Elevate Your Dinner with Easy Chicken Lo Mein

Indulge in the savory flavors of Easy Chicken Lo Mein, a classic dish that brings the essence of Chinese takeout right to your kitchen. This comprehensive guide is dedicated to helping you craft a mouthwatering version of this beloved noodle dish, one that promises to be better than your local takeout. With insights on selecting the right ingredients, achieving the perfect noodle texture, and mastering the art of stir-fry, this article is your ticket to a delectable culinary journey. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, discover how simple it is to transform everyday ingredients into a stunning meal that will impress family and friends alike.

What Makes Chicken Lo Mein Irresistible?

Chicken Lo Mein is a dish celebrated for its rich flavors and varied textures. The secret to its irresistibility lies in the seamless combination of tender noodles, succulent chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a glossy, umami-packed sauce. Unlike its counterpart, Chow Mein, which is characterized by its crispiness, Lo Mein features soft noodles that absorb the savory sauce, creating a perfect bite every time. This dish is not just food; it’s a cultural experience, offering a taste of Chinese culinary tradition with every spoonful. By understanding the components that make Chicken Lo Mein so appealing, you can recreate and even enhance this classic dish in your kitchen.

Choosing the Right Noodles for the Perfect Lo Mein

The noodles are the backbone of any Lo Mein dish, and selecting the right type is crucial for achieving authentic texture and taste. While traditional Lo Mein noodles are ideal, accessibility might lead you to consider alternatives like spaghetti or linguine. The goal is to cook the noodles until they are just al dente, retaining a slight chewiness that complements the other dish elements. Whether you opt for wheat-based noodles or experiment with egg or rice varieties, understanding how each type interacts with the sauce and ingredients is key to Lo Mein’s success.

The Secret to the Perfect Lo Mein Sauce

The sauce is what truly sets a great Chicken Lo Mein apart. A perfect balance of soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, and a hint of sugar creates a rich, multi-layered flavor that coats the noodles and ingredients beautifully. This concoction should be both sweet and savory, offering depth to the dish that transcends the ordinary. Experimentation with ingredients like oyster sauce or a dash of Chinese cooking wine can add personal touches to your Lo Mein, allowing the sauce to become a signature of your culinary style.

Prepping Your Ingredients for Success

Effective preparation is key to the art of stir-frying, the cooking method central to making Chicken Lo Mein. Start by slicing your chicken into thin, even pieces to ensure quick, uniform cooking. Vegetables should be julienned or chopped into bite-sized pieces, promoting a pleasant textural contrast and ensuring they cook at the same pace. This meticulous prep work, known as mise en place, sets the stage for a smooth cooking process, allowing you to focus on the art of stir-frying without distractions.

The Art of Stir-Frying: Techniques and Tips

Mastering stir-frying is essential for authentic Chicken Lo Mein. This high-heat, rapid-cooking method is designed to retain the freshness and crunch of vegetables while ensuring the chicken remains tender and juicy. The key is a boiling pan and quick movement; ingredients should be stirred and tossed continuously to prevent burning while allowing even cooking. This technique not only imbues the dish with a distinctive wok hei (the breath of the wok) but also locks in flavors, creating a vibrant, dynamic eating experience.

Vegetable Varieties: Making Your Lo Mein Colorful and Nutritious

The inclusion of a variety of vegetables not only adds color and nutritional value to Chicken Lo Mein but also introduce different textures and flavors to the dish. From the sweetness of carrots to the crispness of bell peppers and the subtle bitterness of cabbage, each vegetable contributes its unique note. This diversity ensures that each bite is a discovery, making the dish a complete, balanced meal. Plus, utilizing seasonal vegetables can elevate the freshness and overall taste of your Lo Mein, making it a versatile dish for any time of the year.

Customizing Your Chicken Lo Mein: Tips and Variations

One of the greatest appeals of Chicken Lo Mein is its adaptability. Whether catering to dietary restrictions or personal taste preferences, the dish can be easily modified. Substituting chicken with tofu, beef, or shrimp can transform the dish, while the addition of different vegetables or sauces can customize the flavor profile to your liking. This versatility makes Chicken Lo Mein a staple for any cook’s repertoire and ensures it never becomes mundane, allowing endless culinary exploration.

Serving and Pairing

Chicken Lo Mein, while substantial and fulfilling on its own, reaches new heights when accompanied by the right side dishes, transforming an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience reminiscent of a lavish Chinese banquet. To complement the rich and savory flavors of the Lo Mein, consider serving light and refreshing sides such as a crisp cucumber salad, which can introduce a refreshing crunch and a touch of acidity, or tender steamed dumplings that offer a soft contrast to the chewy noodles. A side of lightly sautéed green beans or a tangy Asian slaw can add a vibrant, colorful component to your meal, enhancing the overall palate with their fresh, contrasting flavors.

Storing and Reheating

Maintaining the freshness and flavor of your Chicken Lo Mein is crucial for enjoying the dish beyond its initial serving. The key to preservation lies in proper cooling and storage techniques. After dining, promptly cool the remaining Lo Mein to prevent bacterial growth and maintain its quality. Transfer the cooled noodles to an airtight container before placing them in the refrigerator, which will help to retain the moisture and flavors of the dish while preventing unwanted odors from permeating. When it comes time to reheat your Lo Mein, employ gentle methods to restore the dish’s original texture and taste. Adding a modest amount of water or a dash of additional soy sauce before warming can reintroduce moisture lost during refrigeration, reviving the noodles and ensuring they remain succulent and flavorful.

