Chicken Chow Mein - Mohsin Blogs

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Chicken Chow Mein Recipe – New York Street Style Chinese

Chicken Chow Mein or Chow Mein Chicken is a famous Chinese dish loved by the people all around the world especially in countries like the USA, UK, and, of course, in China. It’s chicken stir-fried with assorted vegetables and tossed with noodles, flavored with soy sauce and other umami-rich seasonings. Chow Mein has a wonderful contrast of textures and umami flavor that makes it a complete meal for you anytime.

Let’s get into the history of Chicken Chow Mein and a recipe to prepare it! Whether you’re a kitchen novice or an expert, this easy-to-follow recipe guarantees delicious results every time.

The Origins of Chow Mein

Chow Mein The name Chow Mein comes from the Chinese word chao mian, meaning “stir-fried noodles.” It’s a staple of Cantonese cuisine and is thought to have originated in the Guangdong province of southern China. As the dish traveled the world, it became adapted to suit different local tastes and sensibilities, leading to an explosion of regional varieties.

Chow Mein from authentic Chinese cuisine are thin, dried crispy noodles stir-fried with certain vegetables, meat or tofu. Typically cooked in a wok, the dish gets a signature “wok hei” flavor — a smoky aroma that adds to the overall taste of the dish. In the Western countries, Chicken Chow Mein and its alternatives became popular as a fast and filling dish.

Why Chicken Chow Mein?

Chicken Chow Mein is an ideal meal for anyone who enjoys a diet determined by a combination of lean protein with vegetables of all varieties mixed into a great tasting sauce. Not all Chinese noodle based dishes are heavy or greasy-therefore Chicken Chow Mein recipe is a lighter and healthier option, while delivering great taste.

The key ingredients of Chicken Chow Mein are chicken breast (or thigh), carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, onions, and chow mein noodles. The sauce generally consists of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and a pinch of sugar that gives dish its signature salty-sweet-umami taste.

What You Need to Make Chicken Chow Mein

Before you begin, here are some important ingredients to get your hands on to make a nice Chicken Chow Mein:

For the Chicken Marinade:

450g boneless skinless chicken breast or thigh, sliced thin
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
A pinch of salt and pepper

For the Stir-Fry:

8 oz (225g) chow mein noodles (or any thin egg noodles)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, julienned (cut into thin matchsticks)
1 bell pepper (red, green, or yellow), sliced thin
1/2 small cabbage, shredded (or napa cabbage)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1-inch knob ginger, grated or minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, plus more for serving (optional)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon white pepper (for extra heat, optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2-3 green onions sliced (used to garnish)
Garnish (optional): toasted sesame seeds

For Garnish:

A few sprigs of cilantro or parsley (optional)
Red chili flakes (optional)

How to Make Chicken Chow Mein with Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

You can start by prepping the chicken. Cut the chicken breast (or thigh) into thin slices across the grain. In a bowl, combine sliced chicken with soy sauce, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt and pepper — to tenderize and flavor. Marinate the chicken for about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the Noodles

In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiled, add in the chow mein noodles and cook as per package instructions (around 3 – 5 min for fresh and about 6 – 7 min for dry noodles). Drain the noodles, and rinse with cold water to avoid sticking. You want to drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the noodles to keep them from clumping. Set them aside.

Step3 Sautéing the vegetables

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil once hot. Fry the onions, carrots and bell peppers for 2–3 minutes until the onions are directly on the softened but remain crisp. Add the slaw and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes. The vegetables should be tender, but still crunchy, so don’t overcook them.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Move the vegetables to one side of the pan. In the same wok or skillet, add a little more oil if needed and cook the marinated chicken. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on the outside. Toss the chicken every now and then to make sure it cooks uniformly.

Step Five: Noodles, Chicken, and Sauce Go Together

After you cook the chicken, you can toss in the cooked noodles to the wok. You want to toss everything, breaking up the chicken and vegetables and coating them with the noodles. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), sugar and white pepper. Continue stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes, until noodles are coated in sauce and heated through.

Step 6: Final Touches

Add the sesame oil to the noodles and toss everything together one last time. Taste the dish, and adjust seasoning if you need to — you can add more soy sauce if you want salt, or a pinch of sugar if you want sweetness.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the Chicken Chow Mein to a serving platter. Top with freshly chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a few sprigs of cilantro or parsley if you like. Serve hot, and enjoy!

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN TIPS AND VARIATIONS

Vegetable Variations: You can use any combination of vegetables. Chicken Chow Mein is also great with mushrooms, snow peas, baby corn, or bok choy.

Noodle Substitutes: Chow mein noodles are traditional, but you can use other noodles like egg noodles or rice noodles or even spaghetti if necessary. Just make sure the noodles are cooked al dente so they don’t get soft and mushy.

Spicy Twist: For those who enjoy a kick in their Chow Mein, add sliced chili peppers, or a drizzle of chili oil, to the noodles while they are being stir-fried.

Add Tofu: Skip the chicken, and use tofu or tempeh (for a vegetarian version). Tofu works if you press it first to squeeze out excess moisture.

Make It Your Own: Adjust the sauce to taste For a deeper flavor, add a little more oyster or hoisin sauce. If you like a lighter sauce, use less soy sauce, and use low-sodium soy sauce.

Crunchy Noodles: You can also pan-fry the noodles for crispy noodles before combining with the sauce. Heat oil in another pan, fry the cooked noodles to crispy, golden, and pull into stir.

Conclusion

A breezy yummy and oh-so-easy to make Chicken Chow Mein that embodies Chinese stir-fry cooking. With its tender chicken, crisp vegetables and savory noodles, it’s a meal in and of itself. Whether you’re preparing to serve this for a weeknight meal, or something more elaborate for a larger group, Chicken Chow Mein is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Make this recipe, play around with it and enjoy the flavors of one of China’s most cherished noodle dishes!