Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein is a classic Chinese noodle dish that is quick and easy to make at home. Made with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a homemade Asian sauce, these noodles are a well-rounded meal that is savory, flavorful, and delicious.

These stir fry noodles with leftover chicken takes only 20 minutes to make — they’re faster, healthier, and better than ordering takeout. It’s a family friendly dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights.

Why You'll Love these Chicken Chow Mein

• A healthier (and cheaper) alternative to takeout. You are in control of the ingredients when you make chow mein from scratch. Save some money and some room in your daily sodium intake by making these stir fry noodles with leftover chicken at home. It’s just as fast as ordering out — if not faster!
• Made with leftovers. This stir fry noodle recipe comes together quickly because it includes already-cooked chicken that is leftover from your dinner the night before. You can also use a rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey. This recipe is also a great way to clean out any veggies from your fridge.
• Ready in 20 minutes. Chicken chow mein might just be your new go-to for a quick meal on busy weeknights. In only 20 minutes you can have a satisfying, nutritious meal on the table. It is quick and easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time.
• Flavorful and delicious. The combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce is a winning combination that is sure to please the whole family.
• Easy to customize. You can also customize these leftover chicken noodles to suit your tastes by adding in different vegetables, making it spicy, or even switching out the protein for something else. It’s the perfect dinner to make on busy weeknights or for a quick lunch.

Ingredient Notes

To make these easy and delicious Chicken Chow Mein, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• chicken - you will need cooked chicken for this recipe. You can make some specifically for this recipe (such as our Oven Baked Chicken Breast or Air Fry Chicken Breast) or use leftovers you already have. You can also use a rotisserie chicken from the store.
• noodles - chow mein noodles are thin, wheat-based noodles that are used in many Chinese dishes. You can find them at many supermarkets or specialty stores. Alternatively, you can use other types of thin noodles, such as vermicelli rice noodles, udon noodles, or even spaghetti.
• vegetables - We used onions, carrots, bell peppers, bok choy, and broccoli (cut them fresh or use pre-cut broccoli from the produce section to cut back on the work and prep time!). You can also use any vegetables that you have on hand or that you enjoy.
• avocado oil - olive oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil are good substitutes for avocado oil.
• ginger - fresh ginger will have the best flavor, but you can use the same measure of ginger paste or minced ginger in its place. Ginger adds a warm and spicy note to the chow mein and pairs well with the other ingredients.
• soy sauce - soy sauce can vary in saltiness, so you may want to adjust the amount used in the recipe to your liking. Start with less and add more as needed. You can use regular soy sauce or try using a low-sodium variety to reduce the salt content. You can also substitute with coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce.
• rice vinegar - if you don’t have rice vinegar, use white wine or regular white vinegar instead.
• sesame oil - sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor to the stir fry, but you can omit it if you don’t have it.
• black pepper
• white sesame seeds - you can also use black sesame seeds or a mix of the two.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, large mixing bowl, and skillet or wok.

How to Make the Best Chicken Chow Mein Noodles

1. Soak noodles. Soak the dry noodles in a large mixing bowl filled with hot water for 1 minute, or according to the package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
2. Sauté veggies. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot, about 1 minute. Add onion and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add carrot, bell pepper, bok choy, and broccoli, and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add chicken. Add cooked chicken and ginger. Use a spatula to mix well until evenly distributed.

4. Add noodles. Stir in the soaked and drained noodles, and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add sauce. Add soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper. Toss well and cook for another 1-2 minutes until evenly coated.
6. Serve. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

How to Serve

Chicken Chow Mein is delicious and filling meal on its own, or served as part of a complete meal with sides. Here are some of my favorite side dishes to serve these noodles with:

• Vegetables: Serve chicken noodles with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables, such as Oven Roasted Vegetables, Tofu and Mushroom Stir Fry, Roasted Garlic Green Beans, Air Fryer Broccoli, or Stir Fried Lotus Root.
• Rice: Serve chow mein over a bed of Steamed White Rice or brown rice.
• Dumplings: Chicken chow mein is a classic pairing with Chinese dumplings. You can find dumplings at many supermarkets or specialty stores, or you can make your own. Try our Beef Potstickers, Vegetarian Egg and Chive Dumplings, or Pork Dumplings.
• Salad: Serve with an Asian style salad such as Chinese Garlic Cucumber Salad or Asian Chopped Salad.
• Dim Sum: You can also serve these Chinese chicken noodles with other bite-sized snacks such as Chive Pancakes, Spicy Chili Oil Wontons, or Steamed Scallion Buns.

Whether you are enjoying it on its own, with a side of rice, or as part of a larger Chinese feast, these stir fried chicken noodles are sure to be a hit.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Transfer leftover chicken chow mein to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Leftovers can be reheated in a skillet on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through, or in the microwave

How to Freeze

Allow the chow mein to cool to room temperature first, then transfer it to a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the chicken noodles overnight in the refrigerator before reheating it.

More Noodle Recipes

• 25 Best Noodle Recipes
• Peanut Noodles
• Beef Noodle Stir Fry
• Vegetarian Chow Mein
• TikTok Ramen
• Pork Noodles

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