Quick Chicken Lo Mein: 30 Min of Deliciousness

Life can get so busy, right? Sometimes, the last thing you want to do after a long day is spend hours in the kitchen. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Chicken Lo Mein recipe with you! It’s one of those dishes that feels like a real treat, but it comes together in a flash. I’m Jordan Bell, by the way, and I’m a recipe developer from sunny Asheville, North Carolina. After my own journey shedding about 80 pounds, I discovered a passion for taking those comforting, soul-satisfying Southern classics I grew up loving and making them clean and healthy. My blog, Easy Detox Recipes, is all about showing you how to do just that, and this quick Chicken Lo Mein is the perfect example of clean comfort food that actually fits into your busy life.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Lo Mein

Seriously, this recipe is a weeknight miracle! If you’re dreaming of a delicious noodle dish that tastes like takeout but is actually good for you, you’ve found it. It’s one of those meals that makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something amazing, even when you’re short on time.

• It’s super quick – ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish!
• You probably have most of the ingredients already, or they’re easy to grab at any grocery store.
• It’s loaded with good stuff like lean chicken and lots of fresh veggies.
• It’s just plain satisfying and packed with flavor. A total win for your taste buds!

Gathering Your Chicken Lo Mein Ingredients

Alright, let’s get down to business and gather everything we need to whip up this amazing Chicken Lo Mein! It’s all about having your ducks in a row so the cooking part is a breeze. You’ll need a few things for the sauce to make it super flavorful, and then the goodies for the stir-fry itself. Don’t worry if you don’t have *exactly* what’s listed, I’ve popped some ideas for swaps down below!

Component	Item	Quantity	Preparation Notes
Lo Mein Sauce	Chicken Broth	1/3 cup	Low-sodium is best here!
	Soy Sauce	4 tbsp	We’ll talk about gluten-free options in a sec!
	Brown Sugar	2 tbsp	Make sure it’s packed down.
	Sesame Oil	2 tsp	Toasted is where it’s at for that nutty flavor.
Lo Mein Ingredients	Noodles	8 oz	Lo mein noodles are great, but other Asian-style ones work too!
	Oil for Stir-fry	1 tbsp	Olive, avocado, or more sesame oil – your call!
	Chicken Breast or Thighs	1 lb	Cut into nice thin strips. Boneless and skinless, please!
	Carrots	2 large	Peeled and sliced thinly. Little rounds or matchsticks work.
	Onion	1 large	Just slice it up thinly.
	Broccoli Florets	2 cups	Cut into bite-sized pieces.
	Garlic	4 cloves	Minced up nice and fine.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Chicken Lo Mein

Okay, so about those noodles! If you need to skip the gluten, whole wheat lo mein noodles are a fantastic choice, or even some rice noodles can work in a pinch. And for the soy sauce, if you’re going gluten-free, grab some tamari – it’s pretty much a direct swap and tastes just as good! Don’t feel locked into just these veggies, either. Toss in some sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or even some mushrooms if you’ve got them hanging around. The goal is to get a good variety of colors and textures in there!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Lo Mein

Alright, let’s get this amazing Chicken Lo Mein on the table! The beauty of stir-frying is that it moves fast, so having everything prepped is key. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a fantastic meal in no time. Trust me, it’s way easier than you think!

Preparing the Flavorful Lo Mein Sauce

First things first, let’s get that sauce ready. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the chicken broth and brown sugar. Make sure that sugar is totally dissolved – no gritty bits allowed! Then, just stir in the soy sauce and that lovely sesame oil. Give it a good mix and set it aside while you get everything else going. This is the flavor powerhouse!

Prepping Your Chicken and Vegetables

Now for the chopping! Slice your chicken into nice, thin strips – think bite-sized. Do the same for your carrots, onion, and broccoli. We want everything to cook evenly and quickly in the wok. The garlic? Mince it up nice and fine so it really infuses its flavor. Having it all prepped makes the stir-frying part go super smoothly.

Searing the Chicken to Perfection

Get your wok or a large skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add your tablespoon of oil. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the chicken strips. Let them cook without moving them too much for a couple of minutes so they get a nice golden-brown sear. Once they’re golden and cooked through, just scoop them out and set them aside. Don’t clean that wok – all those little browned bits are pure flavor for later!

Stir-Frying the Vegetables for Your Chicken Lo Mein

Add a tiny bit more oil to the hot wok if needed. Toss in your sliced onions and stir-fry them for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften and get a little golden. Then, add your carrots and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they’re tender-crisp. Now, throw in the broccoli florets and sauté for just about 3 minutes. Finally, add your minced garlic and stir it around for about 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!

