Chow mein is associated with Chinese cuisine and has a strong connection to Cantonese culture. However, versions of fried noodles have changed as Chinese communities' cooking traditions spread around the world. 

The name is linked to the idea of stir-fried noodles, and the dish has developed in places including North America and South Asia.

Bowl of stir-fry noodles with vegetables | Source: Elavegan

The Recipe

Ingredients

For the noodles and protein:

• 6½ oz of chow mein noodles
• Water and salt for boiling
• 6 oz chicken breast, boneless and skinless, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 tsp chipotle powder (optional)
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 3 tbsp oil

For the vegetables:

• 1 small carrot, julienned
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 fresh red hot peppers, thinly sliced

For the sauce:

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown or white sugar

Making chow mein | Source: The Wooden Skillet

Method

1. Cook the noodles.
Get a pot of salted water and bring it to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to what the packet says or until 'just' tender. Drain and set aside. 

2. Season the chicken.
While the noodles are cooking, season the chicken with oregano, garlic, chipotle powder, honey, salt and black pepper. 

3. Heat the wok.
Put three tablespoons of oil into a pan/large skillet over medium to high heat.

4. Cook the chicken.
Place the chicken in a single layer and leave it undisturbed for about one minute so it can gain some colour. Turn the pieces over and cook for another minute, then stir-fry for approximately one more minute until cooked through. 

More cooking towards Chow Mein | Source: Gimme Some Oven

5. Add the vegetables.
Add the vegetables. Stir-fry for about two minutes. The vegetables remain a bit crisp. 

6. Make the sauce.
In a bowl, mix the sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar. 

7. Combine everything.
Add the noodles to the pan and pour the sauce over the top. Mix everything until evenly coated and heated through. This should take about one to two minutes. 

8. Add any additional seasoning if needed. Then serve!

This recipe is easy to customise to your liking. You can swap the chicken for beef, pork, shrimp or tofu. You can also use vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms or green beans. The recipe makes 2 to 4 servings, and leftovers can be refrigerated for up to three days.

All further recipes and instructions can be found at CookingWithRia.

Overall, this spicy chow mein is a simple and flexible dish that can easily be adapted to suit different tastes.