This One Pot Chicken Chow Mein is a fast and healthy dinner the whole family will love! Loaded with juicy chicken, bell peppers, cabbage, peas and carrots, it’s ready in about 30 minutes!
Table of Contents
A Quick and Healthy One-Pot Dinner
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, life always seems to be busy!
With 3 kids aged pre-school to grade 4, we are always on our toes, and healthy, one pot dinners are our go-to’s most days.
I know that this is not a traditional chow mein recipe, but it is my take on chow mein with simple ingredients that we usually have on hand. If you’re looking for a totally authentic recipe, you are welcome to look somewhere else 🙂
Love one pot pastas? Check out this Cajun Chicken Pasta and this Feta Pasta with Dill next!
What’s the Difference Between Chicken Chow Mein and Chicken Lo Mein?
Like I said, I will never profess to know anything about cooking authentic Asian food, but I do my best and this is one recipe we all love. I load it up with veggies and there are no fights at dinner time.
However, if you wanted to make this recipe more authentic, you could turn it into a more traditional chow mein or lo mein without too much hassle.
What’s the main difference? Basically, it’s about the cooking technique. Both dishes start with Chinese egg noodles that have been cooked al dente. From there, chow mein dishes are made with stir-fried noodles topped with savory sauce, veggies, and/or meat. In lo mein dishes, the noodles are cooked briefly in the sauce along with the other ingredients.
As a one-pot dish, this easy chicken chow mein recipe doesn’t exactly take either approach. It may not be authentic, but it is flavorful, easy, healthy, and fast! You can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!
If you love Asian-inspired chicken dinners, you might also like these Chicken Lettuce Wraps or this Teriyaki Chicken!
Recipe Ingredients
Let’s take a look at the ingredients for this easy recipe. Most If you’re not sure whether hoisin sauce is worth an extra purchase, just do it. It adds so much amazing flavor and you will find yourself using it over and over. (Note: To see the recipe card with amounts and nutrition info, scroll to the bottom of this post!)
- Oil: I use canola oil for gently cooking the chicken and veggies, but you could substitute any oil you prefer. Just make sure it has a reasonably high smoke point—you don’t want to ruin the flavor of a more delicate oil. Sesame oil is a common choice, but has a strong flavor so I would recommend just using a little for finishing.
- Chicken: Breasts are my go-to, but chicken thighs would also be fine. They should be boneless and cut into cubes.
- Fresh Vegetables: Red bell pepper, snap peas, shredded cabbage (or coleslaw mix), and matchstick carrots are a colorful and easy combination. However, feel free to substitute your favourites!
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is my favorite, but garlic powder is also fine.
- Ginger: Again, I like to use minced fresh ginger, but the recipe will still be super tasty with powdered ginger.
- Red Pepper Flakes: These can be omitted for a milder dish, or you can use a couple of pinches of cayenne for more heat.
- Broth: To give our one-pot pasta more flavor, I use chicken broth instead of water to cook the pasta. You can also use vegetable broth or water, depending on what you have or prefer.
- Soy Sauce and Hoisin Sauce: These two Asian sauces combine to make the perfect easy chow mein sauce!
- Noodles: You’ll need a box (375 grams or about 13 ounces) of whole grain spaghettini pasta, or an equal amount of dried ramen or chow mein noodles.
- Water and Cornstarch: These are optional, for thickening the sauce.
How to Make One Pot Chicken Chow Mein
To make this recipe, you’ll need to saute everything briefly and then simmer to cook through. It’s easiest and fastest if you get your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start the cooking process!
See the detailed recipe down below in the recipe card.
- Cook the Cubed Chicken. Place a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the oil and allow it to heat for a few seconds. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and saute or stir-fry until the chicken cubes are mostly browned.
- Cook the Vegetables. Add the bell peppers, peas, cabbage and carrots (or whatever veggies you choose) and cook for a few minutes, until the veggies are softened slightly.
- Add the Aromatics. Stir the garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes into the mixture, and cook for one minute release their fragrances and flavors.
- Add Liquids and Noodles. Stir in your broth of choice (or water), the soy sauce, and the hoisin sauce. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Gently drop in the noodles, and reduce the heat to medium.
- Finish Cooking. Cook the pasta along with the other ingredients uncovered for about 5 minutes. Stir the pasta frequently to keep it from clumping and sticking (we don’t want no clumps!). Once most of the liquid has been absorbed, cover the pot and cook everything for 3-4 more minutes, until pasta is al dente or cooked to your preference.
- Enjoy! At this point, you can serve the pasta. If you want a thicker sauce, mix a bit of corn starch with water, and stir the mixture into the pot. The sauce will thicken as you stir.
Tips and Variations
This dish is so, so flexible! You can change the pasta, the protein, the veggies, and even how you prepare it. As you know, I’m not a big fan of rules here, so you do your thang! Here are a few ideas
- Protein: This dish works well with lean cubed boneless pork chops, cubes of firm, well-drained tofu, or even browned ground beef. I don’t recommend using cubes of steak, because they may over- or under-cook (depending on the cut). And if you’re into batch cooking or meal prep, you can made a big batch of Instant Pot Shredded Chicken and setting some aside for this Chicken Chow Mein!
