If you are looking for a vibrant, comforting, and speedy meal, then this Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe is exactly what you need in your weeknight dinner lineup. Bursting with colorful veggies, tender chicken, and perfectly sauced noodles, this dish combines simple ingredients to create a truly satisfying feast. The wonderful balance of savory soy sauce, the slight sweetness of Mirin, and the delightful crunch of fresh vegetables make every forkful a joyous experience. Whether you need a last-minute dinner idea or want to impress friends with a homemade Asian-inspired meal, this Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe is how straightforward yet essential the ingredient list is. Each item plays a specific role—from the aromatic garlic and crisp vegetables to the rich soy sauces and perfectly cooked noodles, everything comes together to build a dish filled with flavor and texture.
- Vegetable or peanut oil: For a high smoke point and neutral flavor to quickly stir-fry ingredients.
- Garlic cloves, finely minced: Adds a punch of fragrant aroma and depth.
- Onion, finely sliced: Provides subtle sweetness and texture contrasts.
- Chicken, thinly sliced: The protein star of the dish, tender and quick-cooking.
- Carrots, cut into batons: Offers a fresh crunch and bright color.
- Red capsicum/bell pepper, sliced: Adds sweetness and vibrant red tones for visual appeal.
- Green onions, cut into lengths: Infuses a mild oniony flavor and freshness.
- Lo Mein or medium thickness egg noodles: The perfect vehicle to soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Water: To loosen the sauce and help it coat the noodles evenly.
- Cornflour/cornstarch: For thickening the sauce and giving it that beautiful glossy finish.
- Dark soy sauce: Introduces deep, umami-rich color and flavor.
- Light soy sauce: Brings saltiness without overpowering other ingredients.
- Chinese cooking wine or Mirin: Adds a subtle sweetness and complexity (alternative options available).
- White sugar: Balances the salty and tangy elements of the sauce (skip if using Mirin).
- Toasted sesame oil (optional): For a nutty aroma that elevates the flavor profile.
- White pepper: Gently warms and seasons the dish.
- Green onion, finely sliced: Ideal for garnishing with a fresh, crisp bite.
How to Make Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by mixing cornflour and dark soy sauce until you get a smooth, lump-free texture. Then add the rest of the sauce ingredients, including light soy, cooking wine or Mirin, sugar (if using), sesame oil, and white pepper. This sauce is the heart of your dish—it’s savory, slightly sweet, and coats every noodle and veggie with deliciousness.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Take 2 teaspoons of your prepared sauce and whip it together with the thinly sliced chicken. This quick marinade ensures that the chicken absorbs all those wonderful flavors right from the start, making each bite tender and tasty.
Step 3: Heat the Pan
Heat your wok or large heavy-based skillet over high heat until it’s just about smoking. This high heat is essential to get a quick sear on the chicken and veggies, locking in their natural flavors and keeping everything crisp and fresh.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics
Add the oil to the hot pan, then toss in the sliced onion and minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until the onions soften and the garlic smells irresistible. This step layers your dish with aromatic complexity that makes the final meal so mouthwatering.
Step 5: Cook the Chicken
Add the chicken to the pan. Stir often for about one minute, just until the outside turns white but the inside remains slightly raw. This quick cooking ensures the chicken stays juicy before it cooks fully with the vegetables.
Step 6: Add the Vegetables
Introduce the carrot batons and red capsicum slices. Cook everything together for about two minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables retain a slight crunch, making every bite vibrant and fresh.
Step 7: Toss in the Noodles and Sauce
Add your cooked noodles, the prepared sauce, and water to the pan. Use two wooden spoons or spatulas and toss everything vigorously for 30 seconds. The noodles soak up the luscious sauce that’s thickened to perfection, uniting all flavors beautifully.
Step 8: Add Green Onions
Scatter in the chopped green onions and toss for another minute. This final step brightens the dish with fresh bursts of flavor and gives the noodles a silky, shiny coating that’s simply irresistible.
Step 9: Serve Immediately
Dish up the lo mein hot from the pan, garnished with extra finely sliced green onions if you like. The mix of colors, textures, and aromas will instantly make your home feel cozy and inviting.
How to Serve Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra green onions or toasted sesame seeds over the top for freshness and crunch. A drizzle of chili oil or a squeeze of lime can add an exciting kick and zest that wake up the meal even more.