Key Takeaways:

• Selecting the right type of noodles and cooking them al dente is crucial for the perfect Lo Mein.
• The sauce is central to the dish, with a balance of soy sauce, sesame oil, and hoisin sauce creating a rich flavor.
• Preparation and stir-frying techniques are key to ensuring each ingredient contributes to the final dish.
• Chicken Lo Mein can be customized with various proteins and vegetables, making it adaptable to different tastes and dietary needs.
• Proper storage and reheating techniques ensure your Lo Mein remains delicious for subsequent meals.

Embrace the joy of cooking with this guide to Chicken Lo Mein, a dish that promises not only to satisfy your cravings but also to introduce you to the delightful complexities of Chinese cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for lo mein noodles?

Another name for lo mein noodles is “stir-fried noodles,” as “lo mein” translates from Cantonese, meaning “tossed noodles.” These noodles are also commonly referred to in various parts of China and worldwide as “Chinese spaghetti” due to their similar appearance and texture. In the context of different Chinese noodle dishes, they might be distinguished from “chow mein” noodles, which are typically fried to a crispier texture. Lo mein noodles are known for their soft, elastic texture, making them distinct from their crunchier counterparts, providing a versatile base for a variety of savory sauces and toppings in traditional Chinese cuisine.

What is chicken lo mein made of?

Chicken lo mein is a popular Chinese dish made from a combination of ingredients that typically include lo mein noodles, which are wheat-based and slightly elastic, and bite-sized pieces of chicken, often marinated and then stir-fried to perfection. The dish is also packed with a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, and onions, adding crunch, color, and nutrition. The ingredients are tossed in a savory sauce composed of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sometimes oyster sauce or hoisin sauce, creating a rich, flavorful dish that balances the umami of the sauce with the freshness of the vegetables and the tenderness of the chicken.

Why are lo mein noodles so good?

Lo mein noodles are celebrated for their delightfully chewy texture and their ability to absorb flavors, making them a staple in Chinese cuisine. Their goodness comes from the perfect balance of wheat-based dough and egg, which gives them a satisfying bite and elasticity. This texture allows them to mingle beautifully with a variety of sauces, absorbing the rich, savory flavors typical of Chinese dishes. Moreover, lo mein noodles are incredibly versatile, pairing well with different proteins, vegetables, and sauces, which makes them a crowd-pleaser. Their universal appeal lies in their ability to be both a comfort food and a base for culinary creativity, satisfying a wide range of palates.

What to serve with lo mein?

Serving lo mein as part of a larger meal allows for a variety of pairings. Consider complementing it with lighter dishes such as steamed broccoli, bok choy, or a crisp cucumber salad to balance the richness of the noodles. For a more substantial meal, pair lo mein with protein-rich sides like dumplings, egg rolls, or spring rolls, which add a crunchy texture and additional flavors to the dining experience. Soup, such as egg drop or hot and sour, can also accompany lo mein, providing a soothing contrast to the stir-fried nature of the noodles. These combinations create a well-rounded, satisfying meal that encapsulates the diversity and balance fundamental to Chinese cuisine.

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easy chicken lo mein noodles

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• Author: recipedetail
• Total Time: 35 minuts

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Description

Master the art of Chicken Lo Mein with our step-by-step guide. Discover tips for perfect noodles, savory sauces, and ideal pairings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Lo Mein Sauce
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce or Hoisin sauce
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Chicken Stir Fry
• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large chicken breasts cut into thin strips
• 8 ounces white button mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms sliced
• 8 ounces Chinese noodles or lo mein noodles
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 medium carrots peeled and cut julienne
• 1 red bell pepper sliced thin
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage or Napa cabbage
• 4 green onions thinly sliced

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Instructions

• Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. Set it aside for a few minutes.
• Add a little olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until lightly browned. Flip the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Plate the chicken and work in batches if needed so you don’t crowd the pan.
• Add a little more olive oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Add them to the plate with the chicken and cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to boil. Cook the noodles al dente according to package instructions. Don’t overcook the noodles. Rinse and drain well.
• If needed, add a little more olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion and carrots to the skillet over medium-high heat. Stir fry for 2 minutes, then add the bell pepper and stir fry for 2-3 minutes or until the veggies are crisp-tender. Plate the veggies and cover them loosely to keep them warm.
• Add just a touch more oil and cook the cabbage for 2-3 minutes or just until it starts to wilt. Plate the cabbage with the other vegetables.
• Reduce the heat on the skillet to medium-low. Whisk the sauce mixture that you set aside and add to the skillet, cooking until thickened while whisking frequently.
• Add the chicken, veggies, and noodles to the skillet and toss to coat. Top with thinly sliced green onions and serve promptly.

Notes

• Cut your chicken into small thin bite size pieces so they cook quickly. Think of what they will look like on the end of a set of chopsticks.
• Honey can be substituted for brown sugar.
• Only some people have access to oyster sauce or like it, so feel free to substitute Hoisin Sauce. The flavor will be a little different, but it is equally delicious. Hoisin Sauce can be found in the Asian section of your local grocery store with the other jarred sauces.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: main meal chicken
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 391 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 960 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 32 g

Keywords: Chicken Lo Mein