Easy Chicken Lo Mein is the ultimate clean-out-the-fridge family favorite! Grab whatever chicken (or steak, shrimp or tofu) you’ve got, plus any combo of veggies and noodles to whip up this 25-minute takeout-inspired recipe.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love It
- Ready in 25 minutes or less.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients.
- No special equipment needed! If you have a large skillet, you can make this recipe.
- Stars the best sweet, nutty, garlicky soy sauce.
- Can be completely customized with your favorite protein, veggies and noodles.
- Tastes like your favorite Chinese restaurant, but made in your own kitchen!
With a super-short ingredient list, and an even faster method of preparation, this Easy Chicken Lo Mein is guaranteed to become a staple on your busy weeknight menu.
The stir-fried noodles are big on flavor with a simple yet sophisticated approach to flavor: Just noodles, chicken and spinach cooked in a garlicky soy sauce. It’s straightforward and seriously fresh.
FOR THE SAUCE:
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Adds that umami-rich, savory flavor. Opt for low sodium to prevent your dish from becoming too salty.
- Hoisin sauce: Made from soybeans, garlic, vinegar and various spices, hoisin sauce brings a robust, sweet and savory element to the dish.
- Sesame oil: A little goes a long way with this nutty, aromatic ingredient that adds an unmistakable Asian flair to your dish. Opt for toasted sesame oil if you prefer a more robust and nutty flavor.
FOR THE LO MEIN:
- Lo mein noodles: These are Chinese egg noodles, thick and chewy, perfect for absorbing the delicious sauce. If you can’t find lo mein noodles, feel free to substitute with spaghetti or linguine.
- Olive oil: Used for stir-frying, olive oil adds a subtle fruity flavor and ensures that your ingredients don’t stick to the pan.
- Sesame oil: This additional bit of sesame oil during the stir-frying process enhances the overall sesame flavor in the dish without being overpowering.
- Minced garlic: Infuses the dish with a rich, savory flavor. Make sure to mince it finely for even distribution.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Chicken breasts, when cut into thin strips, cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully.
- Shredded carrots: They add a satisfying crunch and a touch of natural sweetness.
- Snow peas: These provide a crisp, fresh texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
- Spinach: Packed with nutrients, spinach wilts quickly and adds a mild, earthy flavor.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ll know that I have a serious obsession with stir-fried noodles (hello, chow mein!) and spicy chicken wontons, and my go-to spot to satisfy that craving is Din Tai Fung. Here’s how easy it is to whip up my version of their chicken stir-fried noodles:
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Cook the noodles. Boil the lo mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken. In a large nonstick sauté pan set over medium heat, add the olive oil and sesame oil. Once hot, add the garlic and chicken and cook, stirring constantly, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Stir-fry the carrots and snow peas. Add the carrots and snow peas to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the veggies are tender yet still crisp.
- Bring it all together. Add the spinach, cooked noodles, chicken and prepared sauce to the pan and cook, stirring, until combined and the spinach is wilted. Serve immediately.
One of the best things about Lo Mein is that it’s totally customizable. So consider this recipe more of a template, using your favorite veggies and protein to suit your taste.
- Swap the chicken for your protein of choice. Shrimp, beef or even tofu would be delicious.
- Experiment with different veggies like broccoli, bell peppers or water chestnuts.
- Adjust the spice level by adding a dash of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha if you like a bit of heat.
- Prep First: Before you start cooking, have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. Stir-frying happens fast, and you don’t want to be caught chopping while the garlic is sizzling!
- No Wok? No Problem!: A wok is ideal, but if you don’t have one, a large skillet will work. The key is having a wide surface area to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: When stir-frying the chicken, give it some space. Overcrowding the pan can lead to uneven cooking, and we want those chicken strips to be perfectly juicy and flavorful.
- Watch the Garlic: Minced garlic burns quickly, so keep an eye on it. Add it to the hot oil just until it becomes fragrant, which takes about 30 seconds.
- Use Whatever Noodles You Have: Use lo mein noodles for an authentic taste and texture. If you can’t find them, feel free to substitute them with spaghetti or linguine – it’s all about making it work in your kitchen.
Ready to toss the takeout menus? Complete your homemade feast with top-rated recipes for kale and chicken egg rolls, bacon and egg fried rice and more takeout-fakeout favorites!
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Common Questions
The main difference lies in the noodles. Lo mein uses soft, boiled noodles, while Chow Mein involves crispier noodles that are often fried.
Common vegetables for chicken lo mein include carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, bell peppers, snow peas and spinach. However, feel free to customize based on your preferences and what you have stashed in your fridge!
