Name: Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 16 oz fresh Chinese egg noodles (or dried lo mein noodles, spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine); 1 lb chicken breast or thigh, cut to bite-size pieces; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 2 ½ cups stir fry vegetables, sliced ¼ inch thick (carrots, red bell pepper, onions, shiitake mushrooms, snow peas recommended); 1 stalk scallion, chopped; 2 teaspoons toasted white sesame seeds for garnish; ½ cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock or water); 2 tablespoons oyster sauce; 1 ½ tablespoons dark soy sauce; 1 ½ tablespoons low sodium soy sauce; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon grated ginger; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (use sparingly, it's salty); 1 teaspoon Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp (use sparingly, it's salty); 1 teaspoon Thai chili pepper flakes

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a plate full of glossy noodles, tender chicken, and crisp veggies all tossed in a savory sauce. This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is exactly that—a simple, delicious way to bring a bit of takeout magic into your own kitchen without any fuss.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with stir-fried noodles that are golden brown and shiny. The noodles are mixed with green snap peas, red bell pepper slices, thin orange carrot strips, and pieces of light brown cooked chicken. There are also some green onion stalks visible in the bowl. White sesame seeds are sprinkled on top of the noodles. Woman's hand holding black and copper tongs lifts a serving of noodles with vegetables from the bowl. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe more times than I can count because it’s reliable, quick, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of dish where every bite feels comforting yet exciting and you can tweak it easily depending on what you have in your fridge.

Speedy Prep: You’ll have a wholesome meal ready in about 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredient Flexibility: Swap veggies or noodles effortlessly — it adapts perfectly to what you’ve got on hand.
Flavor Packed Sauce: The sauce is where the magic happens — balanced, glossy, and just enough sweet heat if you like.
Family Friendly: It’s a crowd-pleaser with familiar flavors that please kids and adults alike.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe shines because each ingredient plays a role — textures from the noodles and veggies, juicy chicken, and that well-balanced sauce that ties it all together. Let’s break down what you’ll need.

Flat lay of fresh uncooked lo mein egg noodles arranged in loose nests, bite-sized raw chicken breast pieces, a handful of sliced stir fry vegetables including bright orange carrot slices, red bell pepper strips, white onion slices, dark brown shiitake mushrooms, and vibrant green snow peas, one whole uncracked brown scallion stalk, a small white ceramic bowl of golden vegetable oil, a small white bowl with toasted white sesame seeds, another small white bowl containing finely grated fresh ginger, a small white bowl holding peeled garlic cloves whole and minced garlic, and a medium white ceramic bowl with mixed dark soy sauce, low sodium soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken stock, brown sugar, cornstarch, and toasted sesame oil mixed into a glossy dark sauce, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Fresh Chinese egg noodles: They have a beautiful chew and absorb the sauce perfectly, but dried lo mein or even linguine works fine in a pinch.
Chicken breast or thigh: I prefer thighs for juiciness, but breasts keep it lean. Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Vegetable oil: Neutral and great for high-heat stir-frying without overpowering the flavor.
Stir fry vegetables: Think carrots, bell peppers, onions, shiitake mushrooms, and snow peas — these add crunch, color, and freshness.
Scallions: The bright green tops add a mild bite and lovely garnish.
Toasted white sesame seeds: A final sprinkle brings nuttiness and texture contrast.
Chicken stock: Adds depth and umami to the sauce.
Oyster sauce: The backbone of that savory Asian flavor; it’s sweet, salty, and rich.
Dark soy sauce: For color and a deeper soy flavor.
Low sodium soy sauce: Keeps the sauce balanced without overwhelming saltiness.
Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce for that glossy finish everyone loves.
Toasted sesame oil: Adds warmth and that unmistakable, toasty aroma.
Brown sugar: Just a hint to balance salty and savory with mild sweetness.
Fresh ginger and garlic: These boost flavor with zest and aroma — don’t skip them.
Optional chili additions: Add chili garlic sauce, Thai chili flakes, or spicy chili crisp for a gentle kick.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe depending on my mood and what’s in season. It’s super forgiving, so don’t hesitate to get creative — you can make it as classic or as adventurous as you want.

Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken for tofu or extra mushrooms; just adjust the cooking time accordingly. I made this once with crispy tofu cubes, and it was a hit!
Extra Spicy: I sometimes double the chili garlic sauce for a nice heat boost, but be careful as the sauce can be salty.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos and gluten-free noodles; it’s just as tasty.
Seasonal Veggies: Feel free to toss in snap peas in spring or broccoli florets in winter — whatever you love or find fresh.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

The image shows a large white plate full of stir-fried noodles mixed with colorful vegetables and pieces of cooked chicken. The bottom layer consists of thick, golden-brown noodles twisted around each other. Scattered on top are bright green snap peas, thin red and orange carrot strips, and green onion pieces, plus small chunks of cooked chicken with a light brown color. The dish is sprinkled with white sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Around the plate, there are fresh mushrooms, garlic bulbs, garlic cloves, and green onions on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk Together Your Flavorful Sauce

Start by mixing the sauce ingredients—chicken stock, oyster sauce, dark and light soy sauces, cornstarch, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic—until the sugar dissolves completely. This combo brings the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors that coat every noodle beautifully.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken and Prep Veggies

Toss your bite-sized chicken pieces in about a tablespoon of the sauce. This little marinade step ensures every nugget is juicy and flavorful. Meanwhile, slice your vegetables to about a quarter-inch thickness so they cook quickly but still retain a nice crunch.

Step 3: Cook Noodles Just Right

Boil the noodles until they are just shy of al dente—usually a minute or two less than the package says. Rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking and drain well. Adding a tiny drizzle of oil after rinsing prevents clumps. If you’re using pre-cooked fresh egg noodles like I sometimes do, just rinse with hot water to separate them.

Step 4: Stir Fry Chicken and Veggies

Heat a wok or large pan on medium-high and add vegetable oil. Cook the marinated chicken until it’s no longer pink and has a golden edge—about 4-5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Toss in your vegetables and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until tender yet crisp — you want that vibrant color and bite.

Step 5: Bring It All Together with Noodles and Sauce

Add the drained noodles and the remaining sauce to the pan. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the noodles. Then return the chicken to the pan and mix through. Finally, garnish with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds — those little pops of flavor are what make it special!

Top Tip

From my many kitchen experiments, these tips have really helped me nail the perfect Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe every single time — and I want you to feel that same success.

Marinate Early: Marinate the chicken while prepping veggies — it infuses great flavor and tenderizes the meat effortlessly.
Don’t Overcook Noodles: I learned the hard way that noodles get mushy fast, so pulling them off just before al dente is key for texture that holds up to stir-frying.
High-Heat Stir Fry: Make sure your wok or pan is hot enough before adding ingredients — this locks in flavors and gives veggies that perfect crisp.
Control the Chili: Start with a small amount of chili sauce or flakes, especially if you’re serving kids or sensitive palates — you can always add more at the table.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my lo mein with fresh scallions because they add a little crunch and brightness that balances the savory sauce. Toasted white sesame seeds give it a lovely nutty finish and extra texture — trust me, it’s not just decoration, they add real flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair this dish with simple sides like steamed broccoli, quick pickled cucumbers, or some easy potstickers. A light Asian cucumber salad with a splash of rice vinegar is a refreshing contrast, especially if you’ve turned up the heat in your lo mein.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this dish family-style in a large beautiful bowl with extra scallions and sesame seeds scattered on top, alongside small bowls of chili paste and soy sauce so guests can customize their bowls. It’s fun, interactive, and looks fantastic on the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken lo mein in an airtight container in the fridge, and it generally stays tasty up to 3 days. The noodles can soak up sauce as it sits, so I add a splash of water or broth when reheating to keep everything saucy and fresh.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen this dish before by letting it cool completely, then portioning it out in freezer-safe containers. It keeps well for about a month. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in a pan to keep the texture intact.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a bit of water or chicken stock to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until warmed through to avoid drying out the chicken or noodles. Microwave reheating works in a pinch but stirring halfway through helps prevent clumping.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of noodles in this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe?

Absolutely! While fresh Chinese egg noodles are traditional and give the best texture, you can substitute dried lo mein noodles, spaghetti, linguine, or even fettuccine if that's what you have. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

How do I keep the noodles from sticking together?

Rinsing the noodles under cold water right after boiling stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch that causes sticking. Adding a small drizzle of oil after draining helps them stay separate when stir-frying.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes! Simply swap the chicken for tofu, tempeh, or extra mushrooms. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and substitute oyster sauce with a vegetarian version or mushroom sauce. The flavors will still be deliciously satisfying.

What’s the best way to add spice without making it too salty?

Start with a small amount of chili garlic sauce, spicy chili crisp, or Thai chili flakes since these can be salty. You can always add more after tasting. Alternatively, serve chili condiments on the side for each person to customize the heat level.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe has been one of my go-to meals when I want something fast, comforting, and reliable. It’s the kind of recipe you can trust to deliver big flavors without a lot of hassle, and it’s endlessly adaptable to your tastes and pantry. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s a humble dish that always brings a little joy to the table.