Chicken Chow Mein
This Chicken Chow Mein recipe is a slimming friendly treat for anyone counting calories or following plans like Weight Watchers!
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories396
- Carbs56g
- Protein32g
- Fat2.9g
- Saturates0.6g
- Sugars17g
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For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
Chow Mein means ‘stir noodle’, or ‘stir-fried noodle’. This Chicken Chow Mein recipe uses egg noodles, chicken and vegetables like carrots, spring onion and mange tout. However, there’s nothing to stop you swapping or adding any meat or veg you want.
This Chicken Chow Mein is a quick and simple dish. Perfect after a busy day or just when you don’t fancy making anything too complicated.
You’ll need a few Oriental basics for this recipe, like dark soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce and Chinese five spice. But if you’re on a slimming plan and are a fan of our Chinese Fakeaways, you’ll have a cupboard full already!
If you’re a fan of Asian inspired dishes, it’s well worth checking out some of our other recipes!
- Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
- Chinese Chicken Curry
- Chinese Fakeaway Fried Rice
- Sticky Chinese BBQ Pork
- Salt and Pepper Chicken
What diets is this Chicken Chow Mein suitable for?
You can enjoy this Chicken Chow Mein if you’re dairy free.
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
You can also make this dish vegetarian by swapping out the chicken for a meat substitute such as Quorn, and swapping the Oyster Sauce for a veggie alternative.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Chicken Chow Mein?
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You don’t really need anything special to make this Chicken Chow Mein. A few classic spices and sauces that are used in many of our Chinese recipes add the flavour to this dish.
Hints & Tips
Below we added some of our communities most common hints and tips. We hope you find them useful.
Swap the chicken for another meat, or any veg you like.
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‘Full of flavour. Have never used tinned bean sprouts before but they worked a treat. Nice little crunch to the noodles. Better than a takeaway and so quick to make. A winner all round’
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You’ll also need is a good wok. There are plenty like this one on Amazon.
You could even buy a few takeaway containers from Amazon for that authentic takeaway experience (although we have a fair few leftover from our pre slimming days!).
How many Calories are in this Chicken Chow Mein?
Each portion of this Chicken Chow Mein is 396 calories. This means it falls into our Everyday Light recipe category. You can find all of our other Everyday Light recipes here.
This Chicken Chow Mein is a great alternative to the oily takeaway version if you’re following a calorie controlled diet. Just 1 portion from the takeaway can be as many as 1100 calories! It also fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Spray a wok with low calorie cooking spray and set on a medium-high heat. Add the onion, ginger and garlic and carrots and fry for 4-5 minutes until you can smell the aromatics.
Step 2
Add the chicken breast and continue to cook on high until the chicken begins to brown. This should take around 5 minutes.
Step 3
Add in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sweetener, black pepper and Chinese five spice and stir well. Continue to cookfor 8-10 minutes whilst you cook the noodles.
Step 4
Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 5
Add the peppers, mange tout, spring onions, and water chestnuts and turn down to a simmer. Cook for another 3-5 minutes depending on how crunchy you like your veg.
Step 6
Stir through the noodles, and beansprouts and serve!
What should you serve with Chicken Chow Mein?
This recipe is a full meal on it’s own, it doesn’t need to be served with anything! However, you could make a few different dishes and have a little from each for a fakeaway feast!
Whatever you choose, don’t forget to account for any extra calories and/or other nutritional values.
How do you know when Chicken Chow Mein is cooked?
The chicken pieces will be browned on the outside and white all the way through. The vegetables will be softened but will still have a little bit of bite. There shouldn’t be lots of liquid, but the veg and chicken will be coated.
This should take approx 20 minutes on the hob on a high – medium heat.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
How long can you keep Chicken Chow Mein in the fridge?
Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Chicken Chow Mein in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze Chicken Chow Mein?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat Chicken Chow Mein?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes until piping hot.
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Chicken Chow Mein
This Chicken Chow Mein recipe is a slimming friendly treat for anyone counting calories or following plans like Weight Watchers!
-
Prep Time
15 MINS
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Cook Time
20 MINS
- KCals 396
- Carbs 56G
Instructions
- Spray a wok with low calorie cooking spray and set on a medium-high heat. Add the onion, ginger and garlic and carrots and fry for 4-5 minutes until you can smell the aromatics.
- Add the chicken breast and continue to cook on high until the chicken begins to brown. This should take around 5 minutes.
- Add in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sweetener, black pepper and Chinese five spice and stir well. Continue to cook for for 8-10 minutes whilst you cook the noodles.
- Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Add the peppers, mange tout, spring onions, and water chestnuts and turn down to a simmer. Cook for another 3-5 minutes depending on how crunchy you like your veg.
- Stir through the noodles, and beansprouts and serve!
Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?
With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.
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34 comments
See what others have to say
JordanWednesday 12th May 2021
Hi can I put spring rolls and prawn crackers with it if I wanted to??
HollyFriday 14th May 2021
Hey Jordan, prawn crackers and spring rolls would be great served alongside the Chicken Chow Mein!
TracySunday 4th April 2021
This dish was absolutely delicious and I really enjoyed making it. The hubby nommed away at it giving his seal of approval – result 🙂 Froze half, which when reheated tasted even better as all the flavours had infused. Will definitely be making this one again!
HollyTuesday 6th April 2021
Hey Tracy, thanks so much for your message, we are so glad to hear you enjoyed making and tasting this recipe!
Katharina ArcherFriday 13th November 2020
I made the chow Mein without the chicken and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would definitely make again with or without chicken.
HollyMonday 16th November 2020
Hi Katharina, so glad you enjoyed the Chicken Chow Mein!
SallyThursday 27th August 2020
Can I swap chicken for beef in this recipe
SharonFriday 28th August 2020
Hi Sally, yes, you could use beef instead of chicken in this recipe, it would work well. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Peter ColebrookThursday 14th May 2020
Is the noodles in the chow Mein dry ones please ?
Steve CowderoyFriday 15th May 2020
Hi Peter, thank you for getting in touch with us, we do use dried noodles in this recipe. Hope this helps.
BreegeMonday 13th January 2020
I made this for dinner yesterday and It was really delicious had it again for lunch today – not quite as nice today but still tasty. I did add a splash of boiling water to add a bit more liquid. Thank you for sending to my inbox on Sunday. P.S. I tried to share on twitter but it didn’t seem to work.
Holly LevellTuesday 26th May 2020
Hey Breege, so glad you enjoyed the Chicken Chow Mein it’s one of my favourites too! Glad to see you get inspiration from the emails on a Sunday too!
LaurenThursday 30th May 2019
Will this not be dry? I don’t understand either what would be simmering? Sorry if i am m being silly.
Emma TThursday 20th June 2019
Hi Lauren,
There are various “sauce” ingredients which go in to give this some sauce to simmer, plus there will be liquid released as the vegetables cook ????
Hannah CollinsMonday 25th March 2019
Will this work with beef also?.
LisaMonday 8th April 2019
Hi Hannah
Yes, this recipe works well with beef. Just make sure you use a cut that is suitable for quick cooking. Rump steak would be ideal.
Hope this helps.
AnnaFriday 1st March 2019
hi can you eat this cold….????
KatieWednesday 12th September 2018
Sorry if this is a daft question but is rice wine vinegar and rice vinegar different? I tried googling it but got mixed messages…
SamTuesday 28th August 2018
hiya, would this last for a few days in the fridge? Thinking of having it for dinner and then lunches the next few days. Thanks 🙂
KarenSaturday 18th August 2018
Very interested
Thank yiu
JulieMonday 28th May 2018
I made this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely gorgeous. I put mushrooms in too, as they are my favourite veg. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, I will definitely make this again!
DorothyTuesday 27th March 2018
Hi could you tell me if this can be frozen. Thank you.
KellySunday 15th October 2017
Can you freeze this ?
KateSaturday 25th March 2017
Hi Jo
Yes they are
Kate dowlingSaturday 18th March 2017
I made this fab dish this evening – and it was really delicious. It was full of flavour and not too spicy. I will definitely make it again. Thank you 🙂
KateThursday 23rd March 2017
Hi Kate
Glad you like it
LauraSunday 5th March 2017
Loved this, easy to do so long as you prepare EVERYTHING first. Really tasty and plenty to fill you up. I had to do without beansprouts as sainsbury’s didn’t have any but I added extra water chestnuts which were lovely and crunchy. I will definitely make this again! Nom nom!
KateMonday 6th March 2017
Hi Laura
Glad you like it
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