What Is Chicken Chow Mein Made Of? Ingredient Breakdown

Chicken chow mein is a delicious dish that many people enjoy. Today, I’ll be sharing what ingredients go into making chicken chow mein. Enjoy reading!

What is Chicken Chow Mein Made Of?

First, chicken and noodles are essential components. Chicken is tender, rich in protein, and easily absorbed by the body, helping to strengthen the immune system when eaten in moderation.

Noodles have a chewy texture and are a good source of carbohydrates, which help to absorb sauces and blend the flavors of chicken, vegetables, and seasonings.

Next, vegetables are indispensable as they add color and nutrition to the dish. Common vegetable ingredients include onions, carrots, bell peppers, and bean sprouts.

These are rich in vitamins and minerals and provide a refreshing crunch that contrasts nicely with the richer flavors of the chicken and noodles.

Furthermore, seasonings are essential to give the dish its soul. Common seasonings include soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, sugar, chicken bouillon, cooking wine, and cornstarch.

These seasonings add depth and flavor to the chicken chow mein.

When all the ingredients are mixed and cooked carefully, you get a vibrant, flavorful, and aromatic dish of chicken chow mein.

What's the Difference Between Chicken Chow Mein and Lo Mein?

There are several key differences:

Cooking Method

Chicken Chow Mein: The focus is on "stir-frying." The chicken and vegetables are stir-fried first, then pre-cooked or partially cooked noodles are added and stir-fried to allow the noodles to absorb the flavors of the chicken and vegetables. You need to control the heat and cooking time well to get the noodles crispy and flavorful.

Lo Mein: Primarily involves "boiling" and "mixing." Noodles are boiled in water, then drained and mixed in a bowl with sauce and vegetables.

Texture

Chicken Chow Mein: The stir-frying process gives the noodles a slightly crispy texture, with a rich, chewy bite. The dish has a well-rounded flavor as the chicken and vegetables infuse the noodles with their taste.

Lo Mein: The noodles are soft and smooth, having absorbed the sauce well. They maintain their original texture and are generally softer compared to chow mein noodles.

Appearance

Chicken Chow Mein: Since the noodles are stir-fried with various ingredients, they can be a little looser and may sometimes stick together. Making chow mein requires a bit of technique.

Lo Mein: The noodles remain neatly separated, and when served, they are often topped with sauce and vegetables, making it look clean and fresh without clumping.

Vegetable Pairings

Chicken Chow Mein: Typically includes chicken as the main protein with vegetables like carrots, onions, bean sprouts, and leafy greens. These ingredients cook together, allowing their flavors to meld.

Lo Mein: Lo mein often features a variety of vegetables, such as cucumber strips, tomato slices, or egg shreds, and is usually served with sauces like fermented bean paste or sesame sauce. Meat or shrimp may be added, but these are not stir-fried with the noodles. The vegetables are usually added to the top of the noodles.

Is Chicken Chow Mein Healthy?

From an ingredient standpoint, chicken is a high-quality protein source, and it contains several essential micronutrients that boost immunity and provide nourishment. Noodles, typically made from wheat flour, are rich in carbohydrates and provide energy. Adding vegetables like leafy greens and carrots increases fiber intake, which is beneficial for digestion.

However, the stir-frying process uses a fair amount of oil, which increases the calorie and fat content of the dish. Eating chicken chow mein in excess could lead to weight gain. Additionally, chicken contains cholesterol, which can increase the burden on the digestive system.

To make chicken chow mein healthier, consider using whole wheat noodles, reducing oil usage, adding more vegetables, and controlling portion sizes.

How to Make Chicken Chow Mein Like the Takeaway?

Preparing the Ingredients

Marinate the chicken with a little soy sauce, cooking wine, and cornstarch. This will help keep the chicken juicy and tender when stir-fried.

Wash and prepare vegetables, and finely chop garlic and ginger.

Cooking the Noodles

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and oil, then cook the noodles for about 80% of the recommended time.

Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Then, drizzle with a bit of vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

Stir-Frying the Chicken and Vegetables

Heat oil in a pan, add the chopped ginger and garlic to sauté until fragrant.

Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry until the chicken changes color.

Add the pre-chopped vegetables and stir-fry. Add seasonings like soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, etc.

If you like spicy food, you can add some chili sauce.

Stir-Frying the Noodles

Add the boiled noodles to the pan and stir-fry them with the chicken and vegetables.

During the stir-frying process, adjust the seasoning with salt, chicken bouillon, and ground pepper as per your taste.

Serving

Once the noodles are well-mixed and absorb all the flavors, transfer the dish to a plate.

You can garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro to add extra aroma.

Chicken Chow Mein Recipe Without Oyster Sauce

Ingredients

Noodles: Choose thin noodles or fresh noodles.

Chicken: Chicken breast, sliced or cut into strips.

Vegetables: Shredded carrots, sliced onions, and bell peppers. You can also add bean sprouts for added crunch.

Seasonings: Soy sauce, dark soy sauce (for color), salt, black pepper, sugar, and sesame oil.

Instructions

Cook the noodles: Boil the noodles until they are 80% cooked. Drain them, rinse with cold water, and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.

Stir-fry the chicken: Heat oil in a pan, add the marinated chicken, and cook until golden brown on both sides. Set aside.

Stir-fry the vegetables: In the same pan, add the onions, carrots, and bell peppers, stir-fry until tender.

Season: Add the cooked noodles, then add soy sauce, dark soy sauce (for color), salt, and sugar. Stir-fry everything together quickly.

Serve: Finally, add the cooked chicken back into the pan, sprinkle with green onions and sesame oil, and stir-fry until everything is evenly mixed. Serve hot.

Tips

Do not overcook the noodles; they should be about 80% cooked for better texture.

Stir-fry quickly to avoid making the vegetables too soft and to retain their crunch.

Use less oil and salt, and season with soy sauce for a healthier and tastier version.

How Many Calories in Chicken Chow Mein?

A standard serving of chicken chow mein (about 220 grams) contains approximately 275-300 calories. Here’s a breakdown:

Calories: ~275

Protein: ~18.85 grams

Fat: ~13.55 grams

Carbohydrates: ~19.95 grams

Dietary Fiber: ~2.2 grams

The calorie content of chicken chow mein can vary depending on ingredient quantities, cooking methods, and added seasonings, so actual values may differ.