Chicken Chow Mein Chow Mein Sauce Recipe to Master
Chicken chow mein chow mein sauce recipe holds the key to recreating that beloved takeout experience right in the comfort of home.
It's a dish that has won hearts across dinner tables for generations, offering savory satisfaction and comfort in every bite.
There's something universally appealing about the combination of tender protein, satisfying noodles, and that signature coating that makes everything taste incredible.
Once you know how to make it at home, ordering takeout becomes optional rather than necessary.
It's also budget-friendly, feeding a crowd without breaking the bank while still feeling like a special meal.
Making it from scratch gives you control over flavors and quality, so why not give it a go tonight?
What Makes Chicken Chow Mein Sauce So Good
Ingredients Used in Chicken Chow Mein
Protein:Noodles:Vegetables:Sauce Ingredients:Garnish:What Are the Best Tools for Chicken Chow Mein with Chow Mein Sauce
Chicken Chow Mein with Perfect Sauce Instructions
Prep the Chicken
Grab your chicken breast and slice it into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide. Make sure each piece is bite-sized and roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Chop Veggie Friends
Slice up your veggie team – grab those onions and chop them into thin pieces. Shred the cabbage, cut carrots and celery into slender strips, and mince the garlic cloves super fine.
Noodle Bath
Boil water in a pot and cook your chow mein noodles for exactly 3-4 minutes until they’re tender but not mushy. Drain them and give a quick rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
Chicken Sizzle
Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet at 375°F. When the oil is shimmering, toss in your chicken strips. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and are completely cooked through.
Chicken Rest
Pull the chicken out and set it on a clean plate to hang out while you work on the veggies.
Veggie Saute
In the same pan, drop in your sliced onions and cook for 2 minutes until they start getting soft and fragrant. Then add your prepped veggies:
Stir-fry these for 3 minutes until they’re crisp but tender.
Sauce Magic
Whip up your sauce by mixing these ingredients in a small bowl:
Final Toss
Slide the chicken back into the pan, then add 8 oz of cooked noodles and your prepared sauce. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are hot and coated with delicious sauce.
Serve and Garnish
Transfer your chicken chow mein to serving plates and sprinkle 2 chopped green onions on top for a fresh finish. Dinner is ready!
Technique Notes for Chicken Chow Mein Sauce
Chicken Chow Mein with Noodle and Sauce Options
How to Serve Chicken Chow Mein
How To Store Chicken Chow Mein
Chicken Chow Mein with Signature Sauce FAQs
Can I use different noodles?
Absolutely! Egg noodles, rice noodles, or even spaghetti work great if you can’t find traditional chow mein noodles.
How do I prevent my noodles from sticking together?
Rinse noodles with cold water after cooking and toss them with a little oil to keep them separated and prevent clumping.
What if I don’t have a wok?
A large skillet or sauté pan will work perfectly fine for this recipe. The key is having enough space to stir-fry ingredients quickly.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Replace chicken with tofu or add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or bean sprouts for extra texture and flavor.
Is this dish spicy?
The recipe as written isn’t spicy, but you can add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce if you want some heat.
How can I make the chicken more tender?
Cut chicken against the grain and avoid overcooking. Marinating chicken for 15-30 minutes beforehand also helps keep it juicy.
Chicken Chow Mein Chow Mein Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 24-32 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Chicken Chow Mein brings comfort straight from the kitchen, turning your weeknight dinner into a quick and delicious adventure. Savory noodles and tender chicken create a fast meal that will satisfy your hunger in minutes.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
Noodles and Vegetables:
- 8 oz chow mein noodles
- 1 cup sliced onions
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- ½ cup sliced celery
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 green onions
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- Slice chicken breast into thin, ½-inch wide strips for quick and even cooking.
- Chop all vegetables: slice onions, shred cabbage, cut carrots and celery into thin strips, and mince garlic.
- Boil chow mein noodles in water at 212°F for 3-4 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok at 375°F until surface shimmers.
- Add chicken strips and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a clean plate, keeping warm.
- In the same pan, sauté 1 cup onions for 2 minutes until edges soften and turn translucent.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 cup carrots, and ½ cup celery. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Whisk 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp sugar, and ¼ tsp white pepper in a small bowl.
- Return chicken to pan and add 8 oz noodles with prepared sauce mixture.
- Toss ingredients for 2-3 minutes until noodles are heated and evenly coated with sauce.
- Plate the dish and sprinkle 2 chopped green onions on top as a fresh garnish.
Notes
- Always cut chicken and vegetables into uniform, thin pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Prep all ingredients before starting to cook, as stir-frying moves quickly and you need everything ready to go in the pan.
- Use high heat and keep ingredients moving constantly in the wok to prevent burning and achieve that classic crisp-tender vegetable texture.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular chow mein noodles with rice noodles and use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14-17 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg

Susan Whitaker
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Susan is the steady, practical guide at Mary Sue & Susan, bringing clarity, structure, and a warm sense of encouragement to every recipe she touches. Susan joined the site with a simple goal: help people cook with more confidence and less guesswork.