If you’ve ever craved the delightful flavors of takeout without the hefty price tag or calorie count, this **One Pot Chicken Chow Mein** might just become your weeknight go-to. It’s packed with vibrant veggies and tender chicken, all effortlessly cooked together in a single pot—a dream come true for busy nights!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: Everything cooks in one pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
- Healthier Takeout Alternative: Enjoy all the delicious chow mein vibes with less grease and more veggies.
- Customizable: Adapt the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have in your fridge.
- Bursting with Flavor: A perfect blend of soy, hoisin, and ginger delivers a delightful taste in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Despite its complex-sounding name, this One Pot Chicken Chow Mein requires simple ingredients that pack a punch. Each element adds to the dish’s overall harmony, whether it’s the crunchiness from the veggies or the umami from the sauces.
- Canola Oil: A neutral oil that’s perfect for sautéing without overpowering the other flavors.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: These provide lean protein and soak up the flavors beautifully.
- Cabbage or Coleslaw Mix: Offers a delightful crunch and a nutritional boost.
- Red Pepper, Carrots, and Snap Peas: Add color and sweetness for a balanced profile.
- Minced Garlic and Ginger: Aromatic foundations that elevate the chow mein.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Keeps the dish moist while controlling salt levels.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce and Hoisin Sauce: These sauces create that familiar takeout flavor with a slightly sweet and savory finish.
- Whole Grain Spaghettini Pasta: A healthier carb option, or switch it up with fresh chow mein noodles for authenticity.
- Corn Starch and Honey (optional): Thickens and sweetens as needed, enhancing the sauce texture and flavor.
Variations
This One Pot Chicken Chow Mein recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to tweak it to suit your mood or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and personalize it.
- Vegetarian Delight: Swap the chicken for tofu and add mushrooms for extra texture.
- Spicy Kick: Amp up the heat by adding more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the pasta with gluten-free noodles or rice noodles.
How to Make One Pot Chicken Chow Mein
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating the canola oil over medium-high heat in your trusty large pot. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook until they’re just beginning to turn white on the outside. This initial sear keeps the meat juicy and infuses it with flavor, setting the stage for the vegetables.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Introduce the shredded cabbage, sliced red pepper, carrots, and snap peas to the pot. Cook them for 2-3 minutes, just enough to soften them without losing their vibrant colors and crunch.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, followed by the salt and red pepper flakes. Let them cook for a minute, allowing their wonderful aromas to blossom. This creates the flavor foundation for your dish.
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce and Pasta
Pour in the chicken broth, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then add the pasta, reducing the heat to medium. Cover and cook until the pasta is al dente, remembering to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Finish with an Optional Thickener
If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix corn starch with a little water and stir it into the pot. Optionally, add a touch of honey to balance the flavors, then enjoy your homemade chow mein!
Pro Tips for Making One Pot Chicken Chow Mein
- Vegetable Timing: Add sturdier vegetables like carrots first to ensure even tenderness.
- Noodle Selection: For a more authentic feel, opt for fresh chow mein noodles if available.
- Sauté Smartly: Keep your veggies crisp-tender by avoiding overcooking during the initial sauté.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste the sauce before serving and tweak with honey or extra soy sauce as needed.
How to Serve One Pot Chicken Chow Mein
Garnishes
A sprinkle of sliced green onions and sesame seeds not only adds a pop of color but also an extra layer of taste. Consider lemon or lime wedges for a citrusy zing.
Side Dishes
Pair your One Pot Chicken Chow Mein with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh, crisp cucumber salad to balance the richness of the dish.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your dish in vibrant bowls for an appealing presentation, or get fancy with chopsticks for an authentic dining experience at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover chow mein in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. This keeps it fresh and prevents the noodles from absorbing too much sauce.
Freezing
If freezing, do so before adding the pasta for best results. Store your chicken and vegetable mix in an airtight container for up to two months.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm your leftovers in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to regain the original sauciness.
FAQs
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Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken. Just add it after the vegetables have softened, which prevents the chicken from becoming overly dry or rubbery.
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What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?
Try a mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, and a dash of sriracha or Chinese five-spice powder to mimic the sweet and savory elements of hoisin sauce.
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Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Absolutely! Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
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Can I use dried chow mein noodles?
Yes, dried chow mein noodles work fine. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure they are cooked through.
Final Thoughts
Cooking can feel like a warm hug when you put together something as comforting and flavorful as this **One Pot Chicken Chow Mein**. It’s a delightful fusion of simplicity and flavor that I heartily recommend. Try it out, share it with friends, and let it become a staple in your weekly recipe rotation!
Print
One Pot Chicken Chow Mein Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This One Pot Chicken Chow Mein is a quick, flavorful, and wholesome dish that combines tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and savory sauces all cooked together in a single pot. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers a delightful Asian-inspired taste with the convenience of minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Protein
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Vegetables
- 3 cups shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded or matchstick carrots
- 1 cup stringless snap peas
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Sauces & Liquids
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup hoisin sauce
Pasta & Thickeners
- 340 grams whole grain spaghettini pasta (or an equal amount of fresh chow mein noodles)
- 2 tablespoons water (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
Optional Sweetener
- Honey (for balancing flavors, optional)
Instructions
- Add oil and cook chicken: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add canola oil. Cook the cubed chicken until it is mostly white on the outside, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add vegetables: Add shredded cabbage, sliced red pepper, carrots, and snap peas. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are slightly softened but still retain some crispness.
- Add aromatics: Stir in minced garlic, ginger, salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in liquids and cook pasta: Add chicken broth, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, stir in the pasta and reduce heat to medium. Cover the pot and cook, stirring every couple of minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on pasta type.
- Thicken sauce (optional): If desired, combine cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir into the pasta mixture to thicken the sauce, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens. You can add a tablespoon of honey at this stage to balance the savory flavors if needed.
- Serve: Once the sauce has reached your preferred consistency, serve the hot chow mein directly from the pot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Using whole grain pasta adds fiber and nutrients, but you can substitute with traditional chow mein noodles for authentic texture.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes or add hot sauce.
- Adjust soy and hoisin sauce quantities to suit your saltiness preference.
- This dish can be customized with additional vegetables like bamboo shoots or mushrooms.
- For a thicker sauce, always create and stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end of cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 10 grams
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 55 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
