Desi Chow Mein is a hearty combination of pan-fried chicken, crunchy vegetables, noodles and my spicy homemade sauce. A spin on the classic Chinese recipe, this dish is jam-packed with bold flavours and has just the right amount of heat our Pakistani tastebuds love.
In Pakistan, we have our own version of Chinese food, which is usually a tad spicy. My recipe is a take on those street-style Hakka noodles which we all have grown to love.
In this recipe, we stir fry some noodles with crunchy vegetables and chicken and toss them all in a spicy sauce. This chow mein is the ultimate pick-me-up, energy booster for me. I can devour a whole pan of this in one go, seriously!
Like with all Chinese dishes, it's best if your prepare everything before your start cooking. Chop up the vegetables, slice the chicken, prepare the sauce, boil the noodles etc. Once you are frying everything happens so quickly that either you'll end up with mushy vegetables or overcooked noodles.
This Desi Chow Mein pairs extremely well with any Chinese menu. To balance its heat serve it alongside the sweet and saucy fusion Chinese Chicken Manchurian and some Garlic Butter Fried Rice (not Chinese but very versatile).
Now let's head over to this addictive Pakistani-style spicy chicken Chow Mein.
What You'll Need
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Sauces: Regular soy sauce, oyster sauce, sriracha sauce (or any hot chili sauce), chili garlic sauce (preferably the desi spicy ketchup from Knorr, Mitchell's, Shezan etc) and white vinegar.
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Spices: Red chili flakes, brown sugar (can replace with honey or white sugar), freshly grounded black pepper, white pepper and salt.
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Toasted sesame oil is used in this recipe not the plain sesame oil. The one made from toasted sesame seeds has a nutty aroma and flavour. You can skip it if you like but I highly recommend adding it.
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Use either chicken stock cube or chicken powder.
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Vegetables: Red onion is optional but it adds a nice colour. Cabbage, bell pepper (any colour), carrots, spring onion and green chilies all contribute to the flavour of these noodles.
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Chicken can also be replaced with the protein of your choice.
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Use Chinese noodles if you can find them, otherwise spaghetti or egg noodles are fine too.
How To Make Desi Chow Mein
- Marinate the chicken. Add the seasonings to the chicken and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare the sauce. Mix the Chow Mein sauce ingredients (see recipe card below) together.
- Boil the noodles according to package instructions. Make sure you do not overcook them.
- Stir fry the veggies on high heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the chicken and add the crushed garlic.
- Combine everything. Add the noodles to the chicken, then the sauce and vegetables. In the end toss in the spring onions and turn off heat.
Expert Tips and Tricks
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Before you start cooking have everything cut and prepped . Chinese stir frying is very rapid and taking time can mess up the flavours and textures.
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Tossing boiled noodles in toasted sesame oil will impart a toasty flavour in them which makes them smell and taste amazing.
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Make sure not to over cook the vegetables. Just give them 2-3 minutes on high heat until they are no longer raw.
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You can add or replace vegetables of your choice. Some additional options are broccoli, mushrooms, snow peas, bean sprouts and bok choy.
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Save some of the water the noodles are boiling in. Use this water later if the noodles get dry or you want them to be a little more saucy.
How To Make This Vegetarian
Just remove the chicken from the recipe and feel free to replace or add vegetables of your choice. See the Tips and Tricks above for some ideas.
Watch How To Make It
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📖 Recipe
Desi Chow Mein
Stir fried chicken and vegetable noodles jam-packed with bold desi flavours. This dish is spicy and immensely delicious.
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Servings:
Ingredients
- 200 g noodles
- 200 g boneless chicken sliced
- ⅓ teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon regular soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornflour cornstarch
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 1 small green bell pepper sliced
- 2 carrots sliced
- ½ cup cabbage sliced
- 1 red onion sliced - optional
- 3 spring onion green part only, sliced
- 1-2 green chilies deseeded & sliced
- 4 tablespoon oil divided
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
CHOW MEIN SAUCE
- 2 tablespoon regular soya sauce
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha/chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- ¼ chicken cube
- ½ teaspoon grounded black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken with ½ teaspoon white pepper, ⅓ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cornflour (cornstarch) and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Keep aside.
