Chinese Chicken Chow Mein Recipe: A Must Try One-Pan Meal

If you're looking for a quick and easy Chinese-inspired meal that's sure to satisfy, look no further than a homemade chicken chow mein recipe. This classic dish features tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and chewy noodles, all tossed together in a savoury sauce that's bursting with flavour. Best of all, it's a 30-minute meal that's perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

To make your own chicken chow mein, you'll need a few key ingredients, including chicken breast, stir-fry vegetables, and chow mein noodles. You can also add in other ingredients like mushrooms, bean sprouts, or water chestnuts for extra crunch and flavor. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even try adding in some seafood like shrimp or scallops for a delicious twist on the classic recipe.

To prepare the dish, start by cooking the chicken in a hot wok or skillet until it's browned and cooked through. Then, add in your vegetables and stir-fry until they're tender-crisp. Finally, add in your noodles and sauce and toss everything together until it's heated through and coated in the sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!

Key Takeaways

• A homemade chicken chow mein recipe is a quick and easy main course that's perfect for busy weeknights.
• You can customize your recipe with different vegetables and proteins, like seafood, to suit your tastes.
• With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that's sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients and Substitutions

When it comes to making chicken chow mein, the quality of the ingredients you use can make all the difference. Here are some tips on choosing the right ingredients and substitutions you can make to customize your dish.

Choosing the Right Noodles

The type of noodles you use can greatly affect the texture and flavour of your chicken chow mein. While some recipes call for thin egg noodles or dried chow mein noodles, we recommend using fresh chow mein noodles that can be found in the refrigerated section of your local Asian grocery store. These noodles have a chewy texture and absorb the flavours of the sauce well.

If you can't find chow mein noodles, you can substitute with thin egg noodles, lo mein, yakisoba, or even spaghetti.

Protein Variations

While chicken is the most commonly used protein in chicken chow mein, you can also use beef, shrimp, pork, or tofu. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some seafood like scallops or squid to your dish.

Vegetable Add-Ins

Carrots, cabbage, and green onions are classic vegetables used in chicken chow mein, but you can add any vegetables you like to your dish. Some popular options include bean sprouts, broccoli, bok choy, celery, snow peas, bell peppers, snap peas, water chestnuts, baby corn, and mushrooms.

If you're making a vegetarian version of chicken chow mein, you can skip the protein and add more vegetables for a hearty and flavourful dish.

When it comes to making the sauce for your chicken chow mein, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and sesame oil are key ingredients. You can also add cornstarch to thicken the sauce and give it a glossy finish.

The key to making a delicious chicken chow mein is to use fresh ingredients, cook the noodles until they're al dente, and stir-fry everything in a hot skillet with vegetable oil. With these tips and substitutions, you can customize your chicken chow mein to your liking and enjoy a satisfying and flavourful meal.

Cooking Techniques

Mastering the Stir-Fry

Stir-frying is a common cooking technique used in Chinese cuisine, and it's essential for making a delicious chicken chow mein. The technique involves cooking small, bite-sized pieces of food in a wok or pan over high heat. The key to a successful stir-fry is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.

To make a stir-fry, start by heating your wok or pan until it's hot. Then add your oil and swirl it around the pan to coat the surface. Once the oil is hot, add your marinated chicken and cook it until it's browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Next, add your vegetables to the pan and stir-fry them until they're crisp-tender. Then add your noodles and sauce and stir-fry everything together until the noodles are heated through and coated in the sauce. Finally, add your chicken back to the pan and stir-fry everything together for a few seconds until it's heated through.

Achieving the Perfect Texture

The texture of your chicken chow mein is just as important as the flavour. To get the perfect texture, you need to use the right type of noodles and cook them properly. Chinese chow mein noodles are the best choice for this dish. They're thin, yellow noodles made from wheat flour and eggs. They have a slightly chewy texture and hold up well when stir-fried.

To cook your noodles, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add your noodles and cook them for 2-3 minutes until they're tender but still slightly firm. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.

When you're ready to stir-fry your noodles, don't add them to the pan until the vegetables are almost cooked. This will prevent the noodles from getting too soft and mushy. Also, make sure you don't overcook your vegetables. They should be crisp-tender, not soft and mushy.

Seafood can also be a great addition to your chicken chow mein recipe. Prawns or shrimp are a popular choice, but you can also use scallops or squid. Simply marinate your seafood in a mixture of soy sauce, shaoxing wine and cornflour, then stir-fry it with your other ingredients. This will add a delicious flavour and texture to your dish.

Sauce and Seasoning

Balancing Flavours

When it comes to making a delicious Chinese Chicken Chow Mein, the sauce and seasoning are the key elements that bring all the flavours together. The sauce should be well-balanced, with a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and savoury flavours.

