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Savory and sweet, this chicken lo mein is perfect for slurping. Get ready to swear off takeout for good (or at least tonight)!

Chicken lo mein in a pan.

This chicken lo mein recipe is 90% of the reason why I’ve decided to recycle my takeout menus. For so long, my family leaned on takeout to get us through hectic weeknights or weekends full of errands. But here’s the thing, snagging takeout didn’t even really save us that much time. Case in point with this chicken lo mein dish. It takes just 10 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cook time!

Obsessed with lo mein? Try our vegetable lo mein, beef lo mein, or shrimp lo mein whenever a craving for noodles is too strong to ignore.

Ingredients for chicken lo mein

The Difference Between Chow Mein & Lo Mein

For most, Chinese takeout means chow mein. But what about its lesser-known and just as delicious cousin lo mein? While the dishes are similar, they do have some key differences. Lo mein is a dish of soft egg noodles, protein, and veggies that are tossed in a thick, savory sauce. On the other hand, chow mein starts with the same components but calls for a longer frying time to turn the egg noodles slightly crispy.

An Easy Step-By-Step for Chicken Lo Mein

To kick the process off, first whisk the brown sugar, chicken broth, sesame oil and soy sauce together. Then, set the sauce aside to give it time to marinate and develop its flavors.

  • Prepare the Veggies & Chicken: Next, slice the carrots, broccoli, and onion. Then, slice the chicken breasts into similar-sized thin strips.
  • Sauté the Chicken: In a wok, sauté the chicken with sesame oil. Remove it from the pan and set it aside.
  • Sauté the Veggies: Next, sauté the onions in the chicken drippings and remove them from the pan. Add in the carrots, cooking them until they begin to soften. Add in the broccoli and sauté for a couple of more minutes. Press in the garlic and stir to combine.
  • Add in the Chicken & Noodles: Add the chicken back in, pour the sauce in, and simmer for a couple of minutes. Finally, add in the cooked noodles and toss to combine. Grab your chopsticks and dig in!

Need a good wok recommendation? I’ve been using this one for years for everything from beef stir fry to japchae. If you don’t have a wok, simply use a large skillet.

Sauce ingredients in a measuring cup
Cooked noodles in a bowl
Veggies with chicken in a wok with sauce
Noodles with veggies in a wok

3 Pro Tips for the BEST Chicken Lo Mein

Making these noodles isn’t rocket science, but a couple of key tips will help you nail it.

  • Slice the veggies and chicken into similar-sized pieces. To promote even cooking, slice the veggies and chicken into similar-sized pieces.
  • Cook the ingredients in heats. The key to a great lo mein is to cook the different components separately before bring them all together. This prevents overcooking and yields the best texture.
  • Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. No matter which noodles you use, make sure you boil them according to the package instructions.

Need to control your salt intake? Use low sodium soy sauce and chicken broth instead. Now you’re really escaping the takeout trap!

Different Vegetables for Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken lo mein is a great dish to help you clear out your produce drawer. Below, find a couple of different produce options to inspire you.

  • Red bell pepper
  • Snow peas
  • Mushrooms
  • ​Ginger
  • Bean sprouts
  • Green onions
  • Bok choy
Veggies in a few bowls

Ideas for Serving Chicken Lo Mein

​Chicken lo mein is filling enough to be eaten as a meal all on its own. Serve it on hectic weeknights when you’re low on time. Or, whip it up for your next dinner party and serve it alongside crispy crab puffs, Korean air fryer pork ​ribs, and spring rolls with salmon.

Storing & Reheating Tips

To keep lo mein on hand for up to a week, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Avoid freezing the noodles, as they’ll turn to mush upon thawing. To reheat, place them back in a pan with a bit or sesame oil or microwave them for a couple of minutes until warmed through.

FAQ

What is lo mein sauce made of?

What gives lo mein sauce its signature taste is a balance of savory ingredients (chicken broth, soy sauce, and sesame oil) and brown sugar (a key ingredient in Chinese cooking that helps sauces thicken and caramelize).

What are lo mein noodles made of?

Lo mein noodles are made with egg and wheat flour. Typically, chow mein calls for the same exact noodles.

What is the smoky flavor in lo mein?

The smokey flavor of the lo mein comes from cooking the veggies and chicken over medium-high heat until golden brown. The crisp that forms on the ingredients adds smokiness.

Which is healthier chow mein or lo mein?

Chow mein requires a bit more oil than lo mein to make the noodles crispy. This likely makes it a bit unhealthier but not by much.

How can you make lo mein spicy?

To make your lo mein spicy, add in a couple of shakes of red pepper flakes or a squirt or two of sriracha.

More Tasty Asian-Inspired Dishes

Recipe

Chicken lo mein in a pan.

Chicken Lo Mein (Crazy Easy)

Print Pin
Servings
6 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This chicken lo mein features strips of chicken, sauteed veggies, and tender noodles tossed in a savory and sweet sauce. Crazy easy!

Ingredients

Lo Mein Sauce

Lo Mein Ingredients

  • 8 oz noodles cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 tbsp oil olive, avocado, or sesame oil
  • 1 lb chicken
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 cups broccoli
  • 4 garlic cloves
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Whisk the brown sugar into the chicken broth until it's dissolved. Next, whisk the soy sauce in and sesame oil, set it aside.
    Sauce ingredients in a measuring cup
  • Slice the carrots, broccoli, and onion into 2-inch pieces. Slice the chicken into similar-sized strips.
    Veggies in a few bowls
  • Preheat a wok with oil and sauté the chicken until it's golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
    chicken in a wok
  • In the same wok, sauté the onions in the chicken drippings and a bit more oil until golden brown. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside. Next, sauté the carrots until softened, add in the broccoli, and sauté for an additional 3 minutes. Press the garlic into the wok.
    Onion in a wok
  • Add the cooked chicken and onions back into the wok with the veggies. Pour the sauce over the ingredients and simmer for about 2 minutes.
    Veggies with chicken in a wok with sauce
  • Add the cooked noodles, toss everything together, and enjoy!
    Noodles with veggies in a wok
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Lo Mein (Crazy Easy)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 295 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 27mg9%
Sodium 767mg32%
Potassium 312mg9%
Carbohydrates 38g13%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 3798IU76%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 47mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted May 9, 2022

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.