If you are craving a dish that is bursting with flavor, quick to prepare, and wonderfully comforting, this Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is exactly what you need. It combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and perfectly sauced noodles in one satisfying skillet meal. Every bite delivers a delightful harmony of savory, sweet, and aromatic notes that make this recipe a weeknight favorite and an impressive dish to share with friends or family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create a balanced dish. Each ingredient plays a role in adding depth—a little sweetness, a splash of umami, or a pop of color—to keep every forkful exciting and delicious.
- Vegetable oil: Perfect for stir-frying the chicken and vegetables without overpowering other flavors.
- Chicken breast: Sliced thin for quick, even cooking and tender bites.
- Garlic: Adds a fragrant kick and essential aromatic base.
- Onion: Brings sweetness and texture as it softens.
- Bell pepper: Offers bright color and a subtle crunch to enliven the dish.
- Mushrooms: Contribute an earthy depth and meaty texture.
- Cooked lo mein noodles: The heart of the dish, they soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami backbone essential for authentic flavor.
- Oyster sauce: Adds richness and a slightly sweet seafood nuance.
- Hoisin sauce: Delivers a hint of sweetness and complexity.
- Sesame oil: Used sparingly for a fragrant, nutty finish.
- Ginger: Fresh and zesty, it brightens the whole dish.
- Sugar: Balances the savory and tangy elements with subtle sweetness.
- Water: Helps meld the sauce and gently loosen it for coating noodles.
- Black pepper: Adds mild heat and seasoning depth.
- Green onions: Freshly sliced for garnish to enhance texture and color.
How to Make Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your skillet and chicken
Begin by heating vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once nice and hot, toss in the thinly sliced chicken breast. Stir-fry these tender pieces for about 5 to 6 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink. This quick sear locks in juiciness while giving the chicken a lovely slightly golden surface. After cooking, set the chicken aside; it will come back into the mix very soon.
Step 2: Sauté the garlic and onion
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sliced onion. Cooking these ingredients together for 2 to 3 minutes softens the onions and releases the fragrant oils from the garlic. This aromatic base is what gives your lo mein that irresistible depth of flavor, so take your time here for the best result.
Step 3: Add the bell pepper and mushrooms
Next, stir in the bell pepper and mushrooms. These vegetables bring color and an inviting variety of textures. Continue stir-frying for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain a little bite. This ensures your lo mein isn’t mushy but delightfully fresh and crisp.
Step 4: Combine chicken with vegetables
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, combining it with your sautéed vegetables. This step reintroduces the tender protein to soak up the flavors and helps everything meld together evenly before adding the sauce. Stir to distribute the ingredients well.
Step 5: Mix and add the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Pour this glossy, flavorful sauce over the chicken and veggies. Add a splash of water to help everything come together nicely in the pan. Stir it all to coat evenly—it’s already smelling incredible!
Step 6: Season and introduce ginger
Add minced ginger to the skillet, stirring it in to infuse a fresh, peppery tang that complements the soy sauce base. Season the whole mixture with black pepper to add a mild heat and balance out the sweetness from the sauces. Combining all these bold flavors is what makes this Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe so memorable.
Step 7: Toss in noodles and finish cooking
Finally, add the cooked lo mein noodles to the skillet. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly, ensuring each noodle is coated in the flavorful sauce mixture. Continue to stir-fry for 2 or 3 minutes, warming the noodles through and marrying all the ingredients perfectly. Once everything is piping hot and well combined, remove from heat.
Step 8: Garnish and serve
Top your beautiful lo mein with sliced green onions. This fresh, vibrant garnish adds a bit of crunch, a touch of color, and a mild sharpness that makes the dish really stand out. And voila, your Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Garnishes
Green onions are the classic garnish, lending freshness and a burst of color. You can also consider adding toasted sesame seeds or even a drizzle of extra sesame oil for a hint of nuttiness. These small touches elevate the dish from simple home-cooking to a meal worthy of guests.
Side Dishes
This lo mein shines on its own but pairs beautifully with light sides. Think steamed or sautéed bok choy, crunchy cucumber salad, or even simple steamed rice if you want extra carbs. A small bowl of wonton soup would also make a lovely starter that complements the savory noodle flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving your Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe in lettuce cups for a fresh handheld meal, or plate it with a wedge of lime for tossing over before eating. It also works wonderfully as a filling for wraps or steamed buns if you want to get creative with presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover chicken lo mein keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors deepen overnight, making it a fantastic make-ahead lunch option. Just make sure to cool it completely before storing to preserve texture and taste.
Freezing
While freezing lo mein is possible, the noodles might lose some texture upon thawing. If you want to freeze it, place the cooled dish in a freezer-safe container and consume within one month for the best quality. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat, use a skillet or wok over medium heat to prevent sogginess. Add a splash of water or broth to bring back moisture, then toss to warm everything evenly. Microwave reheating is also fine but do so in short bursts to avoid overcooking the noodles.
FAQs
Can I use other types of noodles in this recipe?
Absolutely! While lo mein noodles are traditional, you can substitute with egg noodles, spaghetti, or even rice noodles depending on your preference. Just be sure to cook them appropriately before adding to the skillet.
What can I substitute for oyster sauce?
If oyster sauce is unavailable or if you need a vegetarian alternative, hoisin sauce mixed with a bit of soy sauce works as a decent substitute. It won’t be identical but will still offer a rich, sweet, and savory flavor profile.
How spicy is this Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe?
This recipe is mild in heat, focused more on savory and sweet elements. You can easily add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce during cooking if you prefer a spicier kick.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari) and ensure the hoisin and oyster sauces you pick are gluten-free as well. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this dish adaptable to dietary needs.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Definitely! Swap the chicken for tofu or extra vegetables, and replace oyster sauce with a vegetarian-friendly stir-fry sauce or mushroom-based sauce. Adjust cooking times for tofu to ensure it’s nicely browned and flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is a shining example of how simple ingredients and straightforward steps can create an incredible dish that feels anything but ordinary. It’s a perfect meal when you want something tasty fast without sacrificing flavor. Give it a try, and I promise it will become one of your go-to favorites for busy nights or whenever you need a comforting, satisfying dinner.
Print
Quick Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 35m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Chicken Lo Mein recipe features tender chicken breast stir-fried with fresh vegetables and cooked lo mein noodles, all tossed in a flavorful sauce made from soy, oyster, and hoisin sauces. Easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, this dish is a perfect weeknight meal bursting with savory Asian flavors and a satisfying mix of textures.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced
Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 cup bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Noodles & Sauces
- 3 cups cooked lo mein noodles
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat to prepare for stir-frying the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Add the sliced chicken breast to the hot oil and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Set Aside Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate to rest while cooking the vegetables.
- Cook Aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced onion. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the sliced bell pepper and mushrooms with the garlic and onion. Continue stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Return Chicken: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables, combining the flavors.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar to create the flavorful lo mein sauce.
- Add Sauce and Water: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables, then add 1/4 cup of water. Stir everything to combine thoroughly.
- Add Ginger and Seasoning: Mix in the minced ginger and sprinkle black pepper over the skillet contents, stirring to evenly distribute all seasonings.
- Add Noodles: Incorporate the cooked lo mein noodles into the skillet and toss to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce and ingredients.
- Final Stir-Fry: Continue stir-frying the entire mixture for 2-3 minutes to ensure the noodles are heated through and flavors meld together.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with sliced green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast with chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and hoisin sauce according to your salt preference.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas or carrots for variety.
- Make sure noodles are cooked and drained to prevent sogginess.
- Use a wok or large skillet to ensure even cooking and easy tossing.