Yes, you can make it ahead of time but I recommend storing the noodles and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When reheating, combine them just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor. Additionally, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days.
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Ingredients
For the sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For the lo mein:
- 8 ounces uncooked lo mein noodles (See Kelly’s Note)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup snow peas
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
Make the sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce and sesame oil. Set the sauce aside.
Make the lo mein:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the lo mein noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large nonstick sauté pan set over medium heat, add the olive oil and sesame oil. Once hot, add the garlic and chicken and cook, stirring constantly, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Add the carrots and snow peas to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach, cooked noodles, chicken and prepared sauce to the pan and cook, stirring, until combined and the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Kelly’s Notes
- You can find lo mein noodles in the Asian foods section of most major supermarkets. If you can’t find lo mein, you can substitute linguine or spaghetti.
- Before you start cooking, have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. Stir-frying happens fast, and you don’t want to be caught chopping while the garlic is sizzling!
- A wok is ideal, but if you don’t have one, a large skillet will work. The key is having a wide surface area to ensure even cooking.
- When stir-frying the chicken, give it some space. Overcrowding the pan can lead to uneven cooking, and we want those chicken strips to be perfectly juicy and flavorful.
- Minced garlic burns quickly, so keep an eye on it. Add it to the hot oil just until it becomes fragrant, which takes about 30 seconds.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
so good! my husband said it was better than our local takeout spot!
I’m so happy to hear that you both enjoy the recipe, Carla!!
This is a FANTASTIC recipe! I made this according to the recipe except I used rotisserie chicken, added about a teaspoon of minced ginger along with the garlic, shredded carrot & frozen peas (I didn’t have snow peas or spinach). Will definitely make again, thank you!
I’m so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Hallie!
I crave noodles and have been looking for a good easy recipe to use over my noodles but I usually have already cooked chicken or right now an insane amount of pulled pork to use up in dishes or freeze. I’ll keep you posted.
Pulled pork would be delicious, Nancy! Enjoy!
Plain sesame oil or toasted sesame oil? It doesn’t say toasted, but since plain sesame oil doesn’t have much taste it seems strange to bother specifying it versus any generic oil.
Hi Jim! Use whichever you prefer :)
It would have been tastier if there was less soy sauce. But other than that, my son liked it!
Feel free to reduce the amount of soy sauce next time, Cindy. I’m glad your son enjoyed the recipe :)
DELICIOUS!! My entire family loved this dish and I’m already making it again! Thank you so much for such a tasty meal!!
You are so welcome, Erin! I’m thrilled your family enjoyed the recipe!
Delicious! Added to my favourite list!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Andrea!
Thank you for sharing your recipes. Looks delicious.
You are so welcome, Cj! I’m thrilled you’ve been enjoying Just a Taste!
We put this sauce on everything! It’s great in stir-fry, atop fish and over tofu. Sooooo good!!
I’m thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe, LC!
I did not have any low sodium soy sauce so I used regular soy sauce and substituted 1 tablespoon with a tablespoon of water. Very salty even though I put less soy sauce in. Now I know next time to buy the low sodium for this recipe.
I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe, Anne, despite it being too salty.
Hi Kelly – would rice noodles also work as a sub in this dish?
Thank you :-) love your recipes!
Absolutely, Paula! And I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying Just a Taste!
How can I use shrimp instead of chicken
Hi Laura! You can just swap in shrimp for chicken and follow the same recipe (other than adjusting the cook time for the shrimp, as it’ll cook much faster).
I’ve been looking for a good lo mein recipe for years…stumbled across this one via a Google search and I’m so glad I did! Super easy prep and delicious. A big hit! I will definitely be adding it to the regular rotation.
Note – I had a 14 oz package of lo mein noodles and a teenage son, so I almost doubled the sauce recipe. Didn’t have spinach on hand so swapped shredded green cabbage. Delicious!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Jana!
Picky family approved!! There is a very popular restaurant at a resort in Orlando, FL that is famous for their noodles… That dish is a family favorite. Tonight we finally found a recipe that is just as good if not better !!! Thank you so much!
WOWZA! This is what I love to read, Tonia!
Really good. Very satisfied & will make again. Used way less spinach.
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, LaVaDu!
We really liked this recipe, our noodles came in 10 oz package so we’ll adapt it and make more sauce next time. I recommend trying this recipe first, it’s a great recipe, however, the next time we’ll do some more vegetables maybe a little different variety. We like to mix things up a little, but also, probably use same recipe again too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Tim!