Chicken Chow Fun is an easy rice noodle dish to make at home. The flavorful noodles are made with colorful veggies and super tender chicken making this the perfect weeknight meal!.
This recipe is inspired by my dad’s beloved beef chow fun recipe except I swapped the protein and added different veggies. This Chicken Chow Fun has wok hei, yet tastes lighter and healthier than the ones you get at restaurants. Nonetheless, the recipe is super delicious and uses less oil and MSG.
This is one of my favorite healthy noodles dishes on my blog. If you’re looking for more noodle recipes, check out my Delicious Noodle Dishes blog post.
Here’s a look at what you need to make this Chicken Chow Fun. There are two steps in making this dish. First we will marinate the chicken, then we will get all the ingredients together for a quick stir fry! The highlights are here but the full ingredient list and quantities of each are in the recipe card.
The chicken chow fun rice noodles will cook quickly, so get all you ingredients out as we cook all of it on high heat!.
Chicken Chow Fun is a beloved Cantonese stir-fried noodle dish that has become popular in Chinese restaurants worldwide. With its tender pieces of chicken, chewy noodles, crisp vegetables, and savory umami-rich sauce, it’s easy to see why this dish is a favorite for many. In this article, we’ll explore the origins, components, and techniques that define this iconic stir-fry.
A Brief History of Chicken Chow Fun
Chow Fun traces its origins to the Shahe region of Guangzhou, China. During times of rice shortage, innovative chefs found a way to make noodles from leftover rice starch. These flat and wide noodles, called “Shahe Fen” after their birthplace, formed the basis of chow fun recipes.
Chow fun changed over time from a simple dish made in a village kitchen to a popular dish served in busy cities in China and other countries. People in Hong Kong loved the beef versions, which were called “Beef Chow Fun” or “Gon Chow Ngau Ho.” Chicken Chow Fun came about as a lighter, less strong form of the dish.
The best chow fun uses “wok hei,” which is the smoky flavor that comes from cooking in a hot wok. However, many home cooks and restaurants have changed their methods to make delicious versions of this famous stir-fry.
Key Ingredients That Make Chicken Chow Fun
Several components come together to create the complex flavors and varied textures of Chicken Chow Fun
The Noodles: Ho Fun
The broad, chewy rice noodles known as ho fun are the undisputed star ingredient. Fresh ho fun has a smooth, delicate texture. Dried ho fun requires proper soaking and cooking but provides a comparable mouthfeel. The width of ho fun typically ranges from 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches wide.
The Protein: Chicken
Chicken, usually sliced or diced, contributes protein. Cutting the chicken into small, even pieces makes sure that it cooks all the way through. Soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, and ginger are often mixed with chicken before it is cooked. This makes the chicken more juicy and flavorful.
The Vegetables: A Colorful Medley
Bean sprouts, scallions, bok choy, and onions are some examples of vegetables that have a lot of different tastes, colors, and textures. Quick-cooking stir-fry friendly veggies that retain their crunchiness are preferred. The vegetable medley makes the noodles and chicken less heavy.
The Sauce: A Savory, Aromatic Foundation
The sauce ties everything together, coating the ingredients in savory umami richness. Typical chow fun sauce contains soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of sugar for a balancing sweetness. The sauce unifies the assortment of components into a cohesive dish.
Mastering the Stir-Fry Technique
For the best Chicken Chow Fun texture and flavor, proper stir-frying technique is key.
- Use very high heat and keep ingredients moving to avoid overcooking.
- Cook ingredients in batches, beginning with the protein then moving to veggies and noodles.
- Allow the noodles to char slightly before incorporating them.
- Combine everything with a careful tossing motion to evenly coat with sauce.
- Work quickly to maximize wok hei flavor (if cooking over a wok) and avoid sogginess.
The final product should amalgamate into a harmonious medley of tender chicken, chewy noodles, vibrant vegetables, and rich sauce.