- Prepare the Chow Mein sauce and put aside.
- Boil the noodles according to package instructions. Make sure not to over boil or they will get mushy while stir frying. Keep ¼ cup of the water the noodles are boiling in aside.
- When the noodles are done, strain them in a colander and run cold tap water through them. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil and keep aside.
- In a pan heat a tablespoon of oil. Add the carrot, bell pepper, cabbage and red onion. Sprinkle a dash of salt and black pepper. Stir fry for 3-4 mins only. Do not over cook the veggies. In the end mix the green chili and keep the veggies aside.
- In the same pan add 2 tablespoon oil. Saute the crushed garlic and then add the marinated chicken. Fry on medium high heat until cooked then pour in the sauce.
- Add the boiled noodles. Immediately add to the pan and toss well. Taste for salt at this point and add some if needed. Add the spring onions and mix.
- Take out on a serving plate, sprinkle some sesame seeds and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 463kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 20gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 1387mgPotassium: 568mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 5400IUVitamin C: 37mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and a review in the comments. You can also tag @chilitochoc on Instagram. I love hearing your feedback!
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This recipe has been updated with new pictures and a video. This is the old photo:
Nanajee Travels says
This blog wonderfully showcases the bold and vibrant flavors of Desi Chow Mein! The combination of pan-fried chicken, crunchy vegetables, and noodles, all tossed in a spicy homemade sauce, takes this dish to the next level. I love how it puts a flavorful twist on the classic Chinese recipe, perfectly catering to Pakistani tastebuds with just the right amount of heat. It’s a delicious and hearty meal that brings together the best of both cuisines—definitely a recipe to try for those who love a little extra spice!
Fay says
I'm desi and this was good, but very spicy when I chose option to get measurement of ingredients for 8 servings. Funny thing is I put 800g noodles (not the recommended 400g) and it was still very spicy. I'll reduce the specific spicy ingredients next time.
Qashang says
This recipe is mildly spicy at best. Maybe you put something additionally. Please do give this recipe another shot! Thank you for your feedback. 🙂
Curious says
Hi. What do you do with the extra water that the noodles boiled in? Also when do I add the veggies back in?
Qashang says
Add the water and veggies in the end before the spring onion. The starchy water will prevent the chow mein from being dry.
Sabiha says
Which brand of oyester sauce would you recommend for this?
Qashang says
You can use any. Mine is by Chi Wan.
Craven Moorehead says
You had me at desi
Qashang says
Haha hope you give it a shot!
2pots2cook says
35 minutes for this beauty ? I'm in ! Love it !
Roshni says
Hi, which brand noodles did you use? Regular Spagetti or Egg noodles?
Qashang says
I use Chinese quick cooking noodles but feel free to use egg noodles.
Beenish says
Hi... Tried this recipe today as I was having people over and was a little worried but it turned out soooo good ma Sha Allah... Like the sauce , the measurements everything was spot on.. everyone loved it...
Will try more of your recipes.. thank you
Ikhra mirza says
I just love your recipe... Can't wait to try more ❤️
Priya says
And this one is our all time favorite recipe 🙂
Somayya says
Alhumdulillah I have made this recipe many times and my family simply loves it. We love the spiciness and also that it is not dry.
alishba saud says
GOOD RECIEPE IT WAS DIVINE WITHOUT BROWNSUGAR
Uzma says
I tried this yesterday and whoa it’s so flavorful and spicy! This has been added to my recipe book! Thankyou for such an amazing dish
Chili to Choc says
Yaay I am glad you liked it!
aisha says
great recipe! thanks for sharing
Chili to Choc says
Thank YOU for trying!
Eshrat fatima says
Time and again tried your recipe for chow mei noodles and it was a hit. Thank you for the amazing recipes you create. So far I have tried 5 of your recipes and I can tell that my food can’t go wrong using ur recipes in sha Allah. Lots of love ❤️
Chili to Choc says
Thank you Eshrat! That makes my day.
Sarah says
That looks very yummy! I will add this to my post diet recipes. Plus beautiful pictures as usual. ❤️
chilitochoc says
Thank you so much!
Chilitochoclover says
Awesooome! Easy to make and superspicy! Love your recipes!