Easy Chicken Lo Mein is your shortcut to a delicious, authentic-tasting Chinese takeout classic right in your own kitchen, proving that complex flavors don’t require complicated steps. This recipe is incredibly useful for busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying and flavorful without the long wait or high cost of restaurant delivery.
Key Ingredients for Easy Chicken Lo Mein
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles (fresh or dried, follow package instructions for preparation)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for marinating chicken)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for marinating chicken)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for marinating chicken)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral high-heat oil, divided
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup sliced carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced bell pepper (any color)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated or finely minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (for color and deeper flavor)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- Optional garnishes: chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds
How to Make Easy Chicken Lo Mein
This Easy Chicken Lo Mein recipe is a revelation, offering a symphony of savory, sweet, and umami flavors with a delightful texture. In under 30 minutes, you’ll whip up a dish that rivals your favorite takeout spot, featuring tender chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and perfectly coated noodles. The simplicity of the sauce and the quick stir-fry method make this incredibly satisfying and surprisingly fuss-free.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced chicken with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Toss well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce. The cornstarch will help tenderize the chicken and create a lovely silky coating during cooking.
- Prepare the Noodles: If using dried lo mein noodles, cook them according to the package directions. Typically, this involves boiling them in salted water until al dente. Drain them thoroughly and toss with a drizzle of sesame oil to prevent them from sticking together. If using fresh noodles, they often require a very brief boiling or steaming, so follow your package’s instructions closely.
- Make the Lo Mein Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Set aside. This pre-mixed sauce ensures a quick and easy addition to the wok or skillet, allowing for seamless cooking.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets, sliced carrots, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Cook the Chicken: Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, or remove them temporarily. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the empty space. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Break up any clumps as it cooks.
- Add Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Combine and Sauce: Return the vegetables to the center of the pan if you removed them. Pour the prepared lo mein sauce over everything. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Add Noodles and Finish: Add the cooked and drained lo mein noodles to the pan. Toss everything together gently, ensuring the noodles and ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the noodles to heat through and absorb some of the sauce.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve your Easy Chicken Lo Mein immediately. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Lo Mein
You’ll adore this Easy Chicken Lo Mein for its uncanny ability to deliver authentic Chinese restaurant flavors without the fuss. The star of the show is the irresistibly savory and slightly sweet sauce that coats every strand of noodle and piece of tender chicken, creating a deeply satisfying experience that’s leagues beyond a simple pasta dish. Plus, by making this at home, you’re not only saving a significant amount of money compared to takeout, but you’re also gaining control over the quality of ingredients and sodium levels, making it a healthier and more economical choice for a delicious meal.
The tender marinated chicken, the perfectly crisp-tender vegetables, and the chewy lo mein noodles come together in a harmonious dance of textures and tastes that will transport your palate straight to your favorite Chinese eatery. It’s the perfect dish for both novice cooks and seasoned home chefs looking for a quick, flavorful, and budget-friendly solution to weeknight dinner dilemmas. Don’t just dream about delicious takeout; make it yourself and experience the joy of creating this incredibly satisfying Easy Chicken Lo Mein today!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Easy Chicken Lo Mein will ensure you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the Lo Mein to cool completely before storing. Transfer it into an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: The stovetop is the best method for reheating to maintain the best texture. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the Lo Mein and stir-fry, breaking up any clumps, until heated through. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and prevent sticking.
- Microwave: While less ideal for texture, the microwave is quick. Place the Lo Mein in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.
- Freezing: Lo Mein can be frozen, though the noodles might become slightly softer upon thawing. Let it cool completely. Portion the Lo Mein into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the methods above.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Lo Mein is designed to be your go-to for a quick, flavorful, and remarkably satisfying meal. Don’t hesitate to try it – you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to achieve such fantastic results right at home!
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Easy Chicken Lo Mein
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced chicken with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Toss well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and sauce. The cornstarch will help tenderize the chicken and create a lovely silky coating during cooking.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- If using dried lo mein noodles, cook them according to the package directions. Typically, this involves boiling them in salted water until al dente. Drain them thoroughly and toss with a drizzle of sesame oil to prevent them from sticking together. If using fresh noodles, they often require a very brief boiling or steaming, so follow your package’s instructions closely.8 ounces lo mein noodles, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Set aside. This pre-mixed sauce ensures a quick and easy addition to the wok or skillet, allowing for seamless cooking.1/2 cup chicken broth, 3 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets, sliced carrots, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral high-heat oil, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1/2 cup sliced carrots, 1/2 cup sliced bell pepper
- Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, or remove them temporarily. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the empty space. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Break up any clumps as it cooks.2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other neutral high-heat oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.4 cloves garlic, 1 inch fresh ginger
- Return the vegetables to the center of the pan if you removed them. Pour the prepared lo mein sauce over everything. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly.
- Add the cooked and drained lo mein noodles to the pan. Toss everything together gently, ensuring the noodles and ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the noodles to heat through and absorb some of the sauce.8 ounces lo mein noodles
- Remove from heat and serve your Easy Chicken Lo Mein immediately. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds