Are you a fan of chicken and noodles? If so you will love this Instant Pot Chow Mein recipe with or without chicken. This simple Chow Mein pressure cooker recipe is delicious, packs a punch and is super healthy. Enjoy. You'll love this chow mein noodles dish and never need takeout again!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Tasty: This Instant Pot Chow Mein is ready in minutes, not hours.
- Restaurant Quality: Enjoy takeout flavors as you pressure cook in your own kitchen.
- Versatile Dish: Easily customize vegetable chow mein with your favorite proteins and vegetables.
📋 Ingredients
- Hokkien Noodles: The backbone of your chow mein, chinese noodles provide a deliciously chewy texture that absorbs the flavors of the dish.
- Sesame seeds : Adds a delightful crunch and a hint of nuttiness to the dish.
- Salt :For bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Chow Mein Sauce
- Chicken Broth: Forms the savory foundation of the sauce.
- Vegetable Oil: For sautéing the ginger and garlic, helping to release their aromatic flavors into the sauce.
- Ginger Paste: Adds a warm, spicy kick to the sauce, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
- Garlic Minced: Infuses the sauce with its distinctive pungent, spicy flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Contributes a rich umami taste and a deep brown color to the sauce.
- White Wine Vinegar: Provides a tangy counterpoint to the richness of the other sauce ingredients, balancing out the flavors.
- Red chili Powder: Brings a touch of heat to the sauce, giving the chow mein a spicy edge.
- Brown sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to the sauce, complementing its salty and spicy flavors.
Chow Mein Vegetables
- Cabbage: Brings a pleasing crunch and mild sweetness to the chow mein.
- Carrot: Adds a pop of color, a touch of sweetness, and a satisfying crunch to the dish.
- Red Bell Pepper: Contributes a sweet, slightly smoky flavor and a vibrant splash of color.
- Green Onions: Provides a mild, oniony flavor and a bright green color that makes the dish visually appealing.
- Broccoli: Adds a hearty texture and a dose of nutrients to the chow mein.
Meat (Optional)
- Chicken Breast: Makes the dish more hearty and protein-packed. If you prefer, you can leave it out or replace it with tofu for a vegetarian version.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Flavor: You may want to add a teaspoon of sesame oil, hoisin sauce or oyster sauce for some extra flavor.
- Green Cabbage: If you can;t get hold of purple cabbage add some green napa cabbage in it's place.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Chow Mein
Mix together everything for the sauce. Whisk well and set aside.
Add to your Instant Pot the noodles, cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. Add chicken if doing a non-vegetarian chow mein.
Add in your sauce over the vegetables and noodles. do not add the broccoli or green onions. stir well using tongs.
Close the lid on your Instant Pot by twisting the lid on. Close the valve on the instant pot by pushing it away from you.
Set your Instant Pot to high pressure for four minutes.
Once the timer is up, do a manual release using a hot pad or a towel and pull the valve toward you.
Add in your broccoli. Mix well with tongs.
Close your Instant Pot by twisting the lid back on and allow the broccoli to cook for an additional three minutes in the heat of the rest of the ingredients. Do not turn the Instant Pot back on.
Once the three minutes are up, open the lid to the Instant Pot. Give your chow mein one more mix with the tongs.
Serve your cooked noodles in a bowl or plate. Enjoy
What Goes With Chow Mein?
- Stir-Fried Bok Choy: Tender bok choy cooked with a dash of soy sauce, a simple and nutritious side for a balanced meal.
- Egg Drop Soup: Warm and comforting, this classic soup complements the noodle dish with delicate egg ribbons and flavorful broth.
- Sweet And Sour Chicken: A great dish to go alongside your chow mein noodles.
- Instant Pot Mongolian Beef: For a beef flair add some Mongolian beef as a side for this chow mein meal.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Use the Right Noodles: Opt for traditional chow mein noodles or yakisoba noodles, which hold up well under pressure and maintain a good texture. Avoid using thin noodles like angel hair pasta, as they can become mushy.
- Prep Ingredients Properly: Cut all vegetables and meats into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Since cooking times are fast in an Instant Pot, having everything cut consistently helps in achieving the right texture for all components.
- Layer Ingredients: Start by sautéing your aromatics and meat in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. Add the noodles on top and then layer the vegetables. Pour the sauce over everything but do not stir. This prevents the noodles from sticking to the bottom and getting too soft.
- Quick Release to Prevent Overcooking: After cooking, use the quick release function to stop the cooking process immediately. This is crucial for preventing the noodles and vegetables from becoming overly soft and losing their bite.
💭 FAQs
Allow the Instant Pot chow mein to cool to room temperature before storing any leftovers. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
Noodles can sometimes become mushy when frozen and reheated. If your chow mein has noodles, consider freezing the sauce and vegetables separately. Portion them into airtight containers for up to 2-3 months.
Traditional chow mein noodles (thin, wheat-based, and slightly crispy) work best. If unavailable, you can substitute with thin egg noodles, yakisoba noodles, or even spaghetti in a pinch.
Cook the noodles until just tender, drain well, and toss them in a little oil to prevent sticking. Stir-fry on high heat for a slightly crispy texture.
Classic options include cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, bean sprouts, and green onions. You can also add mushrooms, snap peas, or broccoli for variety.
Yes! You can prep the noodles and chop the veggies ahead of time. Cooked chow mein stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a hot pan with a splash of soy sauce or water to restore texture.
Both lo mein and chow mein are made using Chinese egg noodles. Whilst lo mein noodles uses only fresh egg noodles, chow mein uses either fresh or dried noodles and the cooking times for dried and fresh noodles is quite different.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chow Mein Recipe:
- Serve with extra steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers for a complete meal.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of soy or hoisin sauce.
- Pair with a light soup or a side of spring rolls for a balanced Asian-inspired dinner.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Chow Mein Recipe
Ingredients
- 14.2 oz Hokkien Noodles
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
For The Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Ginger Paste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Minced
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable oil
- Pinch Salt
Vegetables
- ½ cup Cabbage Thinly Sliced
- 1 Carrot peeled and sliced to matchsticks
- ½ cup Bell Pepper
- ¼ cup Green Onions
- ½ cup Broccoli Small Florets
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds For Garnish
Instructions
- Mix together everything for the sauce. Whisk well and set aside.
- Add to your instant pot the noodles, cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. Add chicken
if doing a non-vegetarian chow mein. - Add in your sauce over the vegetables and noodles. do not add the broccoli or green onions. stir well using tongs.
- Close the lid on your instant pot by twisting the lid on. Close the valve on the instant pot by pushing it away from you. Set your instant pot to high pressure for four minutes. Once the timer is up, do a manual release by using a hot pad or a towel and pull the valve toward you.
- Add in your broccoli. Mix well with tongs. Close your instant pot by twisting the lid back on and allow the broccoli to cook for an additional three minutes in the heat of the rest of the ingredients. Do not turn the instant pot back on.
- Once the three minutes are up, open the lid to the instant pot. Give your chow mein one more mix with the tongs. Serve in a bowl or plate. Enjoy.
Nutrition
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