- Veggies: You might want to mix up the veggies. Onions, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, snow peas, bean sprouts, green onions, bok choy, water chestnuts… the choices are endless!
- Two Pots? If you like, you can cook the noodles in the broth separately from the stir-fried, saucy veggies and chicken. Cook them until al dente, and then give them a quick stir-fry in a skillet to get a crispy pan-fried texture. Yum!
Serving Suggestions
This one-pot meal is complete in itself, but if you’d like to add an extra dish or two, one of these simple takeout-style recipes would be a great choice! Meal prep is easy if you make several main dishes one night per week, and set the leftovers aside (or freeze them) to use later in lunches, etc.
- Mongolian Beef: Set it and forget it! This Mongolian Beef with Pineapple is great over your favorite rice or noodles.
- Grilled Chicken: Sweet and Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken? How can I put this… you need this chicken in your life! And you don’t have to use an outdoor grill. It cooks up just as perfectly on a grill pan or cast iron skillet.
- Sweet and Sour Chicken: Another slow-cooker favorite, this easy Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken is a sticky, sweet, and tangy main course the whole family will adore.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store this pasta in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days.
The best way to reheat saucy pasta is in the microwave or in a covered skillet. Reheating in the pot may result in a scorched bottom layer and cold top layer!
- To Microwave: Place the desired portion in a shallow layer on a plate and microwave for 10-30 seconds at a time until hot. Stir to prevent hot and cold spots.
- To Reheat on the Stove: Place the desired portion in a shallow layer in a skillet. Add a splash of water or broth if the pasta seems dry. Heat on low, covered, until the dish is steaming hot.
One Pot Chicken Chow Mein
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 3 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 2 large carrots peeled and shredded
- 1 red pepper thinly sliced
- 1 cup stringless snap peas
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups chicken broth*
- ⅓ cup soy sauce*
- ⅓ cup hoisin sauce
- 375 grams whole grain spaghettini pasta (or an equal amount of dried ramen or chow mein noodles)
- 2 tablespoons water optional
- 1 tablespooon corn starch optional
- honey for sweetening optional
Instructions
- Add oil to a large pot and cook chicken over medium-high heat, just until mostly browned.
- Add pepper, peas, cabbage and carrot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until veggies are softened slightly.
- Add garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in broth, soy sauce and hoisin sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta and reduce heat to medium.
- Cover and cook, stirring every couple of minutes so that the pasta doesn't stick together (we don't want clumps!), until al dente or desired tenderness is reached.
- If desired, combine corn starch and water and stir into pasta to thicken sauce. You can also add a tablespoon or so of honey to balance out the soy sauce if needed. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Kate says
I tried this recipe tonight. Followed it to the letter (except subbed fresh vegetables for frozen) and it was so quick and easy to make but it turned out so salty that it burned to eat it. Perhaps it was the mix of chicken broth, soy sauce, and hoisin, which all include salt. But at least the kids ate it.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Kate — you definitely need to use low sodium soy sauce and chicken broth, and if you don’t it will be very salty.
Melissa Doerksen says
Made this tonight and it was an instant hit! So delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Yay! Thanks Melissa!
Shannon says
This was so quick, easy & delicious!
I omitted snap peas
I added: celery, onion, peas, broccoli (microwaved frozen peas & broccoli separately & added at the end before serving)
Next time I’ll add edamame!
I also used a little more hoisin & soy sauce since I added so many more veggies.
The store was out of regular hoisin, so I bought garlic hoisin and omitted the garlic from the recipe.
Everyone loved it and I’ll definitely make it again! Thank you so much!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for filling us in on your swaps!
Liz says
YES to one pot meals. This is a perfect weeknight staple. Thanks for making such yummy recipes!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Liz!
Chantal says
I’m trying this partly because I too had my 3rd baby in Nov, have a crazy 2 year old and my big girl is off to Kindy in Sept! I’m a teacher too and while I’ll still be on mat leave in Sept, I start my masters in September!! lol. It’s officially in the meal plan!
Ashley Fehr says
That is so ironic Chantal! We have so much in common 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!
Chantal says
Ok I’m back because it’s back in the meal plan! Super yummy! And I had to comment because we just bought a new pan and my hubby grabbed The Rock and is so in love. Goodness I think it’s funny the weird things we have in common
Ashley Fehr says
That is too awesome! I love that you’re loving the pans as much as we do!
Treasa says
I’ve never tried a one-pot pasta dish before because I’m gluten free and I was unsure how they would work with GF noodles. I finally took the plunge and attempted your recipe with GF spaghetti noodles and it worked beautifully! I’m sure I had to adjust the cooking time for the noodles a little bit, but I didn’t keep track of that. I just kept an eye on the noodles (instead of a timer) and cooked them until al dente. I will definitely be making this again! Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Yay, I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for coming back and letting us know how it turned out!
