Lucas Delgado
Chicken lo mein is a delicious Chinese noodle dish featuring chewy lo mein noodles stir-fried with tender chicken and vegetables. The chicken is cut into small pieces or strips and combined with cornstarch, water, oil, and oyster sauce before being stir-fried. The key to cutting chicken for lo mein is to slice it against the grain into uniform, thin strips or cubes. Freezing the chicken for 15 minutes before slicing can help to firm it up and make it easier to cut. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cut up chicken for lo mein, ensuring tender and evenly cooked pieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Chicken breast or thighs, cut into small pieces or strips |
| Noodles | Lo mein, egg noodles, rice noodles, or stir-fry noodles |
| Aromatics | Garlic, onion, ginger |
| Vegetables | Carrots, cabbage, green onions, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, snow peas, zucchini, yellow squash, bok choy |
| Sauce | Soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, chicken broth, brown sugar |
| Marinade | Cornstarch, water, oil, oyster sauce, salt, white pepper, light soy sauce, shaoxing wine, avocado oil |
| Cooking Method | Stir-fried, seared, sautéed |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting chicken into strips
To cut chicken into strips for lo mein, you'll first want to firm up the chicken breast by placing it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. This will make it easier to slice. Next, hold the chicken breast with your non-knife hand, curling your fingertips under your knuckles to avoid slicing them. Then, using long, even strokes, slice the chicken breast into strips about 1/4-inch thick, cutting at a sharp bias against the grain. You can also create slivers of chicken by stacking a few slices and slicing them lengthwise. Aim for uniform matchstick-sized pieces. If you prefer larger pieces, cut the chicken into wider strips first, then cut those strips crosswise into cubes.
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How to slice chicken breast
To slice chicken breast for lo mein, you'll want to cut the meat into strips that are about 1/4-inch thick. It's important to cut against the grain, but not completely, as this can make the chicken too tender. Hold the chicken breast with your non-knife hand, ensuring your fingertips are curled under your knuckles for safety. Then, use long, even strokes to slice the meat into uniform strips.
If you need slivers of chicken for your lo mein, stack a few strips at a time and slice them lengthwise into matchstick-like pieces. For diced chicken, start by slicing the breast into wider strips, then cut each strip crosswise into cubes. You can make smaller cubes by slicing each strip in half lengthwise first.
To make slicing chicken breast easier, place it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm it up. This will help you achieve more precise cuts, especially if you're finding the meat slippery to handle.
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Chicken breast vs. chicken thighs
Chicken lo mein is a delicious Chinese noodle dish with chewy noodles stir-fried with tender chicken and vegetables. The chicken is combined with cornstarch, water, oil, and oyster sauce before being seared in a wok. The choice of chicken cut for lo mein ultimately depends on your preference and health goals.
Chicken breast is a lean protein, which means it is a good source of protein without much added fat. It is lower in calories and fat than chicken thighs, making it a better option for weight management. Chicken breasts are also easier to cut into strips or cubes for stir-frying.
On the other hand, chicken thighs have a higher fat content, making them more flavorful and less likely to dry out during cooking. This can be advantageous for stir-fries and slow roasting. Chicken thighs are also a good source of iron and zinc, essential for a healthy immune system and making proteins and DNA.
For lo mein, you can use either chicken breast or chicken thigh, depending on your preference for flavor, texture, and health considerations. If you opt for chicken breast, slice the meat against the grain into 1/4" strips. For chicken thighs, you can cut them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
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Marinating the chicken
Firstly, decide on the type of chicken you wish to use. Chicken breast or chicken thighs are the most commonly used cuts for lo mein. If using chicken breast, you can opt for boneless and skinless, which is easier to slice and cook evenly. If you prefer darker meat, chicken thighs are a good option, and you can use boneless and skinless thighs for convenience.
Once you have your chicken, you'll want to slice it into small pieces suitable for stir-frying. A helpful tip is to partially freeze the chicken for about 15 minutes before slicing, which will make it firmer and easier to cut. When cutting, hold the chicken breast with your non-knife hand, ensuring your fingertips are curled under your knuckles for safety. Slice the chicken with long, even strokes, cutting at a sharp bias against the grain. Aim for slices about 1/4-inch thick, which is ideal for lo mein. If you want smaller pieces, stack a few slices and cut them into matchstick-sized strips.
After slicing the chicken, it's time to marinate. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with your chosen marinade ingredients. A simple marinade for lo mein chicken typically includes cornstarch, water, oil, and oyster sauce. You can also add other ingredients like soy sauce, white pepper, and salt to enhance the flavour. Mix the chicken with the marinade until all the pieces are well-coated. Then, set it aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients for your lo mein.
The chicken will absorb the flavours of the marinade while it sits, becoming more tender and juicy. The marination time can vary depending on your preference and the ingredients used. A shorter marination time, such as 30 minutes, will still impart flavour, while a longer time, like a few hours or overnight, will result in more deeply infused flavours.
Remember to give the chicken enough time to marinate before cooking, and always ensure your work surfaces, utensils, and hands are clean when handling raw chicken to prevent any cross-contamination.
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Cooking the chicken
Chicken lo mein is a delicious Chinese noodle dish featuring chewy lo mein noodles stir-fried with tender chicken and vegetables. The chicken is typically cut into small pieces or strips before being cooked. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook the chicken for chicken lo mein:
Preparing the Chicken:
Before cooking, it is recommended to cut the chicken into small pieces or strips. You can use chicken breast or thighs, depending on your preference. If using chicken breast, slice it into 1/4-inch strips against the grain. For a stir-fry, you can cut the chicken into wider strips first and then slice those strips into cubes for smaller pieces. To ensure precise slicing, you can place the chicken in the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm it up.
Marinating the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine the chicken with cornstarch, water, oil, and oyster sauce. You can also add other ingredients like soy sauce, white pepper, and salt to taste. Mix well and set aside to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients. This allows the flavours to infuse into the chicken.
To cook the chicken, you'll need a wok or a large pan. Heat the wok over high heat and add oil, typically about 2 tablespoons. Then, add the chicken and sear it for a couple of minutes until it is browned. Stir or toss the chicken occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once the chicken is cooked through and golden brown, remove it from the wok and set it aside.
Stir-Frying with Other Ingredients:
After removing the chicken, add another drizzle of oil to the wok if needed. Then, add ingredients like garlic, ginger, onion, and the white part of green onions. Sauté these aromatics until they become fragrant and slightly wilted. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and bell peppers at this stage and stir-fry until they are softened.
Combining with Noodles and Sauce:
Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, it's time to add the cooked noodles and the chicken back into the wok. Pour in the sauce mixture that you prepared earlier and mix everything well. Continue stir-frying and tossing the ingredients together until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the noodles, chicken, and vegetables.
By following these steps, you will have perfectly cooked chicken for your chicken lo mein dish. The chicken should be tender and flavourful, complementing the chewy lo mein noodles and the savoury sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut the chicken into small pieces or strips. If you want slivers of chicken, cut the chicken breast into slices, stack a few slices at a time, then slice them lengthwise. For diced chicken, cut the meat into wider strips first, then cut each strip crosswise into cubes.
Place the chicken on a plate and put it in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it firmer and easier to slice. Hold the chicken breast with your non-knife hand, curling your fingertips under your knuckles, and slice with long, even strokes into slices about 1/4-inch thick.
Slice the chicken against the grain but not 100% against it, as this can make the meat too tender.
You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs. If using chicken breast, slice the meat against the grain. Thighs are better if you prefer darker meat.
Aside from chicken and Lo Mein noodles, you will need soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, salt, garlic, ginger, and vegetables of your choice.
