Quick And Easy Chicken Chow Mein
A quick and flavorful chicken chow mein featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory soy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 c. cooked chicken, cut into thin strips ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. coarsely chopped red or green bell pepper ⓘ
- 1 tsp. chicken-flavor instant bouillon ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. water ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 16 oz. can bean sprouts, drained and rinsed ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/4 c. cold water
- chow mein noodles or hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, combine cooked chicken, sliced celery, chopped onion, chopped red or green bell pepper, chicken-flavor instant bouillon, sugar, pepper, 1 1/2 cups water, and soy sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a boil; then reduce heat to simmer.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in drained and rinsed bean sprouts.
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Carefully add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the chicken and vegetable mixture over chow mein noodles or hot cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in soy sauce and garlic before cooking. You can substitute the chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option. If you prefer different vegetables, snow peas or carrots are excellent choices. Adjust the soy sauce to your taste, especially if you enjoy a saltier dish. For a spicy kick, add some chili flakes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Chicken Chow Mein over crispy chow mein noodles for a delightful crunch, or opt for hot cooked rice for a heartier meal. This dish pairs beautifully with other Chinese recipes like Sesame Chicken Bits or Tojo'S Wacky Wok Chicken, making it great for a themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to prevent drying out. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Quick And Easy Chicken Chow Mein contains roughly 267 calories, with 8g protein, 55g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (67% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 729mg per serving (32% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use uncooked chicken instead of cooked?
Yes, you can use uncooked chicken. Simply slice it thinly, add it to the skillet first, and cook until no longer pink before adding the vegetables and other ingredients. This may require a few extra minutes of cooking time.
What can I substitute for soy sauce?
If you're looking for a soy sauce substitute, try using tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos as a lower-sodium alternative. You can also make a quick alternative by mixing 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce with a bit of water.
Can I add more vegetables to this dish?
Absolutely! This recipe is versatile, so feel free to add more vegetables like bok choy, mushrooms, or broccoli. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time so all vegetables are tender yet crisp.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).