Bringing It All Together

Okay, here comes the magic! Return that beautifully seared chicken and the softened onions back into the wok with the vegetables. Now, pour that amazing sauce you made earlier all over everything. Give it a good stir and let it simmer for just about 2 minutes. This lets all those flavors get cozy and meld together beautifully. It smells incredible at this point, doesn’t it?

Finishing Your Delicious Chicken Lo Mein

Last but not least, add your cooked noodles right into the wok. Use tongs or two spatulas to gently toss everything together. You want to coat every single noodle and piece of chicken and veggie with that gorgeous sauce. Keep tossing for another minute or two until everything is heated through and perfectly combined. And voilà! Your delicious homemade Chicken Lo Mein is ready to serve!

Tips for Perfect Chicken Lo Mein Every Time

Want your Chicken Lo Mein to be restaurant-worthy? It’s all about a few simple tricks that make a huge difference! First off, make sure your wok or skillet is really hot before anything goes in. That sizzle is what gives you that perfect stir-fried texture, not soggy steamed stuff. If you’ve got a lot of chicken or veggies, don’t try to cram it all in at once! Cook things in batches. It might seem like extra work, but it’s the secret to getting that lovely sear on everything instead of just making it steam. Honestly, have everything chopped, measured, and right by your stove before you even turn on the heat – stir-frying happens fast! Oh, and a little tip for the noodles: cook them just shy of what the package says. They’ll finish cooking in the hot sauce, and you don’t want them to get mushy. Follow these and you’ll be amazed!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Lo Mein

Got questions about making this awesome Chicken Lo Mein? I’ve got answers! It’s always good to know your options and how to troubleshoot, so let’s dive in.

Q: Can I use a different type of protein for this Chicken Lo Mein?

Absolutely! Chicken is great, but this recipe is super versatile. Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or beef sirloin work beautifully. For a lighter option, shrimp cooks up really fast – just add it towards the end with the broccoli! And of course, you can make it vegetarian or vegan by swapping the chicken for extra veggies or firm tofu.

Q: How can I make this Chicken Lo Mein gluten-free?

It’s easy peasy! Just make sure to use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is basically a gluten-free version of soy sauce. Also, double-check your noodles – look for rice noodles or gluten-free lo mein varieties. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Q: What are the best noodles to use for Lo Mein?

Traditional lo mein noodles are fantastic, of course. They have a great chewy texture that holds up well to the sauce. But honestly, any good quality Asian-style egg noodles or even spaghetti can work in a pinch if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Just cook them al dente!

Q: My vegetables seem mushy, what did I do wrong?

Oh no! That usually happens if the pan isn’t hot enough or if you overcrowd it. Stir-frying needs high heat to get that nice crisp-tender texture. Try cooking the veggies in batches if you have a lot, and make sure your wok or skillet is piping hot before adding them. Also, don’t overcook them – they should still have a little bite!

Storing and Reheating Your Chicken Lo Mein

Leftovers of this delicious Chicken Lo Mein are just as good, maybe even better, the next day! The flavors really get a chance to mingle. To keep it fresh, make sure to let it cool down a bit first, then pop it into an airtight container. Store it in the fridge, and it should stay tasty for about 2 to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, you have a couple of easy options for reheating. You can pop it in the microwave for a quick zap until it’s heated through. Or, if you prefer, toss it back into a skillet over medium heat with a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen it up. Either way, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy this meal all over again!

Storage Method	Temperature	Duration	Reheating Method
Airtight Container	Refrigerator	2-3 days	Microwave or stovetop

Nutritional Estimate for Chicken Lo Mein

Just a little heads-up, these numbers are an estimate for one serving of our yummy Chicken Lo Mein. Keep in mind that things can change a bit depending on the exact brands you use and how much of everything you toss in. It’s just a general idea to help you see the good stuff!

Nutrient	Amount (per serving)
Calories	450
Sugar	10g
Sodium	800mg
Fat	15g
Saturated Fat	3g
Unsaturated Fat	12g
Trans Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	40g
Fiber	5g
Protein	35g
Cholesterol	90mg

Share Your Chicken Lo Mein Creations!

I truly hope you give this Chicken Lo Mein a try! It’s such a simple way to get a fantastic meal on the table. I’d absolutely love to hear what you think. Did you try any fun substitutions? How did it turn out for you? Please drop a comment below and share your experience – I can’t wait to read about your delicious creations! You can also find more recipe inspiration on Pinterest.

For more healthy and delicious recipes, check out my blog on Medium.

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