Authentic Chinese Cuisine: Chicken Chow Mein and Pork Fried Rice

According to celebrity chef John, “Chicken chow mein and pork fried rice make for a mouthwatering Chinese takeout combo.”

He notes that the tender chicken and noodles pair perfectly with the savory cubed pork and fried rice.

These classic Chinese dishes satisfy any craving for a filling, flavorsome meal.

The medley of meats and spices beckons your taste buds.

With each bite of the soy-soaked noodles and sesame oil-infused rice, you’ll be transported straight to Chinatown.

Let’s explore the secrets behind whipping up these takeout favorites at home.

You’ll impress guests without breaking the bank.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Chicken chow mein and pork fried rice, what to know?

Chicken chow mein and pork fried rice are popular Chinese dishes featuring stir-fried noodles with chicken and a variety of vegetables, and fried rice with pork, respectively.

How to Make Delicious Chicken Chow Mein Faster than Chinese Takeout

The Main Ingredients for Chicken Chow Mein

The key items you’ll need for a tasty chicken chow mein (1) are:

• Chicken breast (1 pound): Cut into 1/2 inch thin strips across the grain for tender, bite-sized pieces that cook quickly and evenly.
• Chow mein noodles (8 ounces): These thin crispy noodles, available in most grocery stores, give chow mein its signature taste and texture.
• Vegetable oil (2 tbsp): Heat it up high in your wok to stir-fry the chicken and noodles.
• Soy sauce (2 tbsp): This salty, umami-rich sauce adds a deep savory flavor.
• Chinese cooking wine (1 tbsp): Its subtle aromatic qualities lift and enhance the other ingredients.
• Oyster sauce (1 tbsp): With its rich yet salty taste, it boosts the umami to take the dish to the next level.
• Sugar (1/2 tbsp): Just a pinch balances the saltiness of the other sauces.
• Sesame oil (1/2 tbsp): Stir in right before serving for a nutty aroma.
• Garlic (2 cloves), minced: Adds a subtle backnote of garlic flavor.
• Ginger (1 tbsp), grated: Its spicy-freshness perfumes the dish.
• Green onions (1 cup), sliced: Provides crisp color and texture, and a fresh bite as a garnish.

Simple Steps to Make Chicken Chow Mein at Home

Follow these quick and easy steps:

1. Slice the chicken into thin matchsticks for fast, evenly cooking.
2. Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package instructions; drain and set aside.
3. Heat oil in a wok over HIGH heat. This step is crucial – high heat ensures food doesnt stew but develops flavor through charring.
4. Add the chicken and stir-fry until it slightly chars and is no longer pink inside.
5. Throw in minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 30 seconds to release their aromatic flavors without burning.
6. Pour in soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce and sugar. Stir to completely coat the chicken.
7. Toss in the cooked noodles and mix everything together thoroughly. The chicken juices and sauces will perfectly coat the noodles.
8. Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions. In minutes you’ll be enjoying better-than-takeout chicken chow mein!

How to Make Delicious Pork Fried Rice in Minutes

The Key Ingredients for Flavorful Pork Fried Rice

Cooked rice – Around 3 cups of day-old rice soaks up maximum flavor. Leftover rice from last night’s meal works great.

Ground pork – 1/2 pound of lean ground pork (no more than 15% fat) adds savory meatiness throughout. Browning the full half pound ensures plenty for every mouthful of rice.

Soy sauce – Start with 2-3 tablespoons of light soy sauce, then add more to taste, depending on your preference for saltiness. Its fermented essence brings umami richness.

Chinese cooking wine – Use 1-2 tablespoons of Shaoxing wine or dry sherry to enhance the other elements.

Sesame oil – Finish the dish with a teaspoon of sesame oil, or to taste, just before serving to awaken its nutty aroma and taste.

Garlic – 2-3 cloves of minced garlic sauté quickly in the oil to release its sweetness.

Green onions – A few stalks of thinly sliced green onions provide a fresh contrast.

Egg – 1 whole egg scrambled into the rice adds protein and tradition.

Frozen vegetable mix – Stir in 1/2 cup any mix of veggies like bean sprouts and bok choy for nutrients, color and texture.

My Go-To Method Learned in Hong Kong

1. Heat oil in a wok over high heat. This step is important – you want that wok smoking hot!
2. Add the garlic and stir-fry for just 15 seconds, releasing its sweet flavors. Don’t let it burn.
3. Crank up the meatiness by browning the ground pork, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
4. Push the pork aside and add the egg to the center to quickly scramble it throughout.
5. Once just set, incorporate the pork and egg together again.
6. Enliven the dish with additions of soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine and sesame oil.
7. Stir in the frozen veggies and allow a minute or two for everything to intermingle.
8. Finally, toss in the rice and mix thoroughly so each grain absorbs the savory goodness.
9. Top with green onions and dig in while it’s hot! Feel free to adjust ingredients to your tastes.

Using this simple method, you’ll be enjoying pork fried rice (2) worthy of any Hong Kong cafe in just 10 minutes.

