Chicken Chow Mein
Chicken Chow Mein is a perfect party side dish, a great lunch box item for the kids, a perfect meal on its own on days you want something different and definitely a healthier homemade fast food option. It is also one of the best ways to eat veggies or use up veggies that are lying around.
It is very important to have all the ingredients prepped up because once you start cooking, you’ll be plating up very quickly.
Ingredients for Chicken Chow Mein:
There are 4 key ingredients:
1) Noodles: You can easily find these in your local store in the Asian aisle. However, if you can’t find them you can substitute them with spaghetti or some other thin egg noodles. When boiling noodles, I prefer to boil them 1 minute less than the package instructions. This prevents it from becoming mushy when mixing and it cooks off in the sauce.
2) Chicken: You can use chicken thighs or chicken breasts. No matter which chicken piece I use, I always tenderize it using the Chinese restaurant technique of using baking soda (the secret ingredient)! This is called ‘velveting’. It results in melt-in-your-mouth chicken pieces which remains soft even the next day. I like to cut the chicken into thin strips and the best way is to place it in the freezer for 30 minutes and then slice them effortlessly. Both these techniques – velveting and freezing before slicing- I use when I make my Philly Cheese Steak too.
3) Vegetables: The veggies are thinly sliced. I have used carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms and cabbage but feel free to add veggies of your choice. You can add bean sprouts, broccoli, water chestnuts, etc.
4) Sauce: The sauce is everything! Chow Mein gets its signature flavor from the thick, dark homemade sauce. It is the perfect balance of sweet and salty which will stick to your vegetables and noodles.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
It can be reheated in the microwave and also on the stovetop. To reheat on the stove, place the desired portion in a skillet and add a splash of water or broth and cover. Heat on low, covered, until the dish is steaming hot.
Chicken Chow Mein
Ingredients
Ingredients for Marination:
- 250 grams chicken breast cut in strips
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce (Sriracha)
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- 2 tablespoons soya sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon corn flour (or cornstarch)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
Ingredients for Sauce:
- 1/4 cup water / chicken broth (alternatively mix 1/2 chicken bullion cube to 1/4 cup warm water)
- 1 tablespoon cornflour/cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons soya sauce
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 pack Chow Mein noodles (boiled and drained 1 minute less as per the packet instruction)
- 1/2 cup carrots (finely diced or julienned)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup mushrooms (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup cabbage (shredded)
Instructions
Step 1
- Marinate the chicken in the ingredients listed under 'Ingredients for Marination'. Use your hands to mix well ensuring the chicken is well coated.
- Marinate for 15 minutes only (or the chicken will become mushy).
Step 2
- In a small bowl mix together the sauce ingredients.
Step 3
- In a large wok, on high heat add 2 tablespoons of oil and the chopped garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add the marinated chicken and do not touch it for 30 seconds. Then start mixing it. That 1 minute helps seal the juice and keeps the chicken strips moist. Keep cooking on high heat for 2 more minutes.
- Once done, transfer the chicken to a dish.
- Bring the wok back onto the heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the wok, and add the carrots first, Sauté for 1 minute stirring constantly.
- Then add the bell peppers, sauté for 1 minute.
- Then add the mushrooms and the cabbage together and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Finally add back the chicken to the wok along with the sauce and the boiled Chow Mein noodles.
- Stir for 1 minute more and remove from heat.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate chicken for 15 minutes only or it will become mushy. Baking soda is a strong meat tenderizer used in Chinese cooking and it does not alter the taste of the meat.
- To easily cut the chicken breast into strips, place it in the freezer for 15 minutes. It will harden and cutting will be neat and quick.
- If you don’t have chicken broth, heat ¼ cup water and add ½ chicken cube to it or alternatively you can use 1 tablespoon of liquid chicken seasoning.
- Any type of noodles can be used- Egg noodles or Chow mien noodles- but do not overcook them.
- You can skip the vegetables and make it with chicken only.
- To save time from chopping vegetables, buy a packet of coleslaw. These packs can have some large cabbage leaves which you can pull out and cut them smaller.
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