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5.0 from 3 votes

Special Chow Mein (Chinese Takeaway Copycat)

A deliciously easy peasy version of a Chinese Takeaway favourite! This Special Chow Mein is not only quick and simple to make, it’s also healthier than a standard takeaway version… and cheaper too! What’s not to like?

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 407 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian , Chinese

Ingredients

Easy Chow Mein Sauce
  • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce (I use Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce*)
  • 4 tablespoons dark soy sauce (I use Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce*)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
Special Chow Mein Stir Fry
  • 300 g chicken breast cut into bitesize pieces (roughly 2cm / ¾ inch cubes)
  • 1 small onion thinly sliced
  • 1 medium carrot peeled and cut into matchsticks
  • 1 small red pepper peeled and cut into matchsticks
  • ½ small savoy cabbage sliced thinly
  • 150 g beansprouts
  • 4 spring onions thinly sliced
  • 225 g dried medium egg noodles (I use Sharwoods Medium Egg Noodles*)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (See Note 1)
  • 300 g ready-cooked jumbo king prawns

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Mix all the Chow Mein Sauce ingredients in a jam jar (or similar). Screw the lid on tightly and give it a good shake.
  2. Place the diced chicken in a large bowl and drizzle over 1 tablespoon of the sauce. Stir well so all the chicken is coated in the sauce.
  3. Prepare all the vegetables as above. (This is important because you will need to work fast afterwards!)
  4. Place the dried noodles in a saucepan. Cover with plenty of boiling water. Bring back to the boil and cook for 3½ minutes or until nearly (but not quite) done to your liking. Use a fork to separate the noodles during cooking to ensure they don’t all clump together. Drain immediately when cooked. (See Note 2.)
  5. Meanwhile, in a wok (or very large frying pan), heat the oil over a high heat for 1 minute. Add the chicken pieces and fry until light golden brown on all sides, stirring regularly. (Approximately 3 minutes – do not overcook!) Remove the chicken to a plate.
  6. Put the wok back over a high heat and add the sliced onion, carrot, red pepper and cabbage. Fry for 2 minutes, stirring regularly.
  7. Add the chicken back to the pan, along with the cooked prawns and all the sauce. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly. The sauce should thicken and the chicken will cook through fully. (See Note 3.)
  8. Add the drained noodles, beansprouts and HALF the sliced spring onions. Stir together thoroughly for 1 minute, then turn off the heat.
  9. Serve immediately garnished with the remaining sliced spring onions.

Notes

  • Use a neutral oil such as rapeseed, vegetable or sunflower. Alternatively, if you prefer cooking with olive oil, use a mild olive oil.
  • If you are leaving the noodles to stand for more than a minute, toss with a tablespoon of sesame oil to stop the noodles sticking together. Don’t quite fully cook your noodles at this point, as they will cook a little more in the wok.
  • Cooked as per the above instructions, the chicken should be fully cooked all the way through. However, if you are at all unsure, check the chicken is cooked through by cutting open the largest piece you can find. There should be no pink meat. If you do find pink meat, return the pan to the heat and continue cooking for a further minute, then check again.
  • Not suitable for freezing.
  • Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

Nutrition Information

Calories 407kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.03g Cholesterol 143mg (48%) Sodium 1585mg (66%) Potassium 800mg (23%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 4332IU (87%) Vitamin C 67mg (74%) Calcium 100mg (10%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 407

% Daily Value*

Calories 407kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 34g 68%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.03g 2%
Cholesterol 143mg 48%
Sodium 1585mg 66%
Potassium 800mg 17%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 4332IU 87%
Vitamin C 67mg 74%
Calcium 100mg 10%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.