Chicken Chow Mein
Ingredients
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- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs – thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 12 ounces chow mein noodles
- 3 tablespoons neutral oil
- 3 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger – finely minced
- 1 medium yellow onion – thinly sliced
- 1 cup celery – thinly sliced on the bias
- 3/4 cup carrot – julienned
- 2 cups green cabbage – thinly sliced (~0.5 medium green cabbages)
- 2 cups bean sprouts – rinsed and well drained
- 4 each scallions – cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
1. Prep the vegetables and aromatics: mince the garlic and ginger; thinly slice the onion, celery, carrot, and cabbage; cut the scallions into 2-inch pieces; rinse and drain the bean sprouts.
2. Marinate the chicken: in a bowl, toss the sliced chicken with the Shaoxing wine and cornstarch until evenly coated; set aside for 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
3. Make the sauce: in a measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chicken stock, granulated sugar, white pepper, and sesame oil until smooth; keep near the stove.
4. Cook the noodles: bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the chow mein noodles, and cook until just tender but still springy (follow package timing; usually 2–4 minutes). Drain well and shake off excess water; set aside.
5. Stir-fry the chicken: heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until very hot, then add 1.5 tablespoons neutral oil. Spread the marinated chicken in a single layer and sear, stirring once or twice, until opaque and just cooked through, 3–4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
6. Stir-fry aromatics and vegetables: return the wok to high heat and add the remaining 1.5 tablespoons neutral oil. Add the garlic and ginger; stir-fry until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and cabbage; stir-fry until crisp-tender with light char in spots, 2–3 minutes.
7. Combine and sauce: add the drained noodles, the cooked chicken (with any juices), the bean sprouts, and the scallions to the wok. Pour in the sauce and toss constantly with tongs or chopsticks until the noodles are evenly coated, the vegetables are crisp-tender, and the sauce reduces to a glossy sheen that clings lightly, 1–2 minutes.
8. Serve immediately while hot and steamy, with the noodles bouncy, the chicken tender, and the vegetables still vibrant and crunchy.
Chicken chow mein is a high-heat stir-fry of springy egg noodles, tender slivers of chicken, and crisp vegetables bound by a savory, lightly glossy sauce. The flavors balance soy and oyster umami with subtle aromatics of garlic and ginger, plus the fresh snap of bean sprouts and scallions. Texturally, it’s all about contrast: bouncy noodles, juicy chicken, and vegetables that keep their bite. Made quickly in a wok or skillet, it’s satisfying, aromatic, and deeply comforting.
Originating from Cantonese cookery, chow mein (literally “stir-fried noodles”) traveled with Chinese migrants and adapted to local tastes throughout the world. In southern China and Hong Kong you’ll find both soft stir-fried noodles and the famed crisp “Hong Kong” pan-fried noodle cakes, while abroad the dish often includes celery, cabbage, and a slightly sweeter sauce. Chicken has become one of the most popular protein variations, reflecting the dish’s evolution from a regional staple to a global takeout favorite while retaining its Cantonese backbone of technique and flavor.