Description
Sweet and savory garlic chicken lo mein brings Chinese takeout flavors straight to home kitchens. Tender noodles and juicy chicken create a quick, satisfying meal packed with authentic seasonings and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 8 oz (226 g) lo mein noodles (or spaghetti noodles)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsps oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for a sweeter taste)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup snap peas or broccoli florets
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Noodle Preparation: Bring water to a vigorous boil in a large pot, submerge lo mein noodles, and cook until perfectly al dente following package instructions. Drain thoroughly and shock with cold water to cease cooking, then delicately coat with sesame oil to prevent sticking.
- Protein Searing: Heat a spacious wok or skillet over high flame, introduce chicken pieces, and create a golden, caramelized exterior by allowing undisturbed sizzling for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside, preserving the precious pan juices.
- Aromatic Infusion: In the same heated vessel, quickly sauté minced garlic and ginger until fragrant, releasing their essential oils and creating a robust flavor foundation. Incorporate sliced vegetables, stir-frying rapidly to maintain crisp texture and vibrant color.
- Sauce Integration: Pour soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice vinegar into the vegetable mixture, stirring dynamically to distribute flavors evenly. Reintroduce seared chicken and reserved noodles, tossing with precision to ensure complete coating and uniform heat distribution.
- Final Assembly: Allow entire mixture to harmonize for 2-3 minutes, permitting sauce to slightly reduce and intensify. Garnish with fresh scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, serving immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Prevent Noodle Sticking: Rinse noodles with cold water immediately after boiling and toss with sesame oil to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect texture and smooth separation.
- Master Noodle Doneness: Follow package instructions carefully, aiming for al dente texture – tender but with a slight bite, which prevents mushy or overly soft noodles that can ruin the dish’s overall mouthfeel.
- Optimize Flavor Absorption: Allow noodles to cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients, enabling them to better absorb the garlic and sauce without becoming soggy or losing their distinct texture.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute wheat lo mein noodles with gluten-free alternatives like rice noodles or zucchini noodles for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the dish’s core flavor profile while accommodating different nutritional requirements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg