Garlic Chicken Lo Mein

🥢 Introduction: The Perfect Weeknight Dinner

When you’re craving a comforting yet flavorful dinner that’s quick to make, Garlic Chicken Lo Mein is the answer. This stir-fry is the epitome of balance, with tender chicken, savory garlic, and a medley of vibrant vegetables tossed in a silky-smooth sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is packed with umami and made in just 30 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for your family, a date night in, or simply satisfying your noodle cravings, Garlic Chicken Lo Mein is a reliable go-to recipe that’s sure to impress.

Inspired by the rich flavors of traditional Chinese stir-fries, this dish combines fresh ingredients, a few pantry staples, and a dash of creativity to give you a mouthwatering experience. The crispy vegetables, tender chicken, and aromatic garlic come together in perfect harmony, making this dish a meal that’s full of flavor, crunch, and heart.

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Garlic Chicken Lo Mein

There’s a lot to love about Garlic Chicken Lo Mein. Not only is it simple and fast to prepare, but it also checks all the boxes for a satisfying meal:

✅ Quick and Easy

With just 30 minutes from start to finish, you can have a delicious homemade stir-fry ready in no time. No complicated techniques here—just a few steps to bring everything together.

✅ Flavor-Packed

The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil creates a deep, savory sauce that perfectly coats the chicken and noodles, while the garlic and veggies add layers of flavor.

✅ Customizable

You can easily swap out the vegetables to suit your taste or use whatever you have in your fridge. Want to make it spicier? Add a dash of chili flakes or sriracha.

✅ Healthy and Nutritious

Packed with lean chicken and fresh veggies, this dish is a great way to get your protein and vitamins, all while enjoying a comforting meal.

✅ Perfect for Leftovers

This dish makes great leftovers! The noodles and sauce absorb all the flavors overnight, so you can enjoy an even better-tasting meal the next day.

🛒 Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make Garlic Chicken Lo Mein:

🍜 For the Noodles:

8 oz lo mein noodles: These are the classic noodle for lo mein, but you can use spaghetti or egg noodles as a substitute if you can’t find them.

🍗 For the Chicken:

1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced: Lean and protein-packed, chicken breast is the perfect meat for stir-fries, ensuring your dish stays light but filling.

🧄 For the Garlic and Vegetables:

3 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic is the aromatic base of this dish, giving it its signature flavor.
2 cups mixed vegetables: A colorful mix of carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli is perfect for a well-rounded dish. You can also add snow peas, mushrooms, or baby corn.

🍶 For the Sauce:

¼ cup soy sauce: A classic, salty base that ties the flavors together.
2 tbsp oyster sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth to the dish.
1 tbsp hoisin sauce: Slightly sweet and tangy, hoisin adds a wonderful complexity to the sauce.
1 tsp sesame oil: A small amount of this fragrant oil adds a nutty, toasted flavor that elevates the entire dish.

🍽️ For Garnish:

Salt and pepper, to taste: Season the dish to your preference.
Green onions, sliced: These provide a fresh, crunchy finish and a pop of color on top.

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

🍜 Step 1: Cook the Lo Mein Noodles

Start by boiling the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions. Be sure to cook them al dente, as they will continue to cook in the pan when you stir-fry them. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.

Pro Tip: For extra flavor, toss the cooked noodles with a splash of sesame oil to prevent sticking and infuse a little extra aroma.

🍗 Step 2: Cook the Chicken

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Make sure the chicken is evenly browned and tender.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate. This will allow you to use the same skillet for cooking the garlic and vegetables, which will help retain all the delicious flavor left behind from the chicken.

🧄 Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Vegetables

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté it for 1 minute, or until it becomes fragrant and golden brown.

Then, add the mixed vegetables—carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli. Stir-fry them for 3-4 minutes, or until they’re tender-crisp, meaning they’re still vibrant and have a bit of crunch. This ensures they retain their nutrients and texture, making them a great complement to the tender chicken and noodles.

🍜 Step 4: Mix the Sauce

While the vegetables are cooking, take a small bowl and whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. This sauce will provide a rich, umami-packed coating for the noodles and chicken.

Once the vegetables are done, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, followed by the noodles. Pour the sauce over the mixture, then use tongs or a spatula to gently toss everything together. Stir-fry everything for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the noodles and chicken evenly.

🍽️ Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste, making sure to adjust the flavors as you go. Once everything is well mixed and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat.

Top with freshly sliced green onions for a burst of freshness and a vibrant finish.

Serve your Garlic Chicken Lo Mein hot, and enjoy the incredible combination of tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and savory noodles.

⏲️ Quick Recipe Recap

Step	Time
Prep Time	10 minutes
Cook Time	20 minutes
Total Time	30 minutes
Servings	4 servings
Calories per Serving	~450 kcal

🧠 Tips for the Best Garlic Chicken Lo Mein

🧄 Garlic is Key

The garlic is the flavor foundation of this dish, so don’t skimp on it. Fresh garlic will give a much better flavor than pre-minced or jarred garlic.

🍜 Use Fresh Noodles

Fresh lo mein noodles are ideal for this recipe. If using dry noodles, be sure to cook them just enough to maintain their texture when stir-fried. You can find fresh lo mein noodles at most Asian grocery stores.

🥕 Mix Up the Veggies

Feel free to swap in any of your favorite stir-fry vegetables, like snow peas, baby corn, bok choy, or mushrooms. The more variety, the better!

🔥 Adjust the Heat

If you want a bit of spice, add a sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of sriracha into the sauce. You can also stir-fry some fresh ginger along with the garlic for an additional kick.

🧊 Storing and Reheating

Storage:

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The noodles will soak up the sauce overnight, making the flavors even more intense.

Reheating:

To reheat, simply warm it up in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can microwave it, but make sure to stir halfway through to ensure even heating.

🥡 Serving Suggestions

This dish is delicious on its own, but you can serve it alongside some of these:

🍚 Sides:

Egg rolls or spring rolls for a crunchy side.
Asian-style dumplings with soy dipping sauce.
Steamed jasmine rice to soak up the savory sauce.

🍹 Drinks:

Iced green tea or a sparkling ginger ale for a refreshing balance to the heat.
Light beers or dry white wine pair well with the umami of the dish.

🔁 Variations of Garlic Chicken Lo Mein

🍖 Beef Lo Mein

Swap the chicken for thinly sliced beef like flank steak for a richer flavor.

🥕 Vegetarian Lo Mein

Replace the chicken with tofu or go fully veggie by adding more of your favorite stir-fry vegetables.

🍤 Shrimp Lo Mein

Substitute the chicken