What is Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein is a popular Chinese dish that's perfect for a satisfying and flavorful weeknight meal. This homemade recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make. Follow our step-by-step guide and enjoy the best Chicken Lo Mein you've ever had!
In Chinese, Lo means to stir, and Mein means noodles. So literally, this dish is called stirred noodles.
Ingredients to make Lo Mein
For the Marinade
- 300g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1/3 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 tsp garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
For the Sauce
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
- 100g (1/2 cup) water
Stir Fry Vegetables
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1 bell pepper, julienned
- 3 mushrooms, sliced thinly
- 100g green peas
- 500g fresh egg noodles
How to Make Chicken Lo Mein
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Marinate the Chicken Marinate the chicken pieces with the soy sauce, baking soda, cooking wine, garlic, and ginger for at least 30 minutes or even overnight in the fridge.
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Prepare the Sauce To make the sauce, combine the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, cooking wine, peanut butter, and water.
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Cook the Egg Noodles Cook the egg noodles per package instructions until slightly cooked, as we will finish them off in the wok. Set aside.
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Stir Fry the Chicken Stir fry the chicken pieces in some vegetable oil until tender. Set aside.
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Cook the Vegetables Add a bit of oil, then stir fry the vegetables until slightly tender. Do not overcook.
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Combine Noodles, Sauce, and Vegetables Add the cooked noodles and sauce to the vegetables. Stir fry until the sauce is almost dry.
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Add the Chicken and Serve Add the chicken pieces back into the wok and stir. Serve with the green parts of the green onions.
Top Tips and Secrets for the Perfect Quick and Easy Chicken Lo Mein
- Marinate your chicken pieces for at least 30 minutes or even overnight. This ensures you have tasty chicken pieces. The baking soda also tenderizes the meat and helps to prevent it from being overcooked and tough.
- Stir-fry the chicken pieces separately from the vegetables. This ensures you don't overcook the chicken pieces.
- Stir fry the vegetables separately to ensure they don't get overcooked. Start with the hardest onces like carrots and bell pepper, and finish off with the softest ones like mushrooms.
- When cooking the egg noodles, do not use boiling water. Warm water is enough. Slightly undercook the noodles as we will finish it off in the wok with the Lo Mein sauce.
What are the Ingredient Substitutes to Make Chicken Lo Mein?
- Instead of chicken, feel free to use any other protein you have like pork, beef, tofu and even seafood like shrimps. Be sure to cut your protein pieces in the same sizes so they all cook together.
- Feel free to use any leftover vegetables you have like broccoli.
- If you don't have hoisin sauce, you can use either oyster sauce or a mix of soy sauce, peanut butter and some sugar.
- If you don't have Shaoxing cooking wine, you can use some light beer like lager. Careful not to use stout or ale as these are a bit too bitter.
What Can I Serve with Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein can already be served by itself, but it will also work well with any other Chinese or Asian dishes.
Chicken Chow Mein vs Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Chow Mein and Chicken Lo Mein are two popular Chinese dishes that may seem similar, but there are some differences in their ingredients and cooking methods.
Noodles
The main difference between Chicken Chow Mein and Chicken Lo Mein is the type of noodles used and how they are prepared. Chow Mein typically uses thin, crispy egg noodles that are either pan-fried or deep-fried until they are crispy. In contrast, Lo Mein uses soft egg noodles that are boiled and then stir-fried with the other ingredients.
Cooking Method
Chicken Chow Mein is often prepared by stir-frying the vegetables and chicken separately, then combining them with the crispy noodles and a sauce at the end. Chicken Lo Mein, on the other hand, involves stir-frying the cooked, soft noodles together with the vegetables, chicken, and sauce, creating a more homogenous dish.
Sauce
The sauce for Chicken Chow Mein is usually lighter and less complex, often consisting of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes a bit of sugar. Chicken Lo Mein's sauce tends to be richer and more flavorful, with ingredients like dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and Shaoxing cooking wine in addition to the soy sauce and oyster sauce.
Texture
Due to the difference in noodles and cooking methods, Chicken Chow Mein has a crispier texture with a mix of crunchy noodles and tender vegetables and chicken, while Chicken Lo Mein has a softer, more uniform texture with the noodles, vegetables, and chicken all well-coated in the sauce.
Nutrition Information
Based on the ingredients used, each serving of Chicken Lo Mein provides the following approximate nutritional values:
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Sugars: 7g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 950mg
- Potassium: 580mg
- Vitamin A: 2,500 IU
- Vitamin C: 60mg
- Calcium: 50mg
- Iron: 2mg
Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands used. For a more accurate nutritional profile, it's recommended to calculate the values based on the actual products you use.
Final Thoughts
Making Chicken Lo Mein at home is easier than you think! With this simple recipe, you can enjoy an authentic, flavorful Chinese dish in the comfort of your own home. Give it a try and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken with beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
How can I make this dish spicier?
You can add some chili sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or stir fry some fresh or dried chili peppers along with the vegetables.
Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli, baby corn, bok choy, or bean sprouts to make it even more nutritious.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a wok or microwave before serving.
Can I freeze Chicken Lo Mein?
Yes, you can freeze Chicken Lo Mein in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in a wok or microwave.