My smoky, umami hen chow mein is the principle occasion at my place once I crave Cantonese takeout however really feel like having some enjoyable within the kitchen. I preserve the veggies crisp but pliant, the noodles on the springy facet – and I lock moisture into the juicy hen with a 4-ingredient marinade.
About This Recipe
If hen chow mein was an individual, we’d be fairly good associates. We’ve recognized one another for over 40 years now. I admire the smoky wok hei and the savory, chewiness of the egg noodles blended with marinated hen and colourful veggies. When it’s been some time, I think about selecting up the telephone to reconnect.
Chow mein hits that good spot in my palate that craves pleasure, however acquainted flavors. Though I do know what it’ll style like, I’m at all times excited to dig in.
In truth, there was a little bit of a Chinese language noodle renaissance at my home recently. I’ve been leaning on the shrimp lo mein, the spicy pan fried noodles and the crispy Cantonese chow mein slightly arduous recently. Hen chow mein is the gateway recipe for my affinity for noodles.
Elements Wanted
Scroll to the underside of this web page for the complete recipe steps and measurements.
- Hen: I take advantage of boneless, skinless hen breast, as a result of it’s moist and tender and straightforward to search out. Darkish meat from boneless hen thighs additionally works, particularly should you like a gamey style.
- Oil: Use a impartial oil with a excessive smoke level resembling vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil.
- Chow Mein Noodles: Chow mein noodles are egg noodles which might be offered recent or dried. They arrive offered in nests and could be discovered at your native Asian grocery store within the frozen part or dried noodles part. I at all times use dried noodles as a result of I preserve just a few packages in my pantry always to make use of in final minute stir fries.
- Sliced Greens: Shiitake mushrooms, bell peppers and snow peas are all fashionable elements to make use of in Chinese language stir fries, however be happy to make use of any vegetable mixture you want.
Hen Marinade
4 elements: soy sauce, shaoxing wine, cornstarch and toasted sesame oil.
Why it really works: The cornstarch locks moisture into the hen whereas tenderizing the meat on the similar time. And it helps the marinade penetrate with most taste in a short while.
Chow Mein Sauce
5 elements: oyster sauce, soy sauce, shaoxing, hen broth, sesame oil.
Why it really works: The sharpness from the shaoxing wine cuts by means of the salty, briny, candy flavors from the oyster sauce. And the sesame oil provides nutty, toasty undertones.
How To Make Chow Mein
- Marinate the hen. Combine the marinade and add the sliced hen. Ensure all of the items are coated evenly. Marinate within the fridge for no less than half-hour.
- Combine the chow mein sauce in a bowl and put aside.
- Boil the noodles in response to the bundle directions. Drain and put aside.
- Cook dinner the hen in a pan over excessive warmth. When cooked by means of, switch to a plate.
- Cook dinner the greens in the identical pan till tender/crisp.
- Put all of it collectively. As soon as the veggies are cooked, re-add the hen, chow mein noodles and sauce. Toss till evenly blended. Serve instantly.
Caroline’s Cooking Ideas
Cook dinner the hen first, however don’t wash the pan. The marinated hen leaves a ton of taste within the wok. I take it out as quickly because it’s cooked so it stays juicy. However I get some actual taste mileage from the drippings once I use it to prepare dinner the greens in a second wave. As quickly because the cooked hen is on a plate, I put the pan again on the stovetop and begin on the veggies.
Stir fry utilizing excessive warmth. A screaming scorching pan permits me to prepare dinner issues in a short time whereas utilizing little or no oil. Veggies retain their tender crunch, noodles preserve their spring loaded chunk – and the hen doesn’t have sufficient time to dry out. Consider it or not, relying on the recipe, low warmth could be the offender for overcooked meals. Since low warmth takes so lengthy to prepare dinner issues, colourful elements can find yourself primarily steaming their vibrance away. Low warmth is ideal for issues like pinto bean stew. Excessive warmth is right for stir fries. In truth, for this recipe I don’t even add oil to the pan till it’s scorching.
Recipe Variations
Strive a special protein. Beef, squid or roast pork are all contenders. And no takeout menu is full with out shrimp chow mein.
