s warm, and savor the colorful, comforting bowl of noodles packed with nutritious vegetables and tender chicken. This dish will quickly become one of your kitchen favorites—the perfect balance of simple ingredients and delicious taste.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe with garnishes like a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a bit of crunch or some freshly chopped green onions for a pop of freshness and color. If you love a little heat, a few red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil can add a wonderful spicy kick without overpowering the dish.
Side Dishes
This flavorful dish pairs beautifully with simple side dishes like steamed dumplings, crunchy spring rolls, or even a light cucumber salad. These sides complement the comforting lo mein by adding variety in texture and an extra dimension of flavor, perfect for a shared meal or a casual dinner for two.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe in individual bowls with a wedge of lime on the side for a citrusy zing. Alternatively, plating it on a large shallow dish garnished with fresh herbs adds an inviting, family-style presentation. Using colorful vegetable ribbons or edible flowers can also make your meal feel festive and special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To preserve the best texture, allow the dish to cool before refrigerating. The flavors actually deepen over time, making your next meal just as satisfying as the first.
Freezing
If you want to keep this dish longer, freezing is an option, although fresh is best. Freeze in meal-sized portions using freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Keep in mind that some vegetables may soften upon freezing, but the sauce and chicken hold up nicely.
Reheating
Reheat your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if it seems dry. This method helps restore moisture and prevents the noodles from sticking or becoming mushy. Alternatively, microwaving covered in short intervals, stirring in between, works well for convenient warming.
FAQs
Can I use other types of noodles for this recipe?
Absolutely! While traditional lo mein noodles or spaghetti work great, you can also use egg noodles, rice noodles, or even soba noodles. Just make sure to cook them according to their instructions and drain well before adding to the stir-fry.
How do I make this dish vegetarian?
To turn this into a vegetarian Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe, simply substitute the chicken with tofu or extra vegetables like snap peas and bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and keep all the other seasonings the same for a flavorful, meat-free meal.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce, and opt for gluten-free noodles such as rice or shirataki noodles. Also, double-check your broth and other ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free for a safe and tasty option.
Can I prepare any elements ahead of time?
Definitely. You can slice the chicken and vegetables in advance, even up to a day before. You can also cook the noodles ahead of time and refrigerate them until ready to stir-fry. Having these prep steps done prior makes assembling your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe super fast on a busy day.
What’s the best way to achieve that authentic takeout flavor at home?
The key is balancing fresh aromatics like garlic and ginger with the right sauce ingredients—soy sauce, sesame oil, a touch of sweetness, and umami-rich broth. Stir-frying on high heat keeps the veggies crisp and enhances flavor, so don’t rush the cooking process. This recipe captures that perfect harmony of flavors every time.
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully satisfying about making your own takeout-style meal right in your kitchen, and this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe fits the bill perfectly. Its vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and balanced flavors come together quickly for a dish that’s as cozy as it is impressive. Give it a try soon—you might just find it’s your new favorite weeknight dinner to make again and again.
Print
Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Chicken Lo Mein recipe is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken strips, fresh vegetables, and noodles tossed in a savory homemade sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines classic Asian ingredients with simple cooking techniques for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons ginger, grated
- 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 and Oils
- 1 Tablespoon canola oil
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
Other
- 12 oz pasta, cooked according to package directions
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the canola oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat to prepare for stir-frying the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken strips to the hot pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until they become fragrant and release their flavors.
- Cook vegetables: Add the sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, shredded Napa cabbage, and matchstick carrots to the pan. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still maintain a crisp texture.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low sodium chicken broth, cornstarch, sesame oil, low sodium soy sauce, and light brown sugar until smooth to create a flavorful sauce.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to combine evenly.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, vegetables, and noodles. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is well combined.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately for a delicious homemade Chicken Lo Mein.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce and chicken broth to control the salt content.
- Ensure the vegetables are cooked until just tender to maintain their crunch.
- Pasta can be substituted with traditional Chinese egg noodles if desired.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of chili flakes or sriracha sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated within 2 days for best taste.
