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A close-up shot of a white bowl filled with delicious homemade Pancit Canton with chicken, cabbage, and other vegetables.

Classic Chicken Chow Mein

A vibrant and savory Chicken Chow Mein featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and chewy noodles tossed in a rich, umami-packed sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend fake-out.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into thin strips
For the Chow Mein Sauce
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce for color
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 tbsp water or chicken broth
For the Noodles and Vegetables
  • 12 oz fresh chow mein noodles or dried egg noodles
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
  • 1 cup julienned carrots
  • 1 cup sliced cabbage
  • 1 cup snow peas
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/2 cup sliced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2-3 sliced green onions for garnish

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Wok or Large Skillet
  • Large Pot
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Tongs or Spatulas

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, combine chicken strips with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
Prepare the Chow Mein Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, white pepper, cornstarch, and water/chicken broth until smooth. Set aside.
Cook the Noodles
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add chow mein noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 2-4 minutes for fresh, 5-7 for dried). Drain well, rinse with cold water to prevent sticking, and toss with 1 tsp of vegetable oil. Set aside.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. Remove chicken from the wok and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
  1. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to the wok. Add carrots, cabbage, and yellow onion. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender-crisp. Add snow peas, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Combine and Finish
  1. Return the cooked chicken to the wok with the vegetables. Add the cooked noodles and bean sprouts. Give the prepared chow mein sauce another quick whisk and pour it over the noodles and vegetables. Toss everything together vigorously using tongs or spatulas, ensuring the sauce coats all ingredients evenly, for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is well combined and heated through.
Serve
  1. Transfer the Chicken Chow Mein to serving plates. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor and heat, add a dash of chili garlic sauce or sriracha when serving. You can also customize vegetables based on preference, e.g., bell peppers, mushrooms, or broccoli florets.