Chicken Chow Mein with the Best Chow Mein Sauce: Better Than Takeout at Home

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If you’ve ever wished you could recreate restaurant-style chow mein at home—with perfectly coated noodles, tender chicken, and that unmistakable savory sauce—this Chicken Chow Mein with the Best Chow Mein Sauce is exactly what you’re looking for. It’s quick, flavorful, and made with simple pantry ingredients, yet tastes just as good (if not better) than takeout.

What sets this recipe apart is the sauce. Chow mein sauce should be bold, slightly savory-sweet, glossy, and rich enough to cling to every noodle without being heavy. This version delivers exactly that, balancing soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of sugar for depth and authentic flavor.

Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or satisfying those Chinese takeout cravings at home, this dish comes together fast and disappears even faster.

What Makes This Chow Mein Sauce the Best

The key to exceptional chow mein isn’t just the noodles—it’s the sauce. A great chow mein sauce should:

  • Coat noodles evenly
  • Enhance chicken and vegetables
  • Be savory with subtle sweetness
  • Stay glossy, not watery

This sauce achieves that balance with a simple cornstarch slurry for thickness and just enough sesame oil for aroma without overpowering the dish.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Chow Mein

  • Chow mein noodles
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • Vegetable oil
  • Garlic, minced
  • Shredded green cabbage
  • Julienned carrots
  • Green onions

For the Best Chow Mein Sauce

  • Soy sauce (low sodium)
  • Oyster sauce
  • Hoisin sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Chicken broth or water

Instructions

  1. Cook the Noodles
    Cook chow mein noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Sauce
    In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, cornstarch, and broth. Set aside.
  3. Cook the Chicken
    Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables
    Add a bit more oil if needed. Sauté garlic, cabbage, and carrots until just tender but still crisp.
  5. Combine Everything
    Return chicken to the pan, add noodles, then pour in the sauce. Toss everything together until noodles are coated and sauce thickens.
  6. Finish & Serve
    Stir in green onions, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve hot.

Chicken Chow Mein with the Best Chow Mein Sauce

Classic chicken chow mein made with tender noodles, crisp vegetables, and a rich, glossy homemade chow mein sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Chow Mein
  • 12 oz chow mein noodles
  • 1 lb chicken breast thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups green cabbage shredded
  • 1 cup carrots julienned
  • 3 stalks green onions sliced
Best Chow Mein Sauce
  • 0.25 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth or water

Equipment

  • Wok or large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Cook noodles according to package directions and drain.
  2. Whisk together all chow mein sauce ingredients.
  3. Cook chicken in hot oil until cooked through; remove.
  4. Stir-fry garlic and vegetables until tender-crisp.
  5. Return chicken, add noodles and sauce, toss until coated.

Notes

Prep ingredients before cooking—stir-fry moves quickly.

Tips for Perfect Chow Mein at Home

  • Use high heat for authentic stir-fry flavor
  • Prep everything before cooking—it moves fast
  • Don’t overcook noodles; they finish in the pan
  • Toss constantly to prevent sticking

Variations & Add-Ins

  • Vegetable Chow Mein: Skip chicken, add mushrooms and bell peppers
  • Spicy Chow Mein: Add chili garlic sauce
  • Shrimp Chow Mein: Swap chicken for shrimp
  • Low-Sodium: Use reduced-sodium sauces

Serving Suggestions

Serve Chicken Chow Mein with:

  • Egg rolls or spring rolls
  • Steamed dumplings
  • Hot and sour soup
  • Simple cucumber salad

Better Than Takeout, Every Time

This Chicken Chow Mein with the Best Chow Mein Sauce delivers everything you love about your favorite takeout—savory noodles, juicy chicken, and crave-worthy sauce—made fresh in your own kitchen. Once you try it, it’ll become a regular on your dinner rotation.

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