La Choy often reminds people of quick, tasty meals enjoyed with Family. The familiar can of chow mein is a pantry favorite, making American-style Chinese food easy to enjoy at Home. While canned chow mein is convenient, making your own version lets you adjust the flavors, choose your ingredients, and enjoy a fresher, more flavorful meal.
This guide will show you how to make this classic meal at Home. You’ll learn what goes into the dish, follow an easy step-by-step recipe, and find tips to make it your own. Let’s turn a simple favorite into a tasty homemade dinner.
The Essentials of La Choy Chow Mein
Before you start cooking, it helps to know what makes La Choy chow mein special. This American Chinese dish is made for Western tastes. It features crisp vegetables, a savory brown sauce, and crunchy chow mein noodles on top. The dish is simple and uses easy-to-find ingredients.
The Key Components
To make great homemade La Choy-style chow mein, focus on these three main parts:
- The Protein and Vegetables: Traditionally, chicken is the go-to protein, but you can easily substitute it with beef, pork, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. The vegetable mix is just as flexible. Classic choices include celery, bean sprouts, onion, and water chestnuts, all of which provide a satisfying crunch.
- Savory Sauce: The key to this dish is its flavorful brown sauce. It’s usually made with soy sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, a bit of sugar for balance, and cornstarch to thicken it and coat the other ingredients.
- Crispy Noodles: Crunchy noodles are a must for La Choy chow mein. You can buy them ready-made, or make your own by frying cooked egg noodles until they are golden and crisp.
Step-by-Step Recipe for Homemade La Choy Chow Mein
This recipe makes enough for four people and is quick and easy, so it’s great for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium is a good option)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Chow Mein:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
- 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
- 1 (8-ounce) can sliced bamboo shoots, drained (optional)
- Cooked rice, for serving
- 1 (5-ounce) can La Choy Chow Mein Noodles (or other crispy chow mein noodles)
Cooking Instructions
Just follow these steps and you’ll have your meal ready in less than 30 minutes.
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch until the cornstarch dissolves and there are no lumps. Set the mixture aside for now.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring now and then, until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the onion and celery to the same skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, until they start to soften but still have some crunch. If the pan is dry, add a little more oil.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients and Thicken the Sauce
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the bean sprouts and drain. Put the cooked chicken back in the skillet with the vegetables. Add the bean sprouts and drained water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots if you’re using them. Stir everything together constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens to a glossy consistency. This should only take about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
When the sauce has thickened and coats everything, your chow mein is done. Serve it hot over white or brown rice, and top each plate with plenty of crispy chow mein noodles for that classic crunch.
Customizing Your Chow Mein
A great part of making this dish at Home is that you can change it to fit your tastes. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Experiment with Different Proteins
- Beef: Use thinly sliced flank or sirloin steak.
- Pork: Thinly sliced pork loin or tenderloin works well.
- Shrimp: Add raw, peeled shrimp during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking the vegetables, and cook until they are pink and opaque.
- Tofu: For a vegetarian version, use firm or extra-firm tofu. Press it to remove excess water, cut it into cubes, and pan-fry until golden before adding it to the vegetables.
Add More Vegetables
Don’t be afraid to clean out your vegetable crisper. Other great additions include:
- Sliced mushrooms
- Feel free to use up any vegetables you have on hand. Other good options include: Add firm vegetables like carrots and broccoli with the celery and onion. Add softer ones like snow peas near the end so they stay crisp.
Adjust the Sauce Flavor
- For more depth: Add a teaspoon of sesame oil or a tablespoon of oyster sauce to the sauce mixture.
- For a bit of spice: Whisk in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha.
- For a savory kick: Add a minced garlic clove or a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger when you sauté the onions and celery.
A Classic Meal Made Your Way
Making La Choy-style chow mein at Home is easy and satisfying. You get the same comforting, savory taste as the original, but with fresh ingredients and your own twist. Whether you use chicken or try other proteins and vegetables, you’ll end up with a tasty meal everyone will enjoy.
Want to try more homemade Chinese-American dishes? Check out our other recipes, like sweet and sour chicken or homemade egg rolls.