Make it vegetarian. Simply sub the hen out for sliced tofu or, higher but, crispy tofu. Rehydrated soy curls would work too. Use veggie broth as a substitute of hen inventory. And pull the oyster sauce in favor of mushroom based mostly oyster sauce.
Use totally different greens. No matter is helpful within the crisper. Sliced carrots, inexperienced pepper, broccoli, and so on. Or seize a can of bamboo shoots and water chestnuts and use these.
Storage and Reheating
Fridge: Retailer leftovers within the fridge (coated) for as much as 3 days. Chinese language noodles preserve slightly properly within the fridge – and leftovers are scrumptious scorching or chilly.
Freezer: Enable the chow mein to chill to room temperature, then place in freezer luggage or single serving meals storage containers for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge, or gently within the microwave. Then microwave till piping scorching earlier than serving.
Reheating: Reheat within the microwave or in a scorching pan with a bit of oil on the stovetop. Revitalize the flavors with a splash of soy sauce.
What I Serve With Hen Chow Mein
Hen chow mein is a filling dish that I wish to function a essential. It pairs properly with different Chinese language essential dishes or sides resembling:
Different fashionable noodle dishes you may wish to strive: Miso ramen, spicy vegan sichuan noodles, fried noodles with soy sauce, Korean japchae noodles, yaki udon, straightforward yakisoba, stir fried glass noodles with shrimp.
Steadily Requested Questions
Nope. Not except you’re employed at a restaurant with an industrial 100,000 BTU gasoline burner. These guys positively get some actual advantages out of the rounded backside and sloped edges of a wok. For the remainder of us, any deep frying pan or skillet works.
This recipe has 2 failsafes in opposition to dry, rubbery hen. First, the cornstarch within the marinade ought to lock in moisture and taste whereas tenderizing the hen. Second, for this recipe I at all times prepare dinner the hen first and take away it from the pan as quickly because it’s cooked by means of. I reincorporate it with the noodles, veggies and sauce on the very finish – simply earlier than serving.
An excellent substitute for shaoxing wine is dry sherry.
Did you want this recipe? Are there modifications you made that you simply wish to share? Share your ideas and suggestions within the feedback part under!
Description
The key to juicy flavorful hen is an easy marinade that locks in taste and moisture. Make this restaurant high quality hen chow mein in simply half-hour from begin to end.
Hen marinade
Chow mein sauce
- Marinate the hen: Whisk the elements for the hen marinade in a bowl and add the hen strips. Therapeutic massage with the marinade to coat the items evenly and put aside. Marinate for half-hour (or as much as 3 hours for extra taste).
- Make the chow mein sauce: Whisk the elements for the chow mein sauce in a bowl and put aside.
- Boil the noodles: Fill a medium or massive pot with water and convey it to a boil. Add the chow mein noodles and prepare dinner in response to the instructions on the bundle (about 3 minutes). Drain the noodles and set them apart.
- Cook dinner the hen: Use a wok or deep nonstick skillet over excessive warmth. When the wok is scorching, add 1 tablespoon of impartial oil. Swirl the oil to coat the floor of the wok and add the hen. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes, till the hen is cooked by means of. Flip the warmth off and switch the hen to a plate.
- Cook dinner the greens: Use the identical wok over excessive warmth and add 1 tablespoon of impartial oil. Add the snap peas, bell pepper, inexperienced onion, and mushrooms, and stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes, till the greens are cooked however nonetheless yielding a slight crunch.
- Put all of it collectively: Return the hen to the wok and add the noodles. Add the sauce and toss once more to coat the hen, noodles, and greens evenly.
- Serve: Flip the warmth off and switch the chow mein to a plate. Serve instantly.
Notes
Retailer leftovers coated within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
Diet
- Serving Measurement: 1 serving
- Energy: 704
- Sugar: 9.8g
- Sodium: 1692mg
- Fats: 34.1g
- Saturated Fats: 14.2g
- Unsaturated Fats: 0.5g
- Trans Fats: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 63.6g
- Fiber: 6.6g
- Protein: 35.4g
- Ldl cholesterol: 83.2mg
