Chicken Lo Mein is a popular Chinese stir-fry dish that combines tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and noodles tossed in a savory and flavorful sauce. With its irresistible aroma and satisfying taste, this dish is perfect for satisfying your cravings for Asian cuisine right in the comfort of your own home. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to make Chicken Lo Mein from scratch, along with tips, variations, and even keto-friendly and low-carb versions for those looking to enjoy this dish with a healthier twist.
Ingredients:
Lo Mein Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
- 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce or Hoisin sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Chicken Stir-Fry:
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 8 ounces white button mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 8 ounces Chinese noodles or lo mein noodles
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut julienne
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage or Napa cabbage
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions:
- Prepare the Lo Mein Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar or honey, Chinese cooking wine, Oyster sauce or Hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Cook the Chinese noodles or lo mein noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Stir-Fry the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, diced onion, julienned carrots, and sliced red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine Everything: Add the shredded cabbage and cooked chicken back to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared lo mein sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to combine and coat everything evenly with the sauce.
- Add the Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and toss everything together until the noodles are heated through and evenly coated with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish the Chicken Lo Mein with thinly sliced green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook Notes and Variations:
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and add extra vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or baby corn for a vegetarian version of this dish.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha sauce for some extra heat.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free soy sauce and rice noodles instead of wheat-based noodles to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Sauce Variations: Customize the sauce by adjusting the sweetness or adding more garlic and ginger to suit your taste preferences.
Keto Versions and Low-Carb Options:
- Low-Carb Noodles: Replace the Chinese noodles with spiralized zucchini noodles (zoodles) or shirataki noodles for a low-carb option.
- Low-Carb Sauce: Use a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener instead of brown sugar or honey to reduce the carb content of the sauce.
- Vegetable Substitutions: Swap out higher-carb vegetables like carrots and bell peppers for low-carb alternatives like broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I use other proteins instead of chicken? Yes, you can substitute the chicken with shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu to make different variations of this dish.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the components of this dish ahead of time and assemble and cook when ready to serve. Keep the cooked noodles, stir-fried chicken and vegetables, and sauce separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to combine and heat them.
Chicken Lo Mein is a versatile and delicious dish that’s easy to make at home. With its vibrant colors, bold flavors, and satisfying textures, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, this Chicken Lo Mein recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So grab your ingredients and get ready to whip up a batch of this mouthwatering stir-fry goodness!
