Chicken Chow Mein with Cabbage and Supermarket Noodles
Cook chicken chow mein with thin chicken, cabbage, carrot, green onion, soy sauce, oyster sauce alternatives, and spaghetti-friendly noodles.
noodles, chicken, takeout-style, family-friendly
Slice chicken thinly and toss with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a little oil while noodles cook.
Boil noodles until just tender, then drain well. Rinse only if they are very starchy or sticky.
Cook chicken until it loses its raw color, then add cabbage, carrot, green onion whites, garlic, and ginger.
Add noodles, oyster sauce, remaining soy sauce, and a splash of water. Toss until the noodles are evenly coated.
Use dried chow mein noodles, ramen noodles, spaghetti, or linguine depending on availability.
Green cabbage is usually cheaper and easier to find than napa cabbage.
Pre-sliced stir-fry chicken can save prep time if it is cut thinly.
Use turkey, tofu, or shrimp instead of chicken.
Use coleslaw mix instead of slicing cabbage and carrot.
Use hoisin plus soy sauce if oyster sauce is unavailable.
Chicken: Chicken thigh, Chicken breast, Turkey breast. Thin slices cook fast and stay tender with a short cornstarch marinade.
Noodles: Dried chow mein noodles, Ramen noodles, Spaghetti. Avoid overcooking noodles before they reach the skillet; they continue softening when tossed.
Cabbage: Green cabbage, Napa cabbage, Bagged coleslaw mix. Cabbage is more reliable than bean sprouts in many Western supermarkets.
Can I make chicken chow mein with spaghetti?
Yes. Spaghetti is not traditional, but it works when cooked al dente and tossed with a concentrated sauce.
What is the difference between chow mein and lo mein?
In this home-cooking context, chow mein is a drier stir-fried noodle dish, while lo mein is usually softer and more sauce-tossed.
Yes. Bagged cabbage and carrot mix is a useful shortcut for weeknight chow mein.