Name: Homemade Chicken Chow Mein
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized slices); 4-6 Tbsp. oil (divided); 2 14 oz. packages Stir Fry Noodles (heat and serve noodles); 1 medium onion (chopped); 1 16 oz. bag coleslaw mix veggies; 1 cup bean sprouts; 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce; 8 garlic cloves (minced); 2 Tbsp. brown sugar; 2 Tbsp. ginger (minced); 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

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Homemade chicken chow mein is easier to make than you might think and is just as delicious and flavorful as take-out. Make a giant batch because the leftovers are just as good the next day! This post contains affiliate links.

If you like quick and easy Chinese food recipes you’ll LOVE our egg roll bowls! A delicious and healthy 30-minute dinner.

This recipe was originally shared in 2013 and has been updated with new images, a few recipe modifications, and a video.

Watch our step by step video!

What is Chicken Chow Mein

Have you ever done an internet search for a chow mein recipe? It will result in hundreds of variations. I had no idea there were so many ways to make it. I just knew that I always ordered it when I would go to my favorite Chinese food restaurant in California.

When we moved to Ohio I ordered “chow mein” at a Chinese take-out restaurant and received something completely different. The texture was so off that I couldn’t even eat it. Maybe it was just that specific restaurant? I have no idea. If I wanted what was considered “chow mein” in California, I needed to order “lo mein” in Ohio. Once I figured that out I was okay. My kids also love this chow mein recipe and these kids training chopsticks make it way more fun to eat.

How To Make Chicken Chow Mein At Home

I’ve shared my egg roll and steak stir-fry recipes on here before. Now I’m sharing my homemade chicken chow mein recipe. It is quick and easy to make, especially since I use coleslaw mix, like I do in the egg rolls, instead of cutting up veggies. This makes a giant platter that serves 6-8 people. It is even better as leftovers!

Chow Mein Ingredients

Noodles
Chicken thighs
Oil
Coleslaw Mix
Bean Sprouts
Onion
Green Onion (garnish)

SAUCE

LOW SODIUM Soy Sauce
Garlic
Brown Sugar
Ginger
Sesame Oil
White Pepper

My favorite noodles to use are found in the Asian section at the grocery store (Walmart). Each package comes with two pouches. “KA-ME Hokkien Stir-Fry Noodles”. You’ll need two packages (4 pouches) for this recipe. If you can’t find these, refrigerated noodles work great too.

The best tip for cooking Chinese food is HEAT. Cook on high or medium-high the entire time.

Heat a large skillet on HIGH HEAT. Add 2 T. oil. Once the oil is heated, add chicken in a single layer. I like cooking my chicken in two batches instead of piling it all into one. This helps the chicken brown instead of cooking in its juice.

Reduce heat to MED-HIGH. Let cook for 1-2 minutes without stirring to allow it to brown. Flip chicken pieces over and cook for another minute or until golden on both sides. Set chicken to the side on a separate platter.

No need to order out when you have this easy Chicken Chow Mein recipe at your fingertips. Some restaurants call it Lo Mein. A great beginner Chinese recipe and with this secret you don't even have to cut up all the vegetables.

Add 1 T. oil to the skillet and heat on MED-HIGH. Cook onion for 1-2 minutes then add coleslaw mix and sprouts. Fry for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Set veggies aside on a separate platter.

Add another tablespoon of oil to the skillet over MED-HIGH heat and heat your noodles for a minute or so. There is no need to boil or cook these before adding them to the pan.

Once the noodles are hot, add the chicken and veggies back to the pan, pour your sauce over and toss to coat. Cook and toss for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with green onions.