A bold and satisfying chicken stir fry noodles dish of pan-fried chicken, crisp vegetables, and noodles tossed in a spicy, savory sauce. Quick to make and impossible to resist, this desi take on classic chow mein brings the street-style Hakka flavor straight to your kitchen.
Cook the noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Do not overcook. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain well. Toss with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil and set aside. Reserve ¼ cup noodle water.
In a bowl, combine the chicken with salt, white pepper, soy sauce, and cornflour. Mix well and set aside while you prepare the vegetables.
In a small bowl, whisk together all the Chow Mein Sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large wok or pan over medium-high heat. Add the scallion whites, bell pepper, and carrots. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
Add the red onion, cabbage, and green chilies. Toss for another minute. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
Add another 2–3 tablespoons oil to the same pan and heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer and let it sear undisturbed for 40-50 seconds before tossing. Cook on high heat until lightly browned and cooked through.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 10 seconds until fragrant.
Add the cooked noodles to the pan. Let them sit for 20–30 seconds to lightly roast, then toss well.
Return the vegetables to the pan and toss to combine.
Pour in the prepared sauce and toss quickly on high heat until the noodles are evenly coated. Add a splash of reserved noodle water if needed to loosen and create gloss.
Turn off the heat and mix in the scallion greens. Serve hot.
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Notes
Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat with a small splash of water to refresh the sauce.
Make Ahead - You can slice the vegetables and marinate the chicken up to a day in advance. Keep everything refrigerated and stir-fry just before serving for the best texture.
Vegetarian - To make this vegetarian, skip the chicken and double up on vegetables like mushrooms, broccoli, or bean sprouts. You can also add pan-fried tofu for protein. The sauce and technique stay exactly the same, and it works just as well as a vegetable Hakka noodles recipe.