With practice, you’ll be making pan-fried noodles, beef chow fun and orange chicken just as the locals do. Now get cooking!

Complementary recipes

Nothing complements a hearty plate of chicken chow mein like a side of pork fried rice.

This stir fried rice loaded with cubed pork, snap peas, and dark soy sauce makes the perfect pairing.

Recreate your favorite Chinese restaurant combo at home with these easy takeout recipes.

Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 pound chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 1⁄4 cup stir fry sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1⁄4 teaspoon white pepper

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add diced chicken and stir fry until almost cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add frozen mixed veggies and continue stir frying for 2 more minutes.
4. Stir in cooked rice and stir fry sauce. Toss everything together until piping hot.
5. Remove from heat and add soy sauce and white pepper. Mix well and enjoy!

Vegetable Chow Mein

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1 cup snap peas
• 3 cups cooked lo mein noodles
• 1⁄4 cup stir fry sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Directions:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat.
2. Add cabbage, carrots, celery and snap peas. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add cooked lo mein noodles and stir fry sauce. Toss everything together until noodles are fully coated.
4. Transfer to a plate and garnish with green onions. Enjoy this meatless chow mein!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 cup pineapple chunks

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and cornstarch. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry marinated chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, combine ketchup, brown sugar, 1⁄4 cup vinegar and pineapple. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Return fried chicken to skillet and toss to coat in sweet and sour sauce. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do chow mein noodles absorb the sauce better than other noodles?

Chow mein noodles are thin, soft noodles that absorb sauce very well.

The hollow insides of chow mein noodles can hold lots of flavors from the sauce.

You want to use chow mein noodles if you want the best chow mein!

What kind of sauce makes the best chow mein?

Many people say that oyster sauce makes the best chow mein sauce.

Oyster sauce adds a rich, salty and slightly sweet flavor.

You can also mix oyster sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and other Asian sauces.

Feel free to experiment with different sauce combinations to see what tastes best to you.

How can I make my homemade chow mein even better than takeout?

One tip is to cook your chow mein over high heat.

This helps the noodles and veggies get nice and brown and crispy.

Browning everything adds a lot more flavor than if you cook on low heat.

You can also make your own chow mein sauce instead of just using soy sauce.

Try the recipe and see if your homemade chow mein tastes even better than takeout!

What is the best way to cook pork chow mein?

Many people enjoy pan fried pork chow mein.

You can cook thin slices of char sui pork or pork loin in a hot pan with a little oil over high heat until browned and crispy.

Then add vegetables and pan fried noodles and toss everything together with the sauce.

The browned pork adds great flavor and texture.

You can also stir fry pork with the veggies and noodles.

How long does it take to prepare chicken chow mein from start to finish?

A homemade chicken chow mein can usually be prepared in 30 minutes or less.

10 minutes is typically needed for prep work like slicing chicken, vegetables, and noodles.

Then 7-10 minutes is good for stir frying everything together over high heat.

The prep time depends on how many ingredients you want to use, but in general this Asian recipe comes together quite quickly for a tasty dinner or meal prep.

What protein other than chicken can be used for chicken fried rice?

Besides chicken, common protein options used in chicken fried rice include pork, beef, shrimp or tofu.

Pre-cooked meats like cubed ham, spam or leftover pork/beef can be chopped or sliced and stir fried along with the rice and veggies.

Shrimp is a favorite for its sweetness.

For a plant-based option, Extra firm or pressed tofu works well cubed and pan fried until golden brown before mixing into the rice.

What vegetable pairings work well in chicken fried rice?

When making chicken fried rice, some classic vegetable pairings to consider adding include carrots, peas, corn, broccoli, cabbage, bean sprouts or bok choy.

These Asian veggie options hold up well to the high heat stir frying method and add color, texture and nutrition to the fried rice.

Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand or prefer.

Avoid adding too many though so the rice stays the star.

How much oil is needed to cook chicken fried rice?

A good amount of oil to use for chicken fried rice is 1-2 tablespoons.

You’ll want to heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat before adding the ingredients.

The oil helps to cook and brown the chicken, vegetables and rice together without sticking.

It also adds flavor and moisture.

Too little oil can cause ingredients to burn or stick, so start with 1-2 Tbsp and add more if needed as you cook.

Conclusion

Recreating classic Chinese takeout dishes like chicken chow mein and pork fried rice is easier than you think.

With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up restaurant-quality meals from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Mix up the protein with chicken, pork, or even vegetarian options.

Play with different stir fry sauces and seasonings until you find your favorite flavors.

Serve these tasty recipes with an assortment of sides like crab rangoons, egg rolls, and dumplings for the ultimate homemade Chinese feast.

Cooking at home saves money and lets you control exactly what goes into your food.

Plus, impressing your family with your own authentic stir fry creations is priceless.

Try out these simple yet delicious recipes and let us know how it goes in the comments! Happy wokking.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chow_mein#:~:text=In%20American%20Chinese%20cuisine%2C%20it,dish%20at%20westernized%20Chinese%20restaurants.
2. https://www.thespruceeats.com/fried-rice-recipe-695037

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