Chicken Lo Mein is one of those dishes that instantly brings the warmth of comfort food and the excitement of takeout—right into your own kitchen. With glossy noodles, colorful vegetables, and tender pieces of chicken, this stir-fry is fast, flexible, and incredibly flavorful.
Whether you’re trying to recreate your favorite restaurant experience or just want a stress-free dinner, this Chicken Lo Mein checks all the boxes. It’s quick enough for weeknights, customizable for picky eaters, and delicious enough to satisfy every craving.
2. Why You’ll Love This Chicken Lo Mein
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 25–30 minutes, start to finish.
- Family-Friendly: Mild in flavor, easy to adapt for kids or spice lovers.
- Uses Simple Ingredients: No fancy sauces or hard-to-find veggies.
- Healthier Than Takeout: Less oil, less salt, and no added MSG.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Stores well and reheats beautifully.
This recipe is designed for everyday cooks who love making something extraordinary out of simple ingredients. Let’s break down what you’ll need.
3. Ingredients You’ll Need
🔸 For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil – Canola or peanut oil work well for high-heat cooking.
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup carrots, shredded or julienned
- 1 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas
- 8 oz Lo Mein noodles (or any stir-fry noodles)
🔸 For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for slightly thickening the sauce)
- 1 tablespoon warm water (to dissolve cornstarch, if used)
🔸 Garnish:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds (optional)
4. Choosing the Right Noodles
The noodles you use will dramatically affect the texture and experience of your Lo Mein.
✅ Best Options:
- Lo Mein Noodles – Traditional choice. Soft, chewy, and absorbent.
- Egg Noodles – Slightly richer in flavor.
- Spaghetti – In a pinch, cooked spaghetti works well!
- Ramen Noodles – Quick, budget-friendly substitute (just discard the seasoning packet).
Pro Tip: Cook noodles until just al dente. Overcooking can lead to mushy stir-fries.
5. Best Vegetables for Stir-Frying
Part of what makes Chicken Lo Mein so adaptable is its veggie content. Use what you have!
Popular Add-ins:
- Broccoli florets
- Baby corn
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
- Bok choy
- Bean sprouts
- Napa cabbage
- Zucchini
Color Tip: Include at least one red, one green, and one orange/yellow veggie for a visually appealing dish.
6. How to Make Chicken Lo Mein (Step-by-Step)
🔥 Step 1: Cook the Noodles
Boil according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Toss with a drop of oil to prevent sticking.
🔥 Step 2: Prepare Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch slurry (if using). Set aside.
🔥 Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large wok or skillet. Add sliced chicken and cook until lightly browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
🔥 Step 4: Stir-Fry the Aromatics
Add remaining oil to the same pan. Toss in garlic and ginger, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
🔥 Step 5: Cook the Veggies
Add bell pepper, carrots, and snow peas. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
🔥 Step 6: Combine Everything
Return chicken to the pan. Add noodles. Pour in sauce and toss everything together until well coated. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat.
🔥 Step 7: Serve
Top with chopped green onions and optional sesame seeds. Serve hot.
7. Flavorful Stir-Fry Sauce – Tips for Balancing Flavors
Here’s how to fine-tune your sauce to suit your taste:
| Flavor Profile | Adjust by Adding |
|---|---|
| More Salty | Soy sauce |
| More Sweet | A dash of honey or hoisin |
| More Umami | Oyster sauce or fish sauce |
| More Tangy | Rice vinegar or lime juice |
| More Spicy | Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or red pepper flakes |
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the Pan: Stir-frying works best with space. If needed, cook in batches.
- Overcooking Noodles: Al dente noodles stir-fry better and don’t become mushy.
- Not Prepping in Advance: Stir-frying is fast. Have everything chopped and ready before you begin.
- Too Much Sauce: You only need enough to lightly coat the noodles. Excess sauce can lead to soggy stir-fry.
9. Easy Variations & Substitutions
Want to change it up? Here’s how:
- Protein Options:
Swap chicken for shrimp, beef, pork, tofu, or even plant-based meat. - Low-Carb Version:
Use zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles. - Gluten-Free Option:
Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles. - Spicy Chicken Lo Mein:
Add chili oil, Szechuan peppercorns, or diced jalapeños.
10. How to Make It Ahead for Meal Prep
- Cook noodles, chicken, and vegetables separately.
Combine with sauce only when ready to eat to avoid soggy textures. - Store in individual containers for grab-and-go lunches.
- Keep sauce in a separate jar until reheating for better consistency.
Chicken Lo Mein can last up to 4 days in the fridge when stored properly.
11. Storing and Reheating Tips
🔹 Storing:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate up to 4 days.
🔹 Reheating:
- In a skillet: Add 1 tbsp water or broth, stir-fry over medium heat until hot.
- In the microwave: Use a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and reheat in 1-minute intervals.
Avoid freezing: The noodles and vegetables lose texture.
12. What to Serve with Chicken Lo Mein
While this dish stands on its own, you can serve it with:
- Steamed dumplings
- Egg rolls
- Wonton soup
- Cucumber salad
- Steamed rice (for extra carb-lovers)
- Asian slaw
- Jasmine tea or chilled green tea
13. FAQs About Chicken Lo Mein
Q1: Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, just thaw them before stir-frying. They may release more water, so cook a little longer to evaporate moisture.
Q2: Can I skip oyster sauce?
You can, but it adds a deep umami flavor. A mix of soy sauce and a bit of sugar can somewhat mimic it.
Q3: What’s the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?
Lo Mein is soft and saucy; Chow Mein is often drier with crispy noodles.
Q4: Is Chicken Lo Mein spicy?
Not by default. But you can easily add spice if you prefer.
14. Recipe Card
📋 Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Serves: 4 | Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Total: 25 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup snow peas
- 8 oz lo mein noodles
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional)
- 1 tbsp warm water
- Green onions & sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook noodles and set aside.
- Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl.
- Stir-fry chicken, then remove from pan.
- Stir-fry garlic and ginger, then vegetables.
- Return chicken and add noodles + sauce.
- Toss everything until well combined.
- Garnish and serve hot.
15. Final Thoughts
Chicken Lo Mein is more than just a takeout classic—it’s a reliable, customizable, and surprisingly simple recipe to master at home. With the right technique and a few pantry staples, you can enjoy restaurant-quality stir-fry in under 30 minutes.
This isn’t just fast food—it’s feel-good food.
Whether you’re making it fresh or meal-prepping for the week, this chicken stir-fry is one recipe you’ll keep coming back to again and again.
