If you’re anything like me, sometimes only that savory, comforting taste of delivery lo mein will scratch the itch. But honestly, waiting for takeout on a busy weeknight drives me nuts! That’s why I developed this **Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe**—it hits every single nostalgic note you want but comes together faster than the delivery driver could even find your house. It’s the perfect trifecta: fast, balanced with lean protein and veggies, and honestly, so much simpler than you think.
This dish is a staple here at Sena Recipes because it embodies what I love about healthy cooking: practical flavor. For me, this is the ultimate go-to for busy evenings when dinner needs to be on the table fast without feeling heavy or complicated. It’s super forgiving, too, so don’t stress if you don’t have every single ingredient named in the recipe. Trust me, you’re going to adore how satisfying this stir-fry is!
Olivia Bennett is a Healthy Living Recipe Developer at Sena Recipes. She creates colorful, nourishing recipes that make balanced eating simple, satisfying, and approachable. If you want to check out my main guide on this dish, you can find all the flavor deep dives here: Flavorful Chicken Lo Mein Guide.
Why This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe Works for Busy Nights
I get why people turn to takeout when life gets hectic. Who has time for complicated recipes after a crazy day? That’s why I built this Chicken Lo Mein to be the ultimate low-effort, high-reward meal. It cuts down on the usual fuss but still feels like you made a real effort. If you’re looking for **Quick Dinner Ideas**, this one absolutely delivers!
This recipe easily supports a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing that craveable comfort factor. Seriously, check out how this stacks up against those last-minute options:
Fast Prep and Cook Times
- The total time reads in at just 35 minutes—seriously, that’s faster than most delivery windows! This is easily one of the best **Easy Fast Dinner Recipes** out there when you need something satisfying without waiting around.
Balanced Ingredients for a Healthy Dinner Ideas
- We load this up with lean protein from the chicken and tons of colorful veggies like gorgeous cabbage and crunchy carrots. It’s a complete meal right in one bowl, making your search for **Healthy Dinner Ideas** a one-stop shop!
You can find other simple, budget-friendly meals over on my Quick and Budget-Friendly Dinners page when you need variety!
Essential Ingredients for Your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Okay, let’s talk about what you need to gather because having everything ready upfront is half the battle, especially when you’re cooking fast! Getting these measurements right ensures your lo mein has that perfect Asian-inspired flavor without tasting too salty or too bland. Precision here builds the trust needed for a great stir-fry, and you can find more great healthy chicken dinner ideas anytime you need them.
Noodles and Protein
- You need 8 ounces of your lo mein noodles—fresh is always my favorite if I can grab it, but the dried stuff works perfectly fine too!
- For the protein, grab 1 pound of boneless chicken, and make sure you slice it thin. Thin slices cook through quickly and evenly, which is crucial when you’re moving fast.
Vegetables for Color and Crunch
Don’t skimp on the rainbow here; the veggies make this a truly balanced meal!
- About half a head of green cabbage, shredded finely (that usually ends up being about 3 cups).
- You’ll need 1 large carrot that you’ll grate—freshly grated carrots just taste better, trust me on this!
- Grab 8 ounces of cremini mushrooms and quarter them up.
- Slice up half of a red pepper. Any color works, but red is so pretty!
The Flavorful Lo Mein Sauce Components
This sauce is what brings it all together. Notice we have two types of sesame oil here—one for cooking, one for flavor!
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for the initial chicken sear.
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil *for tossing the cooked noodles* to keep them separate.
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for the actual sauce mixture.
- 3 tablespoons of good quality soy sauce.
- 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce for that complex sweetness.
- 2 tablespoons of hot water to thin everything out nicely.
- A dash of Sriracha (1 to 2 teaspoons) goes right into the veggies for a little kick!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Alright, friend, this is where the magic really happens! We are going to move fast here—think of it like an assembly line in your kitchen. Since this is a stir-fry, the more prepped you are before the heat goes on, the better the final product will be. If you’re looking for other super simple meals that don’t require tons of standing time, definitely check out my guide on easy crockpot recipes, but for this Lo Mein, we are using the wok!
