Chicken Spaghetti Lo Mein is a delicious East-meets-West dish that blends tender chicken, stir-fried vegetables, and spaghetti noodles in a savory, slightly sweet Asian-style sauce. It’s the perfect recipe for when you want the bold flavors of takeout lo mein but only have regular pasta on hand. This recipe is quick, satisfying, and incredibly easy to customize with whatever you have in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fast and easy weeknight dinner
- Combines pantry staples into a flavorful, comforting meal
- A creative way to use up leftover spaghetti
- Customizable with your choice of vegetables or protein
- Tastes better than takeout and more budget-friendly
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Spaghetti (or linguine), cooked and drained
- Chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
- Vegetable oil
- Garlic, minced
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce (optional)
- Sesame oil
- Ground black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, broccoli)
- Cornstarch mixed with water (to thicken sauce)
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- Cook the spaghetti
- Cook according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce (if using), sesame oil, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch slurry.
- Cook the chicken
- Heat oil in a wok or large skillet. Add sliced chicken and stir-fry until browned and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Stir-fry vegetables
- In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Stir-fry vegetables until tender-crisp. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Combine all ingredients
- Return chicken to the pan. Pour in the sauce and stir to coat. Add cooked spaghetti and toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated and heated through.
- Serve
- Plate and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
Variations
- Spicy Lo Mein: Add chili paste or sriracha to the sauce
- Low-carb version: Use zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles
- Vegetarian option: Skip the chicken and use tofu or just extra veggies
- Add-ins: Try bean sprouts, mushrooms, or snap peas for more variety
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheating: Microwave or stir-fry in a pan over medium heat until warm. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce
- Freezing: Not recommended, as noodles can become mushy after thawing
FAQs
Can I use other noodles besides spaghetti?
Yes, linguine, fettuccine, or authentic lo mein noodles work great.
What vegetables go best in lo mein?
Bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, snow peas, cabbage, and mushrooms are great options.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
Toss the cooked spaghetti with a little oil if you’re not using them right away.
Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, it reheats well and can be meal prepped for up to 3 days.
Is it okay to use leftover spaghetti?
Absolutely, this is a great way to repurpose leftover noodles.
Can I make the sauce spicier?
Add chili garlic sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes to adjust the heat level.
What cut of chicken works best?
Boneless skinless thighs are juicier, but breasts work just as well.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, thaw and pat dry before stir-frying to avoid extra moisture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce and verify that all condiments are gluten-free.
Can I add an egg like in fried noodles?
Yes, scramble an egg in the pan before adding the noodles for added richness.
Conclusion
Chicken Spaghetti Lo Mein is a flavorful, adaptable dish that blends pantry-friendly ingredients into a quick and satisfying meal. Whether you’re craving something saucy, savory, or just need to use up that leftover spaghetti, this recipe delivers comfort and flavor with every bite.
Print
Chicken Spaghetti Lo Mein
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Halal
Description
Chicken Spaghetti Lo Mein is a delicious fusion dish combining tender chicken, spaghetti noodles, and crisp vegetables tossed in a savory Asian-style sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for marinating)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup snow peas or snap peas
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (for sauce)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Marinate sliced chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and cornstarch for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chicken broth. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until no longer pink and slightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry garlic, ginger, bell pepper, carrots, and peas for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Return chicken to the pan, add cooked spaghetti, and pour in the sauce.
- Toss everything together over high heat until well combined and heated through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
- Spaghetti can be replaced with lo mein or egg noodles.
- Add chili garlic sauce for extra heat if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 75mg