Better Than Take-Out Lo Mein with Chicken

Name: Chicken Lo Mein
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons brown sugar; ½ cup low sodium soy sauce ((or coconut aminos)); ¼ cup hoisin sauce; 4 teaspoons sesame oil; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon pepper; 8 ounces lo mein noodles; 4 cups broccoli florets; 8 ounces chicken (sliced on a bias); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 2 cups shredded carrots

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If you like lo mein then you are going to love this Better Than Take-Out Lo Mein recipe because you can make it at home ANY TIME YOU WANT and it’s ready in less than half an hour. It’s delicious and you can customize it to suit your taste.

Lo mein with chicken in a black skillet.

This recipe is adapted from the 20 Minute Garlic Beef and Lo Mein recipe by The Recipe Critic. Alyssa’s recipe is totally delicious, but I wanted to make a few adaptations. (I encourage you to check out her recipe and to try it, too!)

What I love about this recipe is that you can use different types of noodles: spaghetti, gluten-free, lo mein, soba – whatever you like. You could even use zucchini noodles to keep the calories down and increase the veggies.

When I make this, I like to prepare the sauce first because I tend to get distracted. Once I have that out of the way, I get started on the rest.

Let’s look at how easy it is to make this tasty lo mein dish at home.

Chicken lo mein with broccoli in a non-stick skillet.

Ingredients

The first thing you need to do is decide what protein you’d like to use: chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. For my family, chicken is an easy choice. Below are the ingredients that you need:

Sauce Ingredients

3 tablespoons brown sugar
½ cup low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
¼ cup hoisin sauce
4 teaspoons sesame oil
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon pepper

Noodles, Protein, and Veggies

8 ounces lo mein noodles
4 cups broccoli florets
8 ounces chicken (or other protein of choice)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups shredded carrots

How To Make Lo Mein

Prepare the delicious sauce that will enrobe the noodles, meat, and veggies. This is done by whisking all of the ingredients together. If you like your lo mein a little less sweet, only use 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.

Once the sauce has been made, it’s time to multitask!

Heat a pot of water and cook the noodles according to the directions on the package. For best results, cook the noodles until they reach the al dente stage. Add broccoli to the boiling noodles during the last 2-3 minutes of cook time. Drain the noodles and broccoli and set them aside.

In the meantime, start preparing your protein. You can use either a large wok or a large skillet.

For beef or chicken, cut thin slices on the bias. Be sure to cook the chicken until it is no longer pink. It’s okay to leave a little bit of pink in the beef.
For shrimp, remove the tails and shells. Shrimp cook in only a couple of minutes. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until it turns pink.
For tofu, use a firm variety and make sure it is well-drained. (If using tofu, check out this post on Vegetable Lo Mein by Simple Veganista.)

Once the protein is cooked, add garlic followed by shredded carrots. Add the sauce and toss well.

Next, add the noodles and broccoli to the skillet. Toss well with the chicken, veggies, and sauce.

FAQ

How do you thicken lo mein sauce?

If you like a thicker sauce, you can add a few tablespoons of cornstarch to thicken it up. I recommend that you use organic cornstarch (I buy it at Whole Foods).

What I do is move the food away from one corner of the skillet and allow the sauce to pool there. I whisk in a little bit of cornstarch and when there are no clumps, stir it back into the rest of the dish.

Can I make lo mein with gluten-free noodles?

Yes, you can make gluten-free lo mein by using gluten-free noodles like rice noodles or gluten-free wheat noodles. Ensure you follow the cooking instructions on the package, as gluten-free noodles may require different cooking times.

What are some vegetable options for lo mein?

Lo mein is incredibly versatile, and you can use a variety of vegetables to suit your taste. Common choices include broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, bok choy, and shitake mushrooms. You can also add bean sprouts, snow peas, red bell pepper, or water chestnuts for extra crunch and flavor.

What can I use to garnish lo mein?

Garnishing your lo mein can enhance its visual appeal and add a burst of fresh flavors and textures. Here are some common garnishes and toppings you can use to make your lo mein even more delicious: green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, crushed peanuts or cashews, lime or lemon wedges, red pepper flakes, fresh bean sprouts, and fresh herbs like Thai basil.

Like Asian food? I do, too. You should check out my Spicy Basil Chicken recipe. Hungry for spaghetti instead? Our Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe couldn’t be easier to make.

While the lo mein is cooking, bake some egg rolls to go along with the main course. Finish it off with some cute store-bought fortune cookies for a meal the whole family will love.