Ah, Chow Mein—a classic stir-fried noodle dish! Here’s a simple version you can make at home:
Ingredients (Serves 2–4)
- 8 oz chow mein noodles or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup sliced chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, snow peas, etc.)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
For the sauce:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¼ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles:
- Boil noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, broth, and cornstarch (if using). Set aside.
- Stir-fry the protein:
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Stir-fry the vegetables:
- Add remaining oil, then garlic and mixed vegetables. Stir-fry 3–5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Combine everything:
- Return protein to the pan, add noodles, and pour the sauce over.
- Toss everything together until heated through and coated in sauce.
- Serve:
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Tips:
- For extra crunch, you can lightly fry the noodles before adding the sauce.
- Swap proteins or vegetables based on what you have—broccoli, mushrooms, or bean sprouts work great.
I can also give a quick 20-minute version that uses pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and frozen veggies for an ultra-fast dinner. Do you want me to do that?
