Spicy Chicken Lo Mein

Name: Spicy Chicken Lo Mein
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2/3 cuplow-sodium soy sauceAmount2/3 cupIngredientlow-sodium soy sauce; 3garlicAmount3Ingredientgarlic cloves, minced cloves, minced; 3 tbspsugarAmount3 tbspIngredientsugar; 2 tbspoyster sauceAmount2 tbspIngredientoyster sauce; 2 tsptoasted sesame oilAmount2 tspIngredienttoasted sesame oil; 2 tsppowdered gingerAmount2 tspIngredientpowdered ginger; 2 tspSrirachaAmount2 tspIngredientSriracha, plus more to taste, plus more to taste; 1 lbChinese egg noodlesAmount1 lbIngredientChinese egg noodles or spaghetti or spaghetti; 1 tbspcanola oilAmount1 tbspIngredientcanola oil; 1medium onionAmount1Ingredientmedium onion, cut into ¼-inch thick slices, cut into ¼-inch thick slices; 2 lbboneless skinless chicken thighsAmount2 lbIngredientboneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch cubes, cut into ½-inch cubes; 1red bell pepperAmount1Ingredientred bell pepper, thinly sliced, thinly sliced; 2carrotsAmount2Ingredientcarrots, thinly sliced, thinly sliced; 2celeryAmount2Ingredientcelery stalks, diagonally sliced stalks, diagonally sliced; 1(5-ounce) can sliced water chestnutsAmount1Ingredient(5-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts

This chicken lo mein is loaded with tender chicken thighs, chewy noodles, crisp vegetables, and a savory soy-sriracha sauce. It’s fast, colorful, and perfect for when you want big noodle-bowl flavor without waiting for delivery.

SERVINGS 6
PREP 15 mins
COOK 30 mins
AUTHOR Drew Maresco

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Category Chicken Recipes

Ingredients

Sauce

2/3 cuplow-sodium soy sauce
3garlic cloves, minced
3 tbspsugar
2 tbspoyster sauce
2 tsptoasted sesame oil
2 tsppowdered ginger
2 tspSriracha, plus more to taste

Lo Mein

1 lbChinese egg noodles or spaghetti
1 tbspcanola oil
1medium onion, cut into ¼-inch thick slices
2 lbboneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½-inch cubes
1red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2carrots, thinly sliced
2celery stalks, diagonally sliced
1(5-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts

More to Know

This spicy chicken lo mein is built for busy nights: fast-cooking noodles, tender chicken thighs, crisp-tender vegetables, and a glossy sauce that ties everything together. The key is keeping each part moving so the pan stays hot, the noodles stay springy, and the finished dish tastes saucy instead of soggy.

Why this sauce works

The sauce leans on a few pantry staples that do different jobs. Soy sauce brings salt and depth, oyster sauce adds a savory, slightly sweet base, sugar balances the heat, sesame oil adds nuttiness, ginger gives it warmth, and Sriracha brings the spicy finish. Garlic rounds everything out. Once it hits the hot pan and noodles, it clings instead of pooling, which is what makes the dish feel complete.

Chicken thighs make this especially forgiving

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay tender even if they go a little longer in the pan than you planned. That makes them a smart choice for a weeknight stir-fry style dinner, especially if you are still getting comfortable cooking over higher heat. Cut them into even pieces so they cook at the same pace and stay juicy.

How to keep the noodles from clumping

Cook the noodles just until tender, then drain them right away so they do not keep softening in the pot. If they sit too long, they can stick together before they ever meet the sauce. It also helps to have everything else ready before the pasta is done, since lo mein comes together quickly once the noodles are in the pan.

What to watch for while cooking

Cook the onions until soft and translucent. That gives the dish a sweeter, rounder base instead of sharp onion flavor.
Cook the chicken in batches. Crowding the pan can make it steam instead of brown lightly.
Keep the vegetables crisp-tender. You want them cooked through but still with some bite, so the finished dish has texture.
Stir until the sauce looks glossy. That is your cue that it has coated the noodles evenly.

Easy ways to make it your own

This recipe is flexible as long as you keep the sauce-to-noodle balance in mind. You can adjust the heat with more or less Sriracha, depending on how spicy you want dinner to be. If you like a little more crunch, pull the vegetables off the heat while they are still bright and crisp. If you want a fuller vegetable mix, this style of lo mein also works well with other quick-cooking add-ins like snap peas, mushrooms, cabbage, or broccoli florets.

The noodle choice is also flexible. Chinese egg noodles give the most classic lo mein texture, but spaghetti works well when that is what is already in the pantry. The important part is not the shape alone; it is cooking the noodles until just tender so they can soak up the sauce without falling apart.

Best ways to serve it

Serve this right away while the noodles are glossy and the vegetables still have a little snap. It works as a full dinner on its own, but you can also pair it with simple sides if you want to stretch it a little further. A plain cucumber salad, steamed edamame, or a quick green side keeps the meal balanced without adding much extra work.

Leftovers and reheating

Lo mein is best fresh from the pan, but leftovers hold up well for lunch the next day. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently so the noodles do not dry out. A splash of water before reheating can help loosen the sauce if it thickens in the fridge. Give everything a good stir so the chicken, noodles, and vegetables warm evenly.

Final thought

If you want a takeout-style dinner that still feels totally doable at home, this spicy chicken lo mein is a strong place to start. It is bold, saucy, and weeknight-friendly, with enough flexibility to fit whatever vegetables or noodle shape you already have on hand. Save it for the next time you want something fast that still tastes like you made an effort.

If you want another noodle bowl with a similar takeout-style feel, try this shrimp lo mein for a fast weeknight dinner.

For another quick stir-fried meal with soy sauce, vegetables, and bold flavor, you might also like this pineapple fried rice.

If you enjoy one-pan dinners packed with rice-like comfort and plenty of vegetables, this jambalaya is another satisfying option.

If you like quick takeout-style dinners, you might also enjoy Hot Dog Fried Rice for another fast, savory meal.

If you like another comforting noodle bowl with chicken thighs, you might also enjoy sticky chicken thigh ramen.

If you want a different way to use chicken thighs for a quick dinner, Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas is another flavorful option.

If you like this stir-fry style dinner, try Quick Pepper Steak for another fast, savory meal with crisp vegetables and a bold sauce.

If you want a grilled dinner with a sweet-savory glaze and plenty of vegetables, try Pork Skewers for a different weeknight option.

If you want a sweeter chicken dinner with a similar soy-and-ginger flavor profile, try slow cooker orange chicken.

If you want a lighter Asian-inspired meal with similar sweet-spicy flavors, try Thai Shrimp Salad for a quick dinner that does not require cooking.

More Context

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About the Author

Drew Maresco

Drew Maresco is the founder of bestrecipes.co and a passionate home cook who began his culinary journey as a child, helping his grandma in the kitchen. Over the years, Drew has written hundreds of recipes, always focusing on creating quick, easy, and delicious dishes that use familiar ingredients in innovative ways. He is also a published cookbook author. When he's not cooking, Drew enjoys spending time in his garden, nurturing his hobbyist love for gardening.

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Spicy Chicken Lo Mein