Chicken lo mein is a classic Chinese takeout dish that has become a staple in many households. With its tender noodles juicy chicken, and flavorful sauce, it’s easy to see why this meal is so popular. But what exactly goes into chicken lo mein and how is it made? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients and preparation that make this dish so delicious.
A Brief History of Chicken Lo Mein
Lo mein noodles originated in China, where “lo mein” translates to “tossed noodles.” The dish was likely created by Chinese immigrants living in America as a modified version of traditional stir-fried Chinese noodles. By the 1950s-60s, chicken lo mein had become a standard menu item in Chinese restaurants across the United States. Its popularity has continued to grow over the decades, and it’s still one of the most popular Chinese dishes today.
The Essential Components of Chicken Lo Mein
While recipes can vary slightly, chicken lo mein is generally made with five main components
Noodles
Lo mein noodles are wheat flour noodles that have a soft, chewy texture. They are typically fresh or par-cooked before being used in the dish. Good substitutes include ramen noodles, udon noodles, or spaghetti.
Chicken
Chicken breast or thigh meat that’s diced into small pieces is most commonly used The chicken is cooked until browned yet tender
Vegetables
Popular vegetable mix-ins are carrots, onions, cabbage, bean sprouts, broccoli, mushrooms, and bell peppers. The veggies are stir-fried along with the chicken.
Sauce
The sauce is what gives lo mein its signature flavor. It contains soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and other aromatics.
Garnishes
Common garnishes are chopped green onions and sesame seeds. They provide color and texture contrast.
How to Make Chicken Lo Mein at Home
Here is a simple overview of the steps for making chicken lo mein:
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Prepare the protein and vegetables – Slice the chicken and chop the vegetables. Marinate the chicken briefly.
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Cook the noodles – Boil the noodles until tender yet firm. Drain and toss with a bit of oil.
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Make the sauce – Whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and other sauce ingredients.
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Stir-fry the dish – Cook the chicken, add vegetables, then noodles and sauce. Toss everything together until combined and heated through.
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Finish and serve – Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately while hot and flavorful.
Tips for Making Excellent Chicken Lo Mein
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Use a very hot pan or wok to ensure high heat for proper stir-frying technique. This will yield tender chicken and crispy-tender vegetables.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking. Do the chicken in batches if needed to properly brown it.
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Let the chicken marinate for 10-15 minutes in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for extra flavor.
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Cook the noodles al dente so they don’t get mushy when stir-fried.
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Double the sauce ingredients if you want extra saucy noodles.
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Add other vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for variety.
Chicken Lo Mein Ingredient Variations
One of the great things about chicken lo mein is that it’s highly customizable. Feel free to swap ingredients to suit your tastes and what you have on hand.
Protein options:
- Shrimp, beef, or tofu instead of chicken
Vegetable ideas:
- Broccoli, snap peas, bell pepper, bean sprouts, water chestnuts
Noodle suggestions:
- Ramen, udon, rice noodles, spaghetti
Sauce variations:
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Add chili garlic sauce, hoisin, or Sriracha for spiciness
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Use reduced sodium soy sauce or tamari
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Include rice vinegar, chili oil, or toasted sesame seeds
What Makes Chicken Lo Mein So Addictive?
There are a few reasons why this noodle dish is so hard to stop eating:
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The noodles – Chewy, tender noodles are naturally satisfying to eat. They’re a perfect contrast to the crunchy vegetables.
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The savory sauce – The sauce clings to each strand of noodle, providing a rich, addictive flavor with each bite. It strikes the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and umami.
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Variety of textures – The dish offers something different with each component. The soft noodles, velvety sauce, tender chicken, and crisp-tender vegetables make it highly craveable.
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Customizable flavors – With the option to add spicy, tangy, herby, or other flavors, you can tweak each batch to suit your tastes.
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Aromatic ingredients – Fragrant garlic, ginger, scallions, and sesame instantly make this dish smell amazing. They tease your senses and appetite.
So if you’re a lo mein lover, now you know exactly what makes this takeout staple so hard to resist! Understanding the ingredients and technique helps you recreate the perfect bowl at home for anytime cravings.
Step 4: Cook Chicken
To cook chicken lo mein you’ll need either a wok or large pan.
Woks are great for stir fries because the shape makes it easy to toss ingredients and also retain heat so it cooks very quickly.
I am using a Made In carbon steel wok.
First, add a drizzle of oil into the wok or pan on medium to high heat.
Sear the marinated chicken on all sides for about 5 minutes or until it is cooked all the way through.
Remove the cooked chicken and set it aside so it doesn’t overcook while you cook the remaining ingredients.
Step 3: Cook Noodles
In a pot, boil lo mein noodles according to package instructions.
Then drain the noodles and discard the cooking water.
Toss the noodles with some sesame oil to keep it from sticking together and also to add a nice toasty, nutty flavor.
Set the noodles aside for later.
How to Make Chinese Chicken Lo Mein | Restaurant Quality Recipe | Wally Cooks Everything
FAQ
What are the main ingredients in lo mein?
- Lo Mein noodles – for takeout style, use fresh yellow noodles (usually labelled “egg noodles”) that are about 3mm / 1/8″ thick. …
- Protein – use either chicken, pork, beef, turkey, prawns/shrimp or tofu. …
- Vegetables – I used capsicum/bell peppers, carrot and green onion.
What is the difference between chicken lo mein and chow mein?
The biggest difference between chow mein and lo mein lies in the translations of their names: chow mein is fried, and lo mein is tossed.
Is Chinese chicken lo mein healthy?
Chinese chicken lo mein can be a moderately healthy option, but it often depends on how it’s prepared and the portion size.
What kind of sauce is in chicken lo mein?
Most lo mein sauces are very simple, with a soy sauce base. Some involve adding sugar or honey.