Prepping Vegetables and Making the Sauce
First things first: if you want those mushrooms and peppers extra crispy—which I highly recommend—get your oven preheated to 400°F right now. Toss those mushrooms and peppers with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and that Sriracha, spread them out on a baking sheet, and pop them in for about 15 minutes. While they roast, we make the *real* secret weapon: the sauce! Just whisk together your soy sauce, hoisin sauce, the 1 tablespoon of sesame oil meant for the sauce, and 2 tablespoons of hot water until it’s perfectly combined. Set that beautiful mixture aside!
Cooking Noodles and Chicken
Next, let’s tackle the noodles. Get a big pot of generously salted water boiling, drop in your 8 ounces of lo mein noodles, and cook them until they are just tender—usually only about 4 minutes, so watch them closely! Drain them immediately and toss them right away with that 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. This stops them from turning into one sticky giant clump, which is the absolute worst. Now, high heat time! Get your wok or largest skillet screaming hot over medium-high heat and add your vegetable oil. Once it shimmers, throw in your thinly sliced chicken. You need to cook this for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly, until it’s just about done.
Combining the Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Once the chicken is nearly cooked, bring in the fresh veggies we didn’t roast—that’s your shredded cabbage and grated carrot. Stir those together with the chicken for another 2 to 3 minutes until the cabbage starts to wilt down. Now, everything comes together! Add those noodles and the sauce you mixed earlier right into the skillet. Stir everything vigorously until those noodles are totally coated in that savory sauce. If it looks too dry when you start mixing, just add a splash more hot water until it relaxes. Finally, always taste! Adjust the seasoning now, adding more soy sauce if you need more depth, and that’s it! Serve it up hot, topped with fresh scallions and sesame seeds.
Tips for Success with Your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Look, the recipe steps are straightforward, but getting that restaurant-quality texture at home is all about technique. Since I want your dinner to be amazing, not mushy, let me share a couple of my hard-won secrets. These tips are what separate a good stir-fry from an *incredible* one, and they really build up the authoritativeness of this **Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe**!
Achieving Perfect Noodle Texture
This is vital! You must avoid overcooking the noodles when you boil them. I always pull them out when they are just barely tender—maybe a minute *before* the package says they are done. Why? Because they are going back into a very hot pan with hot sauce and hot chicken. If they are already completely soft in the boiling water, they will break down and become totally gummy by the time you serve them. A little bit of bite in the boiling water translates to perfect tenderness once they are coated in the sauce!
Stir-Fry Heat Management
If you’re using a wok or your biggest skillet, you absolutely need that heat cranked up to medium-high. Don’t be shy about it! When you add the vegetables and chicken, the temperature of the pan dips dramatically. If the heat is too low, the ingredients don’t sear; they steam in their own moisture. That’s how you get the dreaded soggy lo mein where everything tastes watery.
We want quick cooking with those little crispy edges! Keep everything moving constantly—that’s what the “stir” in stir-fry means. You’re trying to evaporate moisture instantly so the sauce clings beautifully. If you start adding ingredients and hear sizzling and spitting, you’re doing it right!
If you like playing around with different noodle preparations, you should really look at how I handled texture in my Parmesan Garlic Noodles; the same principles of timing apply!
Ingredient Substitutions for Your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
The beauty of this **Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe**—and honestly, the reason it’s so excellent for busy families—is how wonderfully flexible it is. I never want anyone to skip making dinner just because they are one ingredient short. This is my guide for adapting it based on what’s on hand or what fits your budget. Remember, making healthy food affordable is key to keeping it sustainable!
If this recipe is serving as one of your **Cheap Dinners For A Family** this week, feel free to swap proteins. Chicken is lean, but you can definitely adapt this!
- Protein Swaps: Shrimp cooks even faster than chicken, so watch it closely—it only needs a couple of minutes! If you want zero meat, cubed and pan-fried tofu is fantastic here; just make sure to press the water out of it first so it crisps up nicely.
- Vegetable Flexibility: If you don’t have cabbage or mushrooms, zero stress. Broccoli florets, thinly sliced zucchini, snow peas, or even some leftover roasted squash work beautifully. Whatever you use, just remember to cut it similar in size to the carrot so it stirs through well.
- Sauce Adjustments: Can’t find hoisin? You can use a little extra soy sauce combined with a tiny bit (maybe half a teaspoon) of sugar or maple syrup to mimic that richness. And if you’re out of Sriracha, any chili paste or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes works to give those veggies a little warmth.
For those of you who love exploring beef variations, I have a super flavorful version over here that uses flank steak instead: Beef Lo Mein Stir Fry. But for this chicken version, just use what you’ve got, and keep that heat high!
Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Honestly, one of the best things about this **Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe** is that it’s pretty much a complete meal all on its own. You’ve got your noodles for energy, the chicken for protein, and a great mix of veggies in there—it checks every box for a satisfying **Quick Dinner Idea**!
But hey, sometimes you want a little something extra on the side for texture or contrast, right? If you’re expanding this meal to feed a hungry crew or just want to lean into that full Chinese Cuisine Cooking experience at home, I have a few ideas that pair wonderfully without feeling heavy.
If you’re looking for something green and slightly sweet to balance the savory sauce, I always reach for roasted vegetables. You could roast up some asparagus or maybe even try my recipe for Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Pecans—just use less maple syrup so it doesn’t clash with the hoisin in the lo mein.
- For a lighter side, a simple cucumber salad dressed with a tiny bit of rice vinegar and sesame seeds offers a refreshing, cool contrast to the hot noodles.
- If you had time to roast the peppers and mushrooms for the lo mein, you can skip the sides entirely!
- If you have kids and they aren’t keen on the sauce, keeping a small serving of plain noodles alongside the main dish can sometimes win them over before they try the full flavor profile.
Remember, the goal here is ease! So keep those pairings simple, so you aren’t spending more time cooking sides than you did on the main dish. Enjoy!
Storage and Reheating for Leftover Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
This is definitely one of those **Easy Supper Recipes** that tastes just as good, if not better, the next day when you’re looking for easy lunch ideas! I always make sure I intentionally cook a big batch because I know leftovers are coming, and honestly, leftovers are the ultimate form of **Lazy Dinners** because zero cooking is required later!
Don’t worry about planning a whole new meal; this lo mein is designed to hold up beautifully in the fridge. Based on my experience, leftovers keep wonderfully for about three to four days. That’s a solid chunk of time for **Easy Lunch Ideas** right there!
- When storing, make sure you use an airtight container. I prefer glass containers because they reheat more evenly, but any tight-sealing container works fine.
- When you are ready to eat, reheating is super simple. Head straight for the microwave!
- To prevent the noodles from drying out completely while getting the chicken warmed up, sprinkle about a teaspoon of water over your portion before covering it loosely with a paper towel or a microwave-safe lid.
Microwaving it for about a minute and a half, stirring halfway through, usually brings everything back to that perfect hot temperature without making the chicken tough. Trust me, having these ready-to-go meals means you skip the temptation of ordering in, which definitely keeps things healthier for the week!
If you’re into planning your meals ahead of time so you can relax later, you might also want to check out some tips I shared for make-ahead meal prep—the same concepts of proper storage really apply!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
I know you might have a few last-minute questions, especially when you’re trying to get dinner on the table fast. That’s totally normal! I’ve grouped the most common things people ask me about this **Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe** right here. Hopefully, this helps you get cooking without any last-minute confusion, turning this into one of your favorite **Easy Supper Recipes**!
Can I make this Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe without a wok?
Absolutely, you can! Don’t let the mention of a wok scare you off if you don’t have one. A wok is great because its curved sides allow you to toss food without it spilling out, and it heats up incredibly quickly. However, a very large, heavy-bottomed skillet—like well-seasoned cast iron or stainless steel—works just as well for achieving that sear.
The main difference is technique: in a skillet, you won’t be able to toss everything quite as vigorously, so you need to lift and stir the ingredients a bit more manually to ensure everything gets adequate contact with the hot surface. Just keep that heat high, and you’ll be fine!
How can I make this a Kid Friendly Dinners option?
This is a big concern for families, and thankfully, it’s super adjustable. The primary flavor agents that might be too intense for little palates are the Sriracha and the soy sauce. If you are worried about spice, just leave the Sriracha completely out of the vegetable mixture—you can always serve it on the side for the adults!
For the sodium level, consider using low-sodium soy sauce to cut the saltiness down significantly, or even use half the amount called for in the first round. Kids usually love noodles, so giving them a portion with very light sauce coverage makes it a certified **Kid Friendly Dinners** winner!
Is this considered an Easy Healthy Dinner?
Yes, I absolutely classify this as an **Easy Healthy Dinner**! When I set out to create this recipe, balance was the key. You are getting a great serving of lean protein from the chicken, which keeps you full and satisfied. Plus, we pack in cabbage, carrots, and peppers for essential vitamins and satisfying crunch.
