Name: Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Cantonese
Ingredients: 12 oz chow mein noodles; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.; 3 tbsp sesame oil; 2 large carrots, peeled + sliced diagonally; 4 cups shredded cabbage; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tsp freshly minced ginger; 1/2 cup sliced green onions; 3 tbsp oyster sauce; 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar; 1/2 tsp salt (add more or less to taste); 1/4 tsp black or white pepper

Jump to Recipe

This page contains some affiliate links. Please review my disclosure policy.

This real chicken chow mein recipe tastes just like restaurant quality but can be made in your home kitchen! Make this traditional Cantonese dish in 30 minutes for a healthier and quicker alternative to take-out!

chow mein noodles with chicken carrots, cabbage and green onions in a white plate.

Honestly, this is the most delicious recipe I’ve posted lately! It’s made with thin and crispy chow mein noodles, succulent chicken and crunchy and flavorful vegetables for a full meal that literally everyone in your family will love.

Now this might not be the most traditional recipe you’d find in a Cantonese home kitchen, it is most similar to the Americanized version of chicken chow mein that many of us have come to love. Think Panda Express but way way better! Let’s discuss…

Why You Should Make This Chicken Chow Mein Recipe:

If the pictures don’t sell it for you, here’s why you should make this delicious chicken chow mein recipe:

Ready in 30 minutes: this recipe can be prepped and on the table in 30 minutes. We love a quick and easy weeknight meal!
Flavors are delicious: You really can’t go wrong with stir-fried noodles. The sauce ingredients are packed full of flavor and because no one should have to eat a boring meal.
Full of protein and veggies: with chicken thighs and veggies you’ve got a full meal-in-one with the chow mein recipe.

What Is Chow Mein?

In Cantonese “Chow Mein” literally translates to “fried noodles” or “pan-fried noodles”. Typically chow mein noodles are boiled briefly, drained and then are pan-fried or stir-fried with veggies, protein and a sauce.

Chow mein noodles are often thin egg noodles, whereas lo mein noodles are a bit thicker and flatter. Both come in pre-cooked or dried versions and can be used in this easy chicken chow mein recipe.

I’ve been able to find chow mein noodles at most conventional grocery stores but many Asian markets would also carry them.

Ingredients Needed

Chow Mein Noodles – as discussed above, these come in several versions but for this recipe I typically use dried chow mein noodles.
Chicken thighs – I prefer using chicken thighs in stir fries because I find the flavor is best but you can easily substitute chicken breasts or a different protein.
Oyster sauce – this is made from fermented oysters. For obvious reasons this is not vegan so see note below about making this recipe vegan, if desired.
Soy sauce – I like using low-sodium soy sauce to control the sodium amount.
Cornstarch – this helps to thicken the sauce. Feel free to use arrowroot or tapioca starch in place.
Rice Wine Vinegar – for a little acidity.
Sesame Oil – I’m cooking with sesame oil in this recipe but you can use a more neutral oil like vegetable oil, if desired.
Carrots – my preference is to use sliced carrots on a diagonal to maintain their crunch.
Cabbage – feel free to use any kind of cabbage, just keep it thinly sliced.
Garlic – For flavor.
Ginger – Ideally use freshly grated ginger.
Green Onions – for topping.
Salt and black or white pepper – white pepper would be more traditional but either work. Adjust salt to desired preference.

How to Make Chicken Chow Mein

STEP 1: BOIL NOODLES

Cook your chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain immediately and set aside.

chow mein noodles cooked and drained in a white colander.

STEP 2: MAKE SAUCE INGREDIENTS

In a medium bowl combine all sauce ingredients and set aside.

chow mein sauce ingredients in a blue and white bowl with a whisk

STEP 3: COOK CHICKEN

Using a large pot or wok at medium-high heat add 2 tbsp of sesame oil and your bite-sized pieces of chicken. Top with salt and pepper and sear on each side so lightly browned. Remove from pot and set aside.

STEP 4: COOK VEGGIES

Add remaining sesame oil to your pot or wok and add your veggies (carrots and cabbage) and cook for 3-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and minced ginger and cook for 1 more minute.

STEP 5: COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS

Add your chicken and cooked chow mein noodles to your pot or wok and toss with sauce ingredients. Cook until noodles are fully saturated with sauce and have become slightly crispy. Top with green onions and serve.

cooked chicken chow mein in a white bowl topped with green onions.

Easy Swaps + Substitutions

Make it gluten-free – to make this chicken chow mein recipe gluten-free you’ll need to substitute your chow mein noodles for a gluten-free option like rice noodles and replace the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari. You’ll also need to check the ingredients on your oyster sauce as some contain soy sauce so substitute for a gluten-free oyster sauce, if necessary.
Make it vegan – this recipe will be a bit of a challenge to make vegan if you want to keep the flavors traditional. However, you could replace the chow mein egg noodles with thin rice noodles, substitute the oyster sauce for hoisin sauce (which doesn’t have the same flavor but will be delicious) and omit the chicken. For vegetarians who eat eggs and fish you can just omit the chicken.
Swap the vegetables – In this chow mein recipe I use carrots and cabbage but any veggie can easily be substituted. Some ideas include mushrooms, celery, bean sprouts or bell pepper.
Change the protein – This recipe uses chicken thighs but you could easily sub in chicken breast, beef, shrimp, pork or even a plant-based protein like chickpeas.

Storage Instructions

Store chicken chow mein recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on stove top or in microwave.

chicken chow mein in a white shallow bowl with silver chopsticks.

More Noodle Recipes: