Looking for a restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in under thirty minutes? This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is the perfect weeknight solution for anyone craving savory noodles without the wait for delivery.
Authentic Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
15 MIN
10 MIN
4 PERS
Ingredients
- 1 1 lb Chicken Breast, sliced into strips
- 2 1 tbsp Soy Sauce (for marinade)
- 3 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 4 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 5 1/4 cup Savory Beef Broth
- 6 3 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 7 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce (for sauce)
- 8 1 tsp Brown Sugar
- 9 1/2 tsp White Pepper
- 10 12 oz Lo Mein Noodles (or thick spaghetti)
- 11 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 12 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 13 1 tsp Fresh Ginger, grated
- 14 2 cups Mixed Vegetables (cabbage, carrots, bell peppers)
- 15 3 Green Onions, chopped
Instructions
- 1 Marinate chicken with 1 tbsp soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch for 10 minutes.
- 2 Boil noodles until al dente, drain, and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- 3 Whisk together beef broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and pepper in a small bowl.
- 4 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok, sear chicken until golden, and remove from pan.
- 5 Add remaining oil, stir-fry garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, then add mixed vegetables.
- 6 Toss noodles and chicken back in, pour over the sauce, and stir-fry on high for 2 minutes.
- 7 Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
Why You Will Crave This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Finding a reliable Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is like discovering a secret portal to culinary bliss. Most takeout versions are loaded with hidden fats, excess sodium, and sometimes ingredients you would rather avoid. By making this at home, you take full control over the quality of your protein and the richness of your sauce. This specific version is meticulously crafted to be 100% pork-free and alcohol-free, making it an inclusive choice for various household requirements without sacrificing a single ounce of flavor.
The beauty of the stir-fry method lies in its speed. Once you have chopped your vegetables and marinated your chicken, the actual cooking process takes less time than it would to scroll through a delivery app. By using a high-powered Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor, you can julienne your carrots and shred your cabbage in seconds, making this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe even faster to prepare.
Mastering the Alcohol-Free Stir-Fry Sauce
Traditional Lo Mein often calls for Shaoxing wine to provide a complex, slightly acidic depth to the sauce. However, many home cooks prefer to avoid alcohol for personal or dietary reasons. In this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe, we utilize savory beef broth as the primary liquid base. Beef broth adds a robust, umami-rich character that mimics the fermented notes of traditional cooking wines while keeping the dish accessible to everyone.
To further enhance the sauce, we rely on dark soy sauce and oyster sauce. If you are looking to create a velvety smooth sauce consistency, you can even blend your aromatics like ginger and garlic into the liquid using a Ninja BN751 Professional Plus DUO Blender. This ensures that every millimeter of noodle is coated in a concentrated burst of flavor.
The Secret to Tender Chicken: Velveting
Ever wonder why the chicken in Chinese restaurants is so impossibly tender? The secret is a technique called “velveting.” In our Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe, we achieve this by coating the sliced chicken in a mixture of soy sauce and cornstarch. The cornstarch creates a thin protective barrier that prevents the meat from toughening up under the intense heat of the wok. This process keeps the juices locked inside, ensuring that every bite is succulent and soft.
For those who prefer a different protein, you can easily substitute the chicken with thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin. Just remember our strict rule, never include pork in this preparation. Beef is an excellent alternative that pairs beautifully with the beef broth-based sauce used in this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe.
Essential Tools for the Perfect Lo Mein
While you can certainly make this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe in a standard skillet, a well-seasoned carbon steel wok is the gold standard. The wide surface area and high sloping sides allow you to toss the noodles vigorously, ensuring even heat distribution. If you find yourself prepping large batches of vegetables for multiple meals, using a Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor will save you from the tedious task of hand-slicing bell peppers and cabbage.
If you enjoy a crispy element with your meal, you might consider air-frying some side dishes like spring rolls or broccoli. The Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt is perfect for this, as it roasts vegetables to perfection with minimal oil, providing a healthy accompaniment to your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe.
Noodle Selection: Fresh vs. Dried
The soul of any Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is the noodle. Authentically, Lo Mein uses egg noodles that are thick and slightly chewy. If you can find fresh egg noodles in the refrigerated section of your local Asian grocer, they are highly recommended. They have a superior texture that absorbs the sauce without becoming mushy.
If fresh noodles aren’t available, don’t worry. You can use dried Lo Mein noodles or even standard thick spaghetti or linguine. The key is to boil them just until they are al dente. Since they will finish cooking in the wok with the sauce, you want them to have a bit of “bite” left when you drain them. Always rinse them in cold water after boiling, this stops the cooking process and removes excess starch that could make your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe sticky.
Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers
One of the best things about this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is that it tastes even better the next day. As the dish sits, the noodles continue to soak up the savory beef broth and ginger-garlic aromatics. To keep your leftovers fresh, store them in a Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set. These leak-proof containers are perfect for meal prep, as they go from the fridge to the microwave with ease.
For long-term storage, if you are making massive batches of this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe, consider using a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine. Vacuum sealing portions of the cooked noodles and chicken helps prevent freezer burn and preserves the integrity of the sauce for weeks. When you are ready to eat, simply thaw and reheat in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can adapt this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe by using Tamari or liquid aminos instead of soy sauce and ensuring your oyster sauce is certified gluten-free. For the noodles, use rice-based noodles or gluten-free spaghetti.
What is the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?
Lo Mein refers to “tossed noodles,” where the noodles are boiled and then tossed with sauce and vegetables at the end. Chow Mein refers to “fried noodles,” where the noodles are cooked in oil until crispy before other ingredients are added. This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe focuses on that soft, saucy texture everyone loves.
Can I use beef instead of chicken?
Absolutely. If you prefer beef, use thinly sliced flank steak. Follow the same marinade instructions for the beef to ensure it stays tender during the stir-fry process. Just remember that our recipes never include pork products.
How do I keep the vegetables crunchy?
The trick to this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is high heat and short cooking times. Stir-fry the vegetables for only 2 to 3 minutes. They should be bright in color and have a slight snap when you bite into them.
Final Thoughts on the Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Bringing high-quality flavors into your home kitchen shouldn’t be a daunting task. With this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe, you have a foolproof blueprint for a healthy, satisfying, and incredibly tasty meal. By substituting beef broth for alcohol and choosing high-quality beef or chicken, you create a dish that honors traditional techniques while respecting modern dietary preferences. For more inspiration on meal planning, check out our site map for additional healthy dinner ideas.
Whether you are cooking for a busy family or prepping your lunches for the week, the Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is a versatile staple that never disappoints. Don’t forget to invest in quality storage like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set to make your life even easier. Happy cooking!
