Oh, get ready for a treat! This Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce is seriously the real deal. I remember the first time I nailed this recipe – the smell alone took me straight back to my favorite little Chinese takeout spot, but even better! It’s that perfectly balanced, savory sauce that just makes everything sing. Trust me, once you make this homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought. It’s quick enough for a weeknight but special enough for company. Whip this up and prepare for some serious compliments!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce
Seriously, what’s not to love? This recipe is a total winner because:
- It’s super quick to whip up – think ready in about 35 minutes!
- The steps are so easy, anyone can follow them.
- You get those amazing, authentic Asian flavors that just hit the spot.
- You can totally toss in your favorite veggies to make it your own.
- And let’s be honest, the star of the show is that incredible, crave-worthy sauce that makes this Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce unforgettable.
Gather Your Ingredients for Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce! First up, you’ll need about a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced super thin. This helps it cook quickly and absorb all that yummy flavor. We’ll also grab 8 ounces of chow mein noodles – the ones in the package are usually perfect. For the veggies, get ready with 1 cup of broccoli florets, 1 cup of sliced carrots, 1 cup of sliced celery, and 1 cup of mushrooms, all sliced up. Don’t forget 2 cloves of garlic, minced, and about a teaspoon of fresh ginger, grated – seriously, fresh makes ALL the difference here!
Chicken Marinade for Flavorful Chicken Chow Mein
So, for that super flavorful chicken, we’re going to take 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and mix it with about half a tablespoon of cornstarch. Just toss your thinly sliced chicken in this mixture. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes if you can – it really tenderizes the chicken and gives it a nice little coating that gets crispy when it hits the hot wok.
Crafting the Best Chow Mein Sauce
Now for the magic: the best chow mein sauce! In a little bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of chicken broth, the remaining 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce (it’s the secret to that deep umami flavor!), and 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce. Add in 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance everything out, and just a pinch – about 1/4 teaspoon – of white pepper for a little kick. Don’t forget the other half tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken it all up beautifully. Whisk it all until it’s nice and smooth. This is what makes our Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce truly shine!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens for our Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce. First things first, make sure your wok or a nice big skillet is smoking hot over high heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Once that’s shimmering, carefully add your marinated chicken. Stir-fry it quickly for about 2-3 minutes, just until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. Don’t overcook it! Scoop that chicken out and set it aside for a moment.
Preparing the Chicken for the Wok
So, that marinated chicken? We want it to get a really nice sear. That high heat is your friend here! Just toss it in the hot oil and sesame oil, and keep it moving. It should only take a couple of minutes to get that lovely golden-brown color and be cooked all the way through. Once it’s done, just scoop it out and put it on a plate. We’ll add it back in later!
Stir-Frying the Vegetables
Now, into that same hot wok, toss in your broccoli, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. You want to stir-fry these for about 3 to 5 minutes. Keep them moving so they get that nice tender-crisp texture – still a little bite to them, you know? Then, add in your minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir that around for just about 30 seconds until you can really smell that amazing aroma. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Combining Everything for the Perfect Chicken Chow Mein
Okay, here’s where it all comes together for our amazing Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce! Grab that cooked chicken you set aside and toss it back into the wok with the veggies. Next, add your cooked chow mein noodles. Now, pour that glorious, homemade sauce we made earlier all over everything. Give it all a good toss, gently but thoroughly, making sure every noodle, every piece of chicken, and every veggie gets coated in that delicious sauce. Let it all heat through for another minute or two. That’s it! Serve it up hot!
Tips for Culinary Success with Chicken Chow Mein
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients ready, right? That’s step one! For the best Chicken Chow Mein, you really need to have everything prepped and within arm’s reach *before* you even think about turning on the stove. Stir-frying is fast! Use high heat – seriously, crank it up – for that authentic sizzle and tender-crisp veggies. Don’t overcrowd the wok, either; cook in batches if you have to. That way, everything actually fries instead of steaming. And always, always have a taste of the sauce before you add it, and adjust the seasoning if you need to. A little more soy sauce? A touch more sugar? You’re the boss!
Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
This recipe is pretty flexible, which I love! If you can’t find chow mein noodles, spaghetti or even linguine will work in a pinch, though they’ll give it a slightly different vibe. Feel free to load up on other veggies too! Thinly sliced bell peppers, snow peas, or even some bean sprouts are fantastic additions. Just remember to add them at the right time so they cook perfectly alongside the others. It’s all about making this Chicken Chow Mein your own!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious Chicken Chow Mein
This Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce is best enjoyed piping hot right out of the wok! It’s a dish that really shines when it’s fresh. If, by some miracle, you have leftovers, just let it cool down a bit and then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for a couple of days. To reheat, I usually just give it a quick toss in a hot skillet with a tiny splash of water or soy sauce to loosen things up. Microwaving works too, just make sure it’s heated through evenly!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce
Got questions about making the best Chicken Chow Mein? I’ve got answers!
Q1. Can I make the sauce ahead of time for this Chicken Chow Mein recipe?
Absolutely! The sauce for this Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce is perfect for making ahead. Just whisk it all together and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before you use it, as the cornstarch might settle a bit.
Q2. What are the best vegetables to add to Chicken Chow Mein?
Besides the ones in the recipe, feel free to get creative! Thinly sliced bell peppers (any color!), snow peas, snap peas, bok choy, or even some crunchy bean sprouts are fantastic. Just add them when the recipe calls for the other veggies, adjusting the cooking time slightly if needed.
Q3. How do I make my Chicken Chow Mein noodles less sticky?
The key to avoiding sticky noodles in your Chicken Chow Mein is rinsing them with cold water *after* you cook them, and then tossing them with a tiny bit of oil (like sesame oil) before adding them to the stir-fry. This stops them from clumping up when they hit the hot wok.
Q4. Can I use a different protein instead of chicken for this Chow Mein?
Of course! Thinly sliced beef, pork, or even shrimp work wonderfully in this stir-fry. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly – shrimp cooks super fast, so add it near the end! Tofu is also a great vegetarian option.
Approximate Nutritional Information for Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? Depending on the brands you use and exactly how you make it, the nutrition info for this Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce can change a little. But generally, one serving comes in around 550 calories, with about 35g of protein, 60g of carbs, and 20g of fat. It’s got a decent amount of sodium too, around 1200mg, which is pretty typical for this kind of dish. Everything else is pretty balanced in there!
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Amazing Chicken Chow Mein with Best Sauce
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic and flavorful Chicken Chow Mein recipe featuring a savory homemade sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, divided
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 8 ounces chow mein noodles
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from wok and set aside.
- Add broccoli, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add garlic and ginger to the wok and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, remaining 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch, sugar, and white pepper to make the sauce.
- Return chicken to the wok with the vegetables.
- Add cooked chow mein noodles to the wok.
- Pour the sauce over the noodles, chicken, and vegetables. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas.
- Adjust the sauce ingredients to your taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Chicken Chow Mein, Chow Mein Recipe, Best Chow Mein Sauce, Asian Noodles, Stir-fry Chicken