Comparing Chicken Chow Fun to Other Noodle Stir-Fries
Chicken Chow Fun is part of a family of similar Chinese noodle dishes but has some defining characteristics:
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Chow Mein: Uses crispy fried egg noodles instead of soft rice noodles.
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Singapore Noodles: Featuring rice vermicelli seasoned with curry powder.
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Beef Chow Fun (Gon Chow Ngau Ho): Contains beef instead of chicken.
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Lo Mein: Made with thick, soft wheat-based egg noodles.
The broad rice noodles distinguish Chicken Chow Fun from these other stir-fried noodle dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Chow Fun
What are the best noodles to use?
Fresh ho fun rice noodles are ideal, but dried ho fun works as well. Prepare dried noodles by soaking and cooking before using.
What cuts of chicken work best?
Chicken breast provides a lean protein, but thigh meat can also be used. Cut chicken into small, uniform pieces to enable even cooking.
Can I swap in different vegetables?
Absolutely! Try bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, baby corn etc. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Can I make it vegetarian/vegan?
Yes! Substitute tofu, seitan, or extra vegetables for the chicken. Use vegetable broth and vegetarian oyster sauce.
What if I don’t have a wok?
A well-seasoned skillet or sauté pan works too. You may need to cook in smaller batches. Crank the heat as high as possible.
Can I prepare components ahead of time?
Yes! Marinate the chicken and pre-cut the vegetables in advance. Cook the noodles then store separately before combining everything to stir-fry.
How long does chow fun keep in the fridge?
Leftover chow fun will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.
Is Chicken Chow Fun gluten-free?
It can be if made with gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce and using rice noodles. Confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Bringing This Chinese Classic to Your Table
As this guide illustrates, Chicken Chow Fun is a wonderfully versatile and customizable noodle stir-fry that combines Chinese culinary tradition with global appeal. The medley of flavors, textures, and colors makes each bite enticing. Once you understand the basics, you can start improvising new versions to make this iconic dish your own. Grab a wok, gather some fresh ingredients, and savor the delicious experience of cooking up your own Chicken Chow Fun tonight!
How to Make Chicken Chow Fun
Step 1. Slice chicken breast thinly.
Step 2. To marinate the chicken, add sliced ginger, salt, sugar, olive oil, water and corn starch. Mix and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3. Chop your vegetables (white onion, bell pepper and celery) and prepare for stir fry.
Step 4. In a high heat pan, add some oil. When the pan is smoking, gently add your chicken in the pan. Be careful of the splatter.
Step 5. Saute chicken for 1-2 minutes until it’s half cooked. Take chicken out of the pan and set aside.
Step 6. Sauté the bean sprouts, celery, bell pepper, and onion for one minute in the same pan that has the juices left over.
Step 7. Add your noodles (remember to separate them beforehand) in the pan. Then, add soy sauce, dark soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir quickly and saute for 1 minute until noodles are softened. Try not to break the noodles a part.
Step 8. Add your chicken back in and mix together. The residual heat will finish cooking the chicken to ensure it is very tender! Garnish with green onions and enjoy while hot!.
- Separate the rice noodles by breaking them apart when cooking.
- If you stir the rice noodles too much while they’re cooking, they will fall apart. They will also be mushy and fall apart if you cook them for too long.
- To keep the chicken from getting too done, fry it first and then set it aside.
I found the chow fun noodles in the fresh noodle section (with pho, korean noodles, etc.) at my Asian market (99 ranch). The noodles are already cooked and are fresh! Before you fry the noodles, make sure you spread them apart so they don’t stick together when cooking. If you can’t find fresh noodles, you can use these type of package noodles. Keep in mind that you will you need to boil these noodles before stir frying. Cook the noodles until al dente according to package directions for the best chicken chow fun result!
You can serve as is! There’s carbs, vegetables and meat in this dish. If you want a larger spread, serve with Mongolian Beef or some Steamed Garlic Eggplant. For dessert, I recommend my mango mochi!.
Chow Fun uses wide, flat rice noodles, while Lo Mein uses wheat-based egg noodles. Chow Fun is often stir-fried with a smoky wok char.