Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes. Crispy noodles, juicy veggies, and a savory sauce. Better than takeout! If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Korean Strawberry Milk Recipe for Summer and Refreshing Pineapple Margarita Mocktail Recipe.
Why This Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy noodles that stay crispy
- Packed with fresh veggies
- Savory sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy to customize with your favorite proteins
What You'll Need for Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 8 oz chow mein noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- Optional: Sesame seeds
- Optional: Chopped cilantro
- Optional: Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Chow mein noodles: Use fresh noodles for best results.
- Vegetable oil: You can also use peanut oil or canola oil.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Wok — Even heat for perfect stir-frying. → See on Amazon
- Mandoline slicer — Quickly and safely slice veggies thin. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
- Cook noodles: Cook chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
- Stir-fry: Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Remove chicken from wok and set aside. In the same wok, add garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute. Add cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. Add bean sprouts and green onions. Cook for 1-2 more minutes. Return chicken to wok. Pour sauce over chicken and veggies. Toss to coat. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve: Divide chow mein among plates. Top with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
- Pro tip: For extra crispy noodles, toss them in a bit of oil before adding to the wok.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the veggies. They should still have a bit of crunch. If they're getting too soft, reduce heat and add a bit of water to the wok.
- Pro tip: For a spicy version, add some chopped Thai chiles or red pepper flakes to the wok with the garlic and ginger.
- Pro tip: To make this dish vegetarian or vegan, simply omit the chicken or replace it with tofu or tempeh.
Storing & Reheating Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prep the veggies and sauce ahead of time. Cook the noodles and chicken just before serving.
Freezing Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your noodles are gluten-free.
- Best substitution: You can use any combination of veggies you like. Broccoli, bok choy, and snap peas are all great options.
- Make-ahead: See 'Make Ahead' in the Storage section.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water. If it's too thin, cook it a bit longer to reduce it.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat mallet — Pounds chicken thin for even cooking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz chow mein noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, chopped
Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Optional Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped cilantro
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
Instructions
- Cook noodles: Cook chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water. Set aside.
- Stir-fry: Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned. Remove chicken from wok and set aside. In the same wok, add garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute. Add cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. Add bean sprouts and green onions. Cook for 1-2 more minutes. Return chicken to wok. Pour sauce over chicken and veggies. Toss to coat. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve: Divide chow mein among plates. Top with optional toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your noodles are gluten-free.
- Best substitution: You can use any combination of veggies you like. Broccoli, bok choy, and snap peas are all great options.
- Make-ahead: See 'Make Ahead' in the Storage section.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water. If it's too thin, cook it a bit longer to reduce it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can prep the veggies and sauce ahead of time. Cook the noodles and chicken just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes FAQs
See 'Make Ahead' in the Storage section.
Overcooking the noodles or not draining them properly can cause them to become soggy. Make sure to cook them according to package instructions and drain well before using.
Yes, you can use frozen veggies. Just make sure to thaw them completely before using and adjust cooking time accordingly.
Yes, you can make this in the air fryer. Cook the noodles and chicken separately at 375°F for 5-7 minutes each. Then, stir-fry the veggies and combine everything in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
For even cooking, slice the chicken thinly against the grain. A meat mallet can help with this.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Chinese Chow Mein with Fresh Veggies in 25 Minutes and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