Robin says
I would love to try this in a instant pot….have you ever adapted it to the instant pot?
Ashley Fehr says
I haven’t sorry! Great idea!
Heidi says
could regular spaghetti be used? 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, that should work you will just cook it until al dente 🙂
Laura Froese says
Just wondering if you have a suggestion to use instead of the hoisin sauce? Husband is allergic to sesame and it was it every sauce I looked at in the grocery store.
Ashley Fehr says
I don’t really, but I think you could leave it out and adjust the flavors as needed at the end. Let me know if you do try it!
Adina says
Search on google how to make your own
Hoisin sauce and just exclude the sesame oil.
I didn’t had the sauce neither and I made my own and it was very good. I used the recipe from livestrong.com from the article “How to substitute sesame oil for hoisin sauce”. And in your case, you just skip the sesame oil and mix the rest of ingredients with some water.
Hope this helps. 🙂
Heather says
Family loved the old recipe but just came back to make it again and saw it has changed. Any way you could send me the old one?
Ashley Fehr says
I will email you 🙂
Stephanie Blackwell says
Can you please send me the original recipe as well? Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
Have you tried it? There’s a reason it was updated — because this one is much better 🙂
Fay says
I will be trying the new version, but can you send me the old one as well?
Ashley Fehr says
Done 🙂
pedro says
Just wanned to say the pictures are not even near the discribed recipe
Ashley Fehr says
I realize that! Updates are coming.
Kathy says
The post talks about apricot jam but the recipe posted doesn’t call for it?
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry Kathy! I’m in the process of redoing the recipe and I guess I didn’t adjust the post. I remade it with more authentic chow mein flavors and I actually like the new version better! Feel free to add a scoop of apricot jam in for additional sweetness if you think you would like it.
Amy says
I love fast and easy meals! Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Amy!
Jane says
I made this for dinner last night. Unfortuately, I had the same experience as the above reviewer. The angel hair pasta didn’t have a chance even before the pot came to a simmer on med high as instructed. It all stuck together and then turned to big balls and clumps of mush. i had to pick them all out of the meal. The taste was amazing, so we just ate the chicken and veggies. I’m going to try again with a thicker, more durable asian noodle or regular spaghetti because other than the pasta issue it’s a really nice recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Jane! No, I definitely wouldn’t ever use angel hair pasta and that’s not what is called for. It’s a very thin noodle and won’t work well in one pot pasta recipes because it cooks so quickly! Let me know how it works out next time.
Jane says
That’s what happens when I assume Angel hair pasta must be similar to spaghettini! Cook, live and learn! ?
Ashley Fehr says
No worries! I would love to hear how you like it if you try it again!
Jane says
Will do!??
Lisa FW says
I made this with rice noodles. I place them in a bowl of warm water for 15-20 min and drained well before adding them . I also marinate the chicken in housing sauce for 30 min before cooking. Easy and delish!
Ashley Fehr says
Yum!
Darlene Skinner says
Here in Texas we don’t measure grams of pasta. Could you convert to ounces? Thanks y’all.
Ashley Fehr says
Google tells me it is about 11-12 ounces
Caitlin says
I made this recipe last night & am sad to say ($10+ of ingredients later) that it ended up in the trash! I followed the directions perfectly, but the result was still an overly starchy pile of mush. The apricot added a flavor that didn’t remind me of chow mein either. Both my fiance and I couldn’t stomach the texture/taste so it got dumped in the trash 🙁 It’s too bad because we normally love one-pot pasta dishes. I think the thin spaghetti was just too thing and soaked up too much liquid too fast or something. It was a bummer!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sorry to hear that! It sounds like the pasta was overcooked. It cooks so quickly!
Nancy says
Love delicious and easy! My kind of recipe! Thanks.
Celina Loyer says
Just made your chow mein recipe and it turned out quite well.
I used coleslaw, fresh bean sprouts and water chestnuts for my veggies.
I substituted Teriyaki sauce for the apricot jam.
I used leftover steak, turkey and rotisserie chicken for my protein.
What an awesome recipe to use up leftovers.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Celina! It is the perfect way to use up extras in the fridge!
LaTrice says
Hello, Ashley! I found your recipe on Pintrest, and honestly, I’m a HUGE fan of chow mein noodles. According to your recipe, you used spaghettini that has fiber in it. Is it possible that I can use whole wheat spaghetti, or whole wheat angel hair pasta? Thanks!!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi LaTrice! I just use spaghettini because it’s easier for me to find, but you can definitely use whole wheat spaghetti or angel hair pasta. The spaghetti would cook slightly longer and the angel hair likely quite a bit less, though I’ve actually never cooked angel hair pasta so I can’t say exactly how long. I hope that helps!
Rachael Yerkes says
Ashley! This looks so good. I think my kids would love it. And as always, beautiful photos.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks so much Rachael!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Chow mein is one of my faves .. I have to try this! yummmm!
Ashley Fehr says
My version is probably (definitely) not at a1ll authentic! I’m just a faker 😉