Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken Lo Mein is one of those comforting meals that can transport you straight to your favorite takeout spot without ever leaving your kitchen. Picture this: tender pieces of chicken tossed with vibrant vegetables and soft, chewy lo mein noodles all coated in a tasty sauce. It’s a dream come true for any home cook who loves to whip up something scrumptious and satisfying. Plus, the best part? Making Chicken Lo Mein at home means you can control the ingredients and flavors to get it just right for your palate. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or even a casual get-together with friends. And because it’s a stir-fry dish, it comes together quickly, giving you more time to enjoy the meal and less time slaving away. Let’s dig into what makes Chicken Lo Mein a dish worth making and how you can whip it up step by step!

What is Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken Lo Mein is a classic Chinese dish that features stir-fried chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles, all tossed in a savory sauce. It often comes from the Cantonese cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and quick cooking techniques. The delightful twist on traditional noodles turns the dish into a comforting bowl of goodness. You can easily find it in most Asian restaurants, but the beauty of making it at home lies in your ability to customize every aspect—from the protein to the sauce and veggie combinations.

When prepared correctly, Chicken Lo Mein is a wonderful meal that balances textures and flavors, making it both filling and satisfying. While you can enjoy it as a standalone dish, it also pairs beautifully with appetizers or sides like egg rolls or spring rolls. This dish brings together a harmony of flavors, ensuring that each bite is a delightful experience.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Lo Mein

There are countless reasons to love Chicken Lo Mein! For starters, it’s incredibly versatile. You can tweak the ingredients based on what you have on hand, whether that’s different meats or a variety of vegetables. This means you can make it again and again without it ever feeling boring. Additionally, making it at home saves you money while also giving you complete control over what goes into your dish. No need to worry about preservatives or unnecessary additives here!

You’ll also appreciate how quick and simple it is to whip up. Even on a busy weeknight, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time. The combination of flavors is simply mouthwatering, with savory garlic and a hint of sweetness that will leave you craving more. And let’s not forget that it’s sure to impress family and friends, making it ideal for a cozy dinner party or a casual gathering.

In essence, Chicken Lo Mein is not just food; it’s an experience. It’s about satisfaction, ease of preparation, and flavors that make your taste buds dance. So, grab your apron, and let’s get started!

Ingredients

To make this satisfying Chicken Lo Mein, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (just over 1 lb.)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil (more as needed; can substitute with olive oil)
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 2 ½ cups mixed stir fry vegetables
• 10 oz. lo mein noodles
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup beef broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (can substitute with honey)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s or Sriracha)
• ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Prep Your Chicken Lo Mein

Getting everything ready before you start cooking makes the process smoother. So, let’s prepare our Chicken Lo Mein.

Prepare the Sauce

First, combine all the sauce ingredients, excluding the chicken, in a large measuring cup. Whisk them until they blend together nicely. This step is crucial because you want to ensure the flavors meld beautifully. Next, take about ¼ cup of the sauce and pour it into a medium bowl. That will be used to marinate the chicken.

Prepare the Chicken

If you’d like, you can tenderize each side of the chicken with a meat mallet for a softer texture. Once that’s done, pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Now, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss them in the bowl containing the marinade. Allow it to sit while you continue prepping the other ingredients. This marinating step is key to infusing the chicken with all those delightful flavors!

Make the Stir Fry

Now comes the fun part! Cooking everything together to create a wonderful Chicken Lo Mein isn’t just easy but also really enjoyable.

Sear the Chicken

Heat your peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces. Let them sear undisturbed for about 3 minutes. This gives them a nice golden color. After that, flip them over to brown evenly on all sides, which should take another 2-3 minutes. Once beautifully browned and cooked through, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Deglaze the Skillet

In the same skillet, pour in the dry white wine over medium heat. This process is called deglazing, and it’s fantastic because it lifts all those flavorful brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Scrape them up with a spatula and let it reduce by half, which takes about 2 minutes. This adds depth to the dish’s flavor.

Cook the Noodles

While you’re handling the chicken and wine, you can multitask! In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and add your lo mein noodles. Cook them for just 1 minute less than the package instructions suggest. Once they’re ready, drain them and set aside. Keeping them slightly undercooked means they’ll soak up all that delicious sauce when mixed later!

Stir-Fry the Vegetables

Now, add your mixed stir-fry vegetables to the skillet. If it looks a bit dry, feel free to add more peanut oil as needed. Sauté the veggies for about 3 minutes until they start to soften but still maintain some crunch. Fresh vegetables add both color and nutrition to your dish!

