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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Chow Mein

In Vancouver, where I live, we have a few main styles of mein dishes. There is soft chow mein, crispy chow mein and lo mein. This recipe is a soft chow mein. The noodles are tender and the sauce is absorbed in the cooking process.
For crispy chow mein, the noodles are usually fried on both sides, tender in the middle and topped with thicker sauce. To see what I mean, check out my recipe for Crispy Chow Mein with Black Pepper Beef.
Lo mein, literally means mixed noodles. The noodle is a thicker yellow noodle and it is not fried but is usually cooked and tossed with the sauce. Similar to chow mein but still different. See my recipe for Chicken Lo Mein.
This recipe makes a lot but you can easily halve it. It’s enough to feed my family as a full meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Keyword: chicken, chow mein, noodles, stir fry
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken thighs boneless skinless
  • 1 pound fresh chow mein noodles
  • 4 tablespoons avocado oil divided
  • 3 slices ginger
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 ounces bean sprouts
  • 2 green onion 2 inch pieces

For the Marinade

  • 1 teaspoon rice wine
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

For the Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken thighs into strips and place into a medium mixing bowl. Add the marinade ingredients. Mix well and let marinate while preparing remaining ingredients. Cover and let marinate in the fridge if preparing in advance.
  • In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients.
  • Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Blanch the noodles for 30-60 seconds and drain well.
  • In a wok or large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add ginger and fry for 30 seconds. Add chicken and stir fry until cooked through. Remove into a bowl.
  • Add 1 tablespoon oil and onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or until fragrant. Remove into the same bowl as the chicken.
  • Add 2 tablespoons oil and the noodles. Stir fry for a few minutes until noodles are lightly toasted. Add the sauce and mix well until the noodles are evenly colored.
  • Stir in the chicken, onion and any drippings.
  • Stir in bean sprouts and green onion. Cook for another minute until the bean sprouts are starting to wilt.
  • Turn off the heat. Drizzle in sesame oil.
  • Serve on a platter.