How to Make Chicken Chow Mein Like Your Favorite Takeaway

If you love ordering takeaway chicken chow mein, but wish you could make it at home, then this article is for you! In this guide, we’ll show you how to create delicious chicken chow mein that’s just like the takeaway, but in a relaxed and easy-to-follow manner. Whether you want to impress your family or friends with your cooking skills, or just want to treat yourself to some comforting Chinese food from the comfort of your home, this recipe has you covered.

Chicken chow mein is a popular and flavorful dish that’s a staple in Chinese cuisine. It’s made with tender pieces of chicken, stir-fried Chinese vegetables, and noodles cooked to perfection in a savory sauce. While it may seem intimidating to make at home, we’ll show you that it’s actually quite simple! With a few key ingredients and some patience, you’ll be able to create a delicious and authentic chicken chow mein that will impress even the pickiest of eaters. So, let’s get started!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Chicken Chow Mein

To make chicken chow mein like a takeaway, you need to have the necessary ingredients ready. Here are the things you’ll need:

1. Chicken breast or thigh
2. Chow mein noodles
3. Vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, bok choy, bell peppers)
4. Onion and garlic
5. Soy sauce
6. Chicken bouillon
7. Oyster sauce
8. Sesame oil
9. Cornstarch
10. Vegetable oil

Preparing the Chicken

First, start by preparing the chicken. Cut the chicken into thin slices or small chunks and season with salt and pepper. In a hot wok or frying pan, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and cook the chicken until brown and crispy. Set it aside for later.

Cooking the Noodles

Cook the chow mein noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain the noodles and rinse them in cold water to prevent them from sticking. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the noodles and mix well to prevent them from sticking together.

Preparing the Vegetables

Chop all the vegetables into bite-size pieces. In the same wok or frying pan used to cook the chicken, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for a few minutes until they’re tender but still crunchy.

Making the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix two tablespoons of soy sauce, one tablespoon of oyster sauce, two teaspoons of sesame oil, one teaspoon of chicken bouillon, and one tablespoon of cornstarch. Add this mixture to the vegetables and stir-fry for another minute.

Assembling the Chow Mein

Add the cooked noodles and chicken to the wok with the vegetables and sauce. Mix everything together well and keep stir-frying until all the ingredients are heated through.

Tips for Getting the Best Chicken Chow Mein

Here are some tips to make sure your chicken chow mein is as good as takeaway:

1. Cut all the ingredients into similar sizes to cook evenly.
2. Don’t overcook the vegetables, as they should still be crunchy.
3. Mix the sauce ingredients separately before adding to the wok to avoid lumps.
4. Use a high heat and stir-fry quickly to get a smoky flavor.
5. Add extra soy sauce or salt according to your taste.

Final Thoughts

With just a few simple steps and fresh ingredients, you can make delicious chicken chow mein like a takeaway. This recipe is customizable to your taste, so feel free to experiment with the ingredients and amounts until you find your perfect combination. Happy cooking!

Ingredients for Chicken Chow Mein

Making chicken chow mein that tastes like the takeaway involves getting the right blend of spices and fresh ingredients. Below are some of the ingredients you’ll need for your recipe:

1. Chicken breast or thigh

The first component of chicken chow mein is chicken, and you can use either breast or thigh fillets depending on your preference. Don’t cut the chicken too thickly, because it will take longer to cook. A quarter-inch thickness should be enough.

2. Fresh vegetables

You can add your favourite vegetables to your chicken chow mein to make it more nutritious and savoury. Carrots, onions, bell peppers, and bean sprouts are common choices. You can also use celery, bok choy, or snow peas.

3. Noodles

To get the right texture of chow mein, you need to use thin wheat flour noodles. You can find them in the Asian section of most supermarkets. You can also use egg noodles, but they may not give you the authentic flavour.

4. Soy sauce

You will need soy sauce to add salty flavour to your chow mein. You can use either light or dark soy sauce depending on how intense the flavour you want to achieve.

5. Oyster sauce

Oyster sauce is used in most Chinese dishes and can lend a distinct savoury flavour to your chow mein. You can find it in any major supermarket or Asian grocery store.

6. Sesame oil

Sesame oil is used sparingly to add flavour to the dish and give it a nutty aroma. Be careful not to use too much as it can overwhelm the dish.

7. Garlic and ginger

Garlic and ginger are flavourful additions that can improve the taste of your chow mein. You can opt to use either fresh or powdered.

8. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce for the chow mein, giving it a glossier finish.

9. Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is used to fry and brown the chicken and vegetables. You can use sunflower oil, peanut oil or rapeseed oil as alternatives.

10. Water or chicken broth

Finally, you will need water or chicken broth to create a balance and make the dish juicy. Chicken broth gives the dish an extra depth and savoury flavour.

Ingredients needed to make chicken chow mein

Making chicken chow mein at home requires a few essential ingredients and some preparation. Let’s take a look at the ingredients you need to make a delicious plate of chicken chow mein at home.

1. Chicken breast/thighs

The first ingredient you’re going to need is a good-quality chicken breast or thighs. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs work well in this recipe. Cut the chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces, whichever you prefer.

2. Chow mein noodles

For this recipe, you’ll need chow mein noodles, which are Chinese egg noodles. They are readily available in most supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. Make sure to cook them according to the package instructions until they are al dente.

3. Vegetables

A good chicken chow mein dish should have plenty of veggies. You can use any vegetables of your choice, but some common options include sliced cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and bean sprouts. Cut them into thin strips if needed.

4. Sauces and spices

To make the perfect chicken chow mein sauce, you’ll need light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar, and minced garlic. Additionally, you could use a bit of Chinese five-spice powder and dried chili flakes to add some heat and complexity to the dish.

5. Garnishes

Garnishing your chicken chow mein with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions can add a burst of freshness to the dish. Additionally, you can add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor.

Sit back and enjoy!

That’s how you make chicken chow mein like the takeaway! We hope you enjoyed following our relaxed recipe and learning some new tips along the way. Thanks for reading our article, we appreciate your time and we hope to see you again soon. Don’t forget to experiment with different vegetables and add your own spin to this classic dish!