To achieve this balance, you need to use a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, sesame oil, salt, sugar, water, cornstarch, and rice wine. These ingredients will give your sauce a rich umami flavour that will enhance the taste of your stir-fried noodles.

Homemade Chow Mein Sauce

If you want to make your own Chow Mein sauce, you can find all the necessary ingredients at your local supermarket or online retailers like Amazon. To make the sauce, you will need soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, granulated sugar, chicken broth, and black pepper.

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding more sugar or salt. If you want a thicker sauce, you can add cornstarch to the mixture.

Proposed addition: If you want to add seafood to your Chicken Chow Mein, you can use shrimp or prawns. Simply stir-fry the seafood with the vegetables and add it to the noodles before adding the sauce.

Serving and Presentation

Garnishing for Impact

Garnishing your chicken chow mein dish can make it look more visually appealing and appetizing. One popular garnish for this dish is green onions or scallions, which can be chopped and sprinkled on top of the noodles. You can also add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a nutty flavour and some texture.

If you want to take your presentation to the next level, consider adding some colourful vegetables like sliced bell peppers or carrots. This will add some contrast to the dish and make it look more vibrant.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken chow mein is a filling and satisfying main course that can be enjoyed on its own or with some sides. If you're looking to keep your carbs low, consider serving it with some steamed vegetables or a side salad.

If you're in the mood for something more indulgent, you can pair your chow mein with some fried rice or egg rolls. And if you're feeling lazy, you can always order some Chinese takeout and enjoy your chicken chow mein in the comfort of your own home.

For seafood lovers, you can also add some shrimp or crab meat to your chow mein recipe. The seafood will add a unique flavour and texture to the dish. If you're using shrimp, make sure to cook it separately and add it to the dish at the end to prevent overcooking. Crab meat can be added towards the end of the cooking process to avoid it breaking apart.

Chicken chow mein is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. With the right garnishes and sides, you can elevate your dish and impress your guests.

Nutritional Information

When it comes to Chinese chicken chow mein, many people might wonder about its nutritional value. Here's a breakdown of the essential nutritional information you need to know:

• Calories: One cup (181 grams) of chicken chow mein contains approximately 360 calories. However, this can vary depending on the amount of oil and other ingredients used in the recipe.
• Protein: Chicken chow mein is a good source of protein, with one cup containing around 18g of protein. You can increase the protein content by adding seafood such as shrimp or scallops to the recipe.
• Carbs: One cup of chicken chow mein contains around 22g of carbohydrates. This can be a concern for those who are watching their carb intake, but you can reduce the carb content by using low-carb noodles or by adding more vegetables to the recipe.
• Nutrition: Chicken chow mein contains several essential micronutrients, including Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, and Selenium. Calcium and Vitamin E are not as prevalent but still beneficial.

While chicken chow mein can be a healthy and nutritious dish, it's important to keep an eye on portion sizes and the amount of oil used in the recipe. You can also make the dish healthier by using whole wheat noodles, adding more vegetables, and reducing the amount of salt and sugar used in the recipe.

If you're looking to switch things up, you can also try adding seafood such as shrimp, crab, or scallops to the recipe. These can add a unique flavour and texture to the dish while providing additional nutritional benefits. Just make sure to cook the seafood properly to avoid any food safety concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I replicate takeaway-style chicken chow mein at home?

Making takeaway-style chicken chow mein at home is easier than you think. The key is to use fresh ingredients and to cook the dish quickly over high heat. You can also add a variety of vegetables and meats to customize the dish to your liking.

What's the secret to a simple yet delicious chicken chow mein?

The secret to a simple yet delicious chicken chow mein is to use a good quality chow mein noodle and to cook the dish quickly over high heat. You can also add a variety of vegetables and meats to customize the dish to your liking.

Which noodles should I choose for an authentic chow mein experience?

For an authentic chow mein experience, you should choose egg noodles or wheat noodles. These noodles have a slightly chewy texture and are perfect for stir-frying.

Can you make a tasty chow mein sauce without using oyster sauce?

Yes, you can make a tasty chow mein sauce without using oyster sauce. You can use soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or a combination of both to create a rich and savoury sauce.

What are the key differences between chicken chow mein and Singapore chow mein?

The key differences between chicken chow mein and Singapore chow mein are the noodles and the spices used. Singapore chow mein is made with thin rice noodles and is typically spicier than chicken chow mein.

What ingredients are typically included in a traditional Chinese chow mein sauce?

A traditional Chinese chow mein sauce typically includes soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. You can also add garlic, ginger, and chilli flakes for extra flavour.

If you want to add seafood to your chicken chow mein recipe, you can use prawns, squid, or scallops. These seafood options will add a delicious and unique flavour to your dish.