Chicken Chow Mein

What's Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken chow mein is a popular Chinese dish that is enjoyed worldwide. It combines tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and savory sauce in a perfect balance of flavors. This recipe will teach you how to make a healthier alternative to takeaway chicken chow mein that is full of nutrients and flavor.

Top Tips and Secrets for Making the Best Chicken Chow Mein

• Marinate the chicken pieces to ensure they become tasty by themselves.
• To ensure your chicken pieces are not overcooked, cook them separate in the pan just by themselves.
• To ensure your vegetables don't become overcooked, stir-fry the vegetables by themselves. Stop cooking while they still have a bit of crunch as will finish cooking them with the noodles, chicken and sauce.
• When stir-frying the vegetables, start with the ones that are the hardest (bell pepper and carrots) and finish off with the softest (beansprouts).
• When cooking the egg noodles, no need to boil the water. Hot water is enough.
• Do not overcook the noodles by submerging them too long in the hot water. Remember that we will finish cooking the noodles off in the pan.
• If you notice too much runny liquid in your wok, add a tsp of cornflour mixed in a teaspoon of water. This should thicken the juices up. Try to work quickly to avoid overcooking the other ingredients.

What Makes Chicken Chow Mein So Good?

There are a few factors that contribute to the deliciousness of chicken chow mein.

First, the combination of tender chicken, soft noodles, and crunchy vegetables creates a satisfying texture.

The savory sauce, which is typically made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other seasonings, adds depth of flavor to the dish.

Finally, the use of fresh ingredients and the cooking method, which typically involves stir-frying, helps to preserve the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables.

Overall, the combination of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques in Chicken Chow Mein make it a tasty and satisfying dish.

What is in Chow Mein?

• Egg Noodles: These egg noodles should be readily available at your grocery store. If you can't find any, you can go ahead and substitute your favourite noodles. There are even groceries selling pre-cooked egg noodles that you can simply mix into your stir fry.
• Vegetables: Feel free to use any spare vegetables in this dish. We chose bell pepper, carrots and bean sprouts but these can easily be substituted with broccoli, mushrooms, leeks, etc. Watch out for too much liquid in your dish from the vegetables. If you notice too much moisture leaking down at the bottom of your wok, you can thicken this up with 1 tsp of cornflour mixed with 1 tsp of cold water.
• Protein: When using chicken, pork or beef, ensure to marinade them for at least 4 hours to ensure you can get full flavour from them. For a vegetarian option, you can use firm tofu instead.
• Sauce: The sauce is a mix of oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar. The light soy sauce and oyster sauce adds saltiness and umami to the dish. The dark soy sauce adds color. The sugar adds a bit of sweetness and some caramelisation to the dish. And finally, the sesame oil adds a distinctive earthy flavour to the dish.
• Sauce Thickener: If you see your dish suddenly oozing with too much liquid, then you can thicken the sauce up with a tsp of cornflour mixed with a teaspoon of cold water. Stir this up quickly so that the rest of the ingredients don't overcook.

Ingredients

Marinated Chicken

• 100g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sugar

Ingredients For Stir Fry

• 3 tbsp oil
• 300g egg noodles
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 100g beansprouts
• 1 bunch green onions
• 2 garlic cloves

Sauce for Chicken Chow Mein

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp granulated sugar

Ingredient Substitutes

If you have trouble finding some ingredients, here are some substitutes:

• Oyster sauce: use hoisin sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar but note that the taste will be slightly different
• Dark soy sauce: use regular soy sauce with a little molasses or brown sugar
• Sesame oil: use vegetable oil with a small amount of toasted sesame seeds
• Egg noodles: use spaghetti, linguine, or rice noodles

How to Make Chicken Chow Mein

1. Marinate the Chicken Combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, baking soda, and sugar in a bowl. Mix well and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.

2. Cook the Noodles Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and granulated sugar. Mix well and set aside.

4. Stir Fry the Chicken Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and stir fry until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

5. Stir Fry the Vegetables Add 2 tbsp of oil to the pan and heat. Add the garlic, red bell pepper, carrot, and beansprouts. Stir fry until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

6. Combine Everything Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Add the cooked noodles and the prepared sauce. Stir fry for a few minutes, ensuring the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.

7. Garnish and Serve Serve your chicken chow mein topped with sliced green onions.

How Is Chicken Chow Mein Typically Served?

Chicken Chow Mein is typically served as a main dish, with the noodles, chicken and vegetables stir-fried with a savoury sauce.

It is often garnished with green onions and sometimes almonds or even peanuts.

Some people like to add additional ingredients such as bell peppers, carrots, or bok choy to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition.

It is typically served hot and can be enjoyed with a side of rice or other complementary dishes.

Nutrition Information

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the nutritional content for one serving of this homemade chicken chow mein recipe. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Total Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 900mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 55g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 25g
• Vitamin A: 3,500 IU (70% DV)
• Vitamin C: 50mg (83% DV)
• Calcium: 60mg (6% DV)
• Iron: 2.5mg (14% DV)
• Potassium: 700mg (20% DV)

This homemade chicken chow mein is a well-balanced meal, providing a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is particularly high in vitamins A and C, which support immune function and overall health. Additionally, this recipe is lower in fat and sodium compared to traditional takeaway versions, making it a healthier choice for regular consumption.

Keep in mind that if you modify the recipe or use different ingredients, the nutritional content may change. To maintain a balanced diet, consider serving this dish alongside a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for an even greater nutritional boost.

FAQs

Can I reheat chicken chow mein?

Yes, you can reheat chicken chow mein. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave.

How many calories are in chicken chow mein?

The calories in chicken chow mein can vary depending on the ingredients and cooking method. However, this homemade version typically contains around 400-500 calories per serving, which is significantly lower than most takeaway versions.

Is chicken chow mein gluten-free?

No, chicken chow mein is not gluten-free due to the presence of soy sauce and egg noodles. To make a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari and gluten-free noodles.

Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute or add your favorite vegetables, such as broccoli, snow peas, or bok choy. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time to ensure the vegetables are cooked through.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by substituting the chicken with tofu, tempeh, or a meat alternative. You will also need to replace the oyster sauce with a vegetarian alternative, such as hoisin sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and brown sugar.

Conclusion

This healthier homemade chicken chow mein recipe is a fantastic alternative to greasy takeaway dishes. Packed with fresh, nutritious ingredients and bursting with flavor, it's sure to become a favorite in your household. Give it a try and enjoy a delicious meal that is lower in calories and full of vitamins and minerals.