Combine Everything

Pour in the sauce you prepared earlier and bring it to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and gradually add the cooked lo mein noodles. Gently toss everything together until the noodles are coated in that mouthwatering sauce. Finally, add the cooked chicken you set aside earlier and heat the mixture through for another 1-2 minutes. This final step allows all the flavors to come together harmoniously.

Serve and Enjoy

Your Chicken Lo Mein is ready to serve! Garnish it with your favorite toppings—like chopped green onions or sesame seeds—and serve it hot. Enjoy the delightful aroma filling your kitchen while you dig into this wonderful meal.

Serving Suggestions

When you present your Chicken Lo Mein, serve it hot and top it with some freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds for that perfect finishing touch. For a complete meal experience, consider pairing it with crispy egg rolls or fresh spring rolls. The contrast between the hot, savory noodles and the cool crispy rolls makes for a delightful dining option.

Tips for Success

• Be careful not to overcook the lo mein noodles; they should be slightly undercooked. They’ll finish cooking in the stir-fry and soak up all that yummy sauce.
• If you’re a fan of heat, don’t hesitate to increase the amount of hot sauce or red pepper flakes based on your taste preference.

Variations

Feel free to switch things up a bit! You can substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, or tofu based on your cravings or dietary needs. Additionally, mix in different vegetables like bok choy, bell peppers, or snap peas to keep things exciting and fresh.

Storage Tips

If you happen to have leftovers—which is a rare occurrence with a dish this good!—store your Chicken Lo Mein in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last about 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent dryness.

Pairing Ideas

For a delightful culinary experience, Chicken Lo Mein pairs wonderfully with hot and sour soup, adding a contrasting flavor that’s sure to elevate your meal. You could also serve it with a refreshing cucumber salad, balancing the richness of the lo mein nicely.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use different types of noodles for Chicken Lo Mein?
A1: Absolutely! Feel free to use other noodles like egg noodles or rice noodles based on your preference.

Q2: Is Chicken Lo Mein gluten-free?
A2: Traditional soy sauce contains gluten, but you can replace it with gluten-free soy sauce to enjoy a gluten-free version of this dish.

Q3: How can I make Chicken Lo Mein spicier?
A3: Want an extra kick? Simply increase the amount of hot sauce or add sliced fresh chili peppers to your stir-fry.

Q4: Can I freeze Chicken Lo Mein?
A4: It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it for up to a month. Just be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Q5: How can I make my Chicken Lo Mein healthier?
A5: You can easily incorporate a variety of mixed vegetables, and lower the amount of oil or sugar to create a healthier dish.

Making your own Chicken Lo Mein not only lets you tailor flavors to your liking but also brings the joy of cooking right into your kitchen! So roll up your sleeves, enjoy this delicious journey, and impress your family or friends with a meal that’s both easy to prepare and absolutely delightful to eat!

More Easy Lunch & Dinner Recipes:

• Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
• Rotisserie Chicken Salad
• Ina Garten Roast Chicken
• Lamb Loin Chops with Garlic

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Chicken Lo Mein

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Chicken Lo Mein combines tender chicken and fresh vegetables with chewy egg noodles in a savory sauce. It’s an easy, satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (just over 1 lb.)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil (more as needed; can substitute with olive oil)
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• 2 ½ cups mixed stir fry vegetables
• 10 oz. lo mein noodles
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup beef broth
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (can substitute with honey)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s or Sriracha)
• ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

• Combine sauce ingredients (excluding chicken) in a large measuring cup and whisk together.
• Marinate chicken in ¼ cup of the sauce.
• Sear marinated chicken in hot peanut oil until golden, then set aside.
• Deglaze skillet with dry white wine, scraping up brown bits.
• Cook lo mein noodles in salted water until just undercooked, then drain.
• Sauté mixed stir-fry vegetables in the same skillet until slightly soft.
• Pour in the prepared sauce, bring to a boil, then add noodles and toss.
• Mix in the cooked chicken and heat through before serving.

Notes

Keep lo mein noodles slightly undercooked to absorb the sauce better.
Adjust hot sauce or red pepper flakes to your taste for a spicier dish.

• Author: Rachael
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stir-Fry
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 800
• Fat: 14
• Saturated Fat: 2
• Unsaturated Fat: 10
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 52
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 30
• Cholesterol: 60