Because you control the sauce ingredients, you’re not drowning it in unnecessary sugars or fats you often find in restaurant versions. It’s one of my favorite ways to prove that comfort food can totally align with healthy eating goals. If you need more inspiration for quick, healthy meals, check out my page dedicated to easy lunch ideas while you’re here!
Nutritional Snapshot of This Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Okay, real talk: getting all those noodles and sauce coated chicken goodness into your belly sometimes makes you wonder if you accidentally ordered takeout from the high-calorie menu, right? I always want you to feel good about what you’re making, even when it’s a comforting dish like this Lo Mein. So, while I’m all about intuition in the kitchen, I’ve run the numbers here so you know exactly what you’re getting!
Please remember these figures are my best estimates based on using the standard ingredients listed above, especially depending on how much sauce you choose to load on. You can certainly adjust these numbers down by using low-sodium soy sauce or skipping the optional roasted veggies. These numbers reflect a balanced, family-sized portion that still leans toward being a great choice for those focused on healthy recipes for weight loss.
- Serving Size: 1 full serving
- Calories: About 450—a really satisfying number for a main meal!
- Protein: A hefty 35 grams! That chicken really delivers.
- Fat: Around 15 grams total fat, with only 3 grams being saturated.
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 45 grams, mostly coming from the noodles.
- Sodium: This will be the highest number, around 750mg (this is where low-sodium soy sauce really helps if you’re watching salt intake!).
- Fiber: We get a nice 4 grams in there from all those veggies we packed in!
See? It’s a solid, flavorful meal that balances out beautifully for a weeknight dinner. It’s proof that you don’t need to sacrifice nutrition when seeking those fast, flavorful fixes!
Share Your Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe Experience
Okay, now that you’ve whipped up this **Easy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe**, I absolutely need to hear about it! When I create dishes here at Sena Recipes, my biggest joy is seeing them come to life in *your* kitchens. This is one I’m genuinely proud of because it saves so much time on hectic evenings, and I want to know if it saved yours too!
Did you stick to the veggies I listed, or did you manage to sneak in something different? Did the kids devour it, or did you have to hide the Sriracha only for grown-up servings? Don’t be shy; tell me everything!
Please take a moment to leave a star rating right below the recipe card. A quick click helps other busy cooks know this is a reliable, fast meal worth trying. It’s my favorite way to see how the recipe is performing in the real world!
Show Off Your Stir-Fry!
If you snap a picture of that steaming bowl of homemade lo mein, please tag me on social media! Seeing your beautiful plating and colorful vegetables is the best motivation for me to keep developing these accessible, healthy meals. You can find me over on my author page here: Meet Olivia Bennett, and I promise to share my favorites to my stories!
I read every single comment you leave below, so whether you have a variation, a substitution suggestion, or just want to say “That saved my Tuesday night!”, please drop a comment. Happy cooking, everyone!
Print
Easy Chicken Lo Mein
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Make this simple Chicken Lo Mein at home for a fast, satisfying meal that balances comfort and nutrition.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces lo mein noodles, fresh or dried
- 1 pound boneless chicken , sliced thin
- 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups)
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 1/2 pepper red pepper, sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for sauce)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- Fresh scallions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha hot sauce (for veggies)
Instructions
- If roasting vegetables: Heat the oven to 400°F. Toss mushrooms and red peppers with 1 tablespoon sesame oil and sriracha. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- Make the sauce: Stir soy sauce, hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and hot water together. Set aside.
- Cook the noodles: Boil a large amount of salted water. Add noodles and cook until tender, following package directions (usually about 4 minutes). Drain the noodles and toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil to keep them from sticking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil. Once hot, add the sliced chicken. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is almost cooked through.
- Add the vegetables: Add cabbage and carrots to the skillet with the chicken. Continue to stir and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables wilt and release liquid evaporates.
- Add the noodles and sauce: Add the cooked noodles and the prepared sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together until the sauce coats the noodles and ingredients. Add more water if the dish seems too dry.
- Taste the dish and adjust seasoning, adding more soy sauce if needed.
- Serve the Chicken Lo Mein topped with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, and the optional roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Leftover Chicken Lo Mein stores well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and reheats easily in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Easy Chicken Lo Mein, Quick Dinner, Healthy Dinner, Chinese Noodles, Chicken Stir Fry, Weeknight Meal