Side Dishes
This dish shines as a standalone meal, but if you want to round it out, serve it alongside crispy spring rolls or a simple cucumber salad. Steamed dumplings or a light broth-based soup also complement the flavors wonderfully and make your meal feel more special.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, plate your Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe in individual bowls with edible flowers or microgreens on top. You could also serve it on a bed of steamed greens for a beautiful contrast or offer small dipping sauces so everyone can customize their bites while enjoying family-style dining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover lo mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It retains its flavors well, making it the perfect quick lunch or dinner option for busy days following your first batch.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but noodles sometimes change texture after freezing and reheating. If necessary, freeze in a tightly sealed container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently to preserve the taste and texture as much as possible.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a wok or skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the sauce and prevent drying. Stir-frying quickly ensures that your noodles regain their glossy finish and your veggies stay crisp-tender.
FAQs
Can I use other proteins instead of chicken?
Absolutely! This Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe is perfect for swapping in beef, shrimp, tofu, or pork. Just adjust the cooking time to suit the protein you choose so everything cooks perfectly.
What if I can only find dried noodles?
Not a problem. Use dried lo mein or egg noodles but be sure to cook them according to packet instructions and drain well before adding to the stir-fry. Fresh noodles tend to be softer and silkier but dried work just fine in a pinch.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Omit the chicken and replace it with extra vegetables or firm tofu. Use vegetable broth or water instead of cooking wine and make sure your soy sauce is vegetarian-friendly. The dish still tastes fantastic and is packed with nutrients.
Can I prepare any steps in advance?
Definitely. You can slice your vegetables and chicken beforehand, and even mix the sauce in advance. Storing them separately in the fridge saves time during cooking and keeps ingredients fresh.
How spicy is this dish?
By default, this recipe is mild and very family-friendly. If you love heat, add chili flakes, fresh chili slices, or chili oil during cooking or as a garnish to spice things up effortlessly.
Final Thoughts
Cooking a delicious, restaurant-style meal at home doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. This Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe proves that with simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a vibrant, tasty dish everyone will love. So gather your veggies, heat up that wok, and enjoy the joyous flavors of homemade lo mein anytime you want a quick, satisfying meal.
Print
Quick Chicken Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This classic Lo Mein Noodles recipe features tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a savory soy-based sauce tossed with egg noodles. Quick and easy to prepare, it delivers a deliciously balanced stir-fry perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 4 tsp cornflour / cornstarch
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine or Mirin
- 1 tsp white sugar (omit if using Mirin)
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional)
- 1/4 tsp white pepper (substitute black pepper)
Stir-fry
- 1.5 tbsp vegetable or peanut oil
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 onion, finely sliced
- 300g / 10oz chicken or other protein, sliced 0.5cm (1/5″) thick
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 4 x 0.75cm (1.75 x 1/3″) batons
- 1 large red capsicum / bell pepper, sliced (or 2 small)
- 6 green onions, cut into 5 cm (2”) lengths plus extra for garnish
- 500g / 1lb fresh Lo Mein, Hokkien, or other medium thickness egg noodles, prepared per packet instructions (for dried noodles see note)
- 1/4 cup (65ml) water
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the cornflour and dark soy sauce until lump-free. Then add the remaining sauce ingredients including light soy sauce, cooking wine or Mirin, sugar (if using), toasted sesame oil, and white pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Season the Chicken: Transfer 2 teaspoons of the prepared sauce into a separate bowl with the sliced chicken. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly. Set aside to marinate briefly.
- Heat the Oil: Heat the vegetable or peanut oil in a wok or large heavy-based skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke, ensuring a hot cooking surface for stir-frying.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely sliced onion and minced garlic to the hot oil. Stir-fry rapidly for about 30 seconds to release their fragrances without burning.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken slices to the wok. Stir-fry for about 1 minute, cooking until the chicken is white on the outside but still slightly raw inside, which helps maintain juiciness.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in the carrot batons and sliced capsicum or bell peppers. Continue stir-frying for 2 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add Noodles and Sauce: Add the prepared noodles, the remaining sauce, and the 1/4 cup of water to the wok. Using two wooden spoons, gently toss the mixture for 30 seconds to evenly coat the noodles and integrate the flavors.
- Finish with Green Onions: Add the cut green onions and toss everything together for an additional minute until the noodles are glossy with sauce and heated through.
- Serve: Immediately plate the Lo Mein noodles and garnish with extra finely sliced green onions if desired. Serve hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Note 1: Finely minced garlic imparts a pungent aroma essential for balance in the stir-fry.
- Note 2: Chicken can be substituted with beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu for different protein options.
- Note 3: For dried noodles, cook according to package instructions before stir-frying.
- Note 4: Dark soy sauce adds color and rich umami; light soy sauce provides saltiness and brightness.
- Note 5: Chinese cooking wine adds complexity; Mirin can be used as a milder, sweeter substitute.
- Note 6: Toasted sesame oil is optional but recommended for a nutty finishing aroma.
