The best healthy chicken lo mein recipe (237 calories)! It’s easy, quick, and so good you won’t need to order Chinese takeout!
There are three things that I start to crave if I go too long without eating them: cheeseburgers, pizza, and Chinese food. I’m wishing upon finishing that last sentence that at least one of those foods had been interesting.
The cheeseburger craving always gets knocked out with a shack stack at Shake Shack. (Don’t ever tell me Five Guys is better; it’s not and never will be). The pizza craving is almost too easy—come up on any street corner in New York City and you’re sure to find a good slice. Sad that I know this? Maybe. True? Yes. But the Chinese food craving…this one is more of a challenge to satisfy. It has to be eaten with Daniel and it has to be at a buffet.
When I met Daniel twelve years ago, I quickly learned that his favorite food in the entire world was Chinese. And he quickly learned not to order it with me, because I’d eat all the lo mein and all the crab rangoon. My tastes are very, very refined.
Today, we’re kind-of sort-of obsessed with Chinese buffets. Like, in-a-strip-mall, rethink-those-button-pants buffets. Where else can you get bottomless lo mein, crab rangoon, a mysterious yet delightful “banana” pudding, and crack open your fortune at the end? Nowhere.
But there’s no fooling ourselves at buffets. Even the vegetables are saucy and oily and sticky-sweet. So we own it: it’s a gut-buster. But every once in a while–like once every month or two–that’s so, so better than fine. Any more often than that, and we know we’re turning a good thing bad.
To keep me feeling satisfied between jaunts to our favorite Chinese spots, I make a healthier—but seriously delicious—version at home. The sauce is salty-sweet with just a touch of smokiness from toasted sesame oil and, shhh, a little barbecue sauce. To keep things light and low in calories, I loaded it with veggies and swapped traditional noodles for Shirataki noodles, which have so few calories you would be shocked (20 calories for a whole package!). If you’re not interested in trying these tofu noodles, or you’ve had them and they just weren’t for you, try spiralizing a summer squash or zucchini for just as few calories.
Friends, I hope you try this. I’m telling you, it will not disappoint :)
Easy Healthy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional, but it does aid in thickening the sauce
- 2 8- ounce packages House Foods Shirataki spaghetti noodles or 2 large zucchini, spiralized
- 3 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into thin strips
- 3 stalks celery very thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 1 medium red bell pepper very thinly sliced
- 5 scallions sliced on the diagonal
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, barbecue sauce, sesame oil, clove of garlic, brown sugar, and corn starch. Set aside.
- Rinse and drain the Shirataki noodles well. Press them dry with a paper towel to get as much moisture out as possible. This will help to ensure the sauce sticks to them and doesn’t slip off.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate and wipe out the pan with paper towels.
- Return the pan to medium-high heat (turning it down if it begins to smoke) and add the remaining teaspoon of oil. Add the celery, bell pepper, and scallions, and cook, stirring frequently, until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Add the Shirataki noodles and the soy sauce mixture, tossing to coat all ingredients well, and let the pan cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
This looks delicious! I’m thinking I’ll have to pick up some shirataki noodles next week!
gurllll. I feel you on the pizza places in NYC – I’m fairly positive I’ve gained fifteen pounds in the last six months after moving here just from SMELLING IT. this looks AMAZING and I have all the stuff I need in my fridge…. dinner tonight? I think so.
My husbands favorite food is Chinese–he doesn’t care how low-brow it is, at all. I’m pretty sure it made up half of his college diet. I love the idea of doing this lo-mein with spiralized zucchini!
It’s nice to have you back! I’m definitely trying this one soon. I’m down 10 lbs on WW and love your recipes.
Thanks so much for this! I’ve been looking for a really good and simple lo mein. I think our grocery store in backwoods MS even sells the shirataki noodles! (finally) I’m def. gonna hafta try this one out. Love me some lo mein. I like it when it’s full of cabbage, too.
Chinese buffets and Panda Express orange chicken are two of my greatest food weaknesses. I’ve tried making a healthier orange chicken at home and it’s just not the same. It has to be breaded, sticky and tangy/spicy. ;-)
I love Chinese food, but have not tried Shiratake noodles. Sounds like a good option. Love your book which I recently read. It was written from the heart and so honest.
Hi Andie!
I just want to say that I made your recipe for dinner tonight and it was AWESOME!
It was my first time cooking and tasting Shirataki spaghetti noodles. I was a little nervous (I’m not usually a big fan of tofu products) but it was perfect! The texture of the shirataki noodles was a similar to that of ramen noodles, which I LOVE.
This recipe will definitely become a regular on my weekly menu! Thanks for the recipe and for your wonderful blog!
Pingback: Can’t wait to make…
Made this just now and it really satisfied a craving. Definitely becoming part of my repertoire. Thank you.
I’ve been wanting to try these noodles after reading about them on DietBet but didn’t think I could pull off a swap out on my own and get it past the family. This recipe matched my fridge contents (except for the noodles) so I took a chance and bought them. They are AWESOME and your sauce is too. Their texture was like ramen and no one commented about anything being different. I got these noodles by a pasta fanatic and a tofu hater. Thanks for the great recipe idea. I see more lo mein stir frys in my future.
Oh my gosh what a WIN! Thanks so much for reporting back, Diane! I’m so happy to hear it :)
I was wondering how you got this under 250 calories! Shirataki noodles left a bad impression on me the first time I tried cooking them…but I might try again!
Also nothing wrong with unpretentious cravings :)
:) I say give them another shot
Thanks Meaghan!
Andie!
I made this last night and it was amazing! I was not sure how I would feel about the tofu noodles but they were perfect…I had to tell my husband that this was a serving for 4 because he kept putting more on this plate!!!! Making your Thai Basil meatballs tonight! I think I am going to make one of your recipes every night..maybe I should start a blog about your blog lol. Your website has been a Godsend for many reasons but it’s also so much fun for a struggling foodie like me:) Thanks!
Ah this made my day! Thank you Carol! So happy you tried it :)
Pingback: Friday Favorites - Key Ingredients
I didn’t know what shirataki noodles were until I went to the store. I hesitantly put them in my cart and put all my trust in this recipe. Lets be honest they looked nasty! However I was pleasantly surprised. This was so yummy I had a hard time not eating all 4 servings by myself. My husband is hard to please and he kept asking if we could break out the leftovers. Great job with this recipe.
Ah I’m so so happy to hear this! Thanks Miriam!! xo
How have I never tried these noodles? As a pasta lover, they could be my salvation. I’m not holding out much hope in finding them in my new town (3 grocery store employees, including the manager had never heard of tahini) but I will search today and if not….there’s always mail order!
Greta-yes give them a shot! They’re a little slicker than you’re used to with pasta, and not as firm, but honestly, for 40 calories for a whole bag? I think it’s a great swap!
:)
Pingback: Chinese Takeout: Homemade & Healthy - A Glittered Life
I made this today with Shrimp as I didn’t have Chicken on hand. It is delicious. My 11 year old did not even know this was not regular pasta!
Thank you so much Debbie!! This made my day :)
Pingback: Sunday Meal Prep: April 10, 2016 - Nymph In The Woods
This is a great recipe! I doubled up on the ingredients, so I could have leftovers. I also added mushrooms and used angel hair pasta.
Pingback: Three Favorite Recipes – Casady Rae
I found this recipe on Pinterest today. I must admit to streamlining by using frozen stir fry veggies, a Baggie of previously cooked chicken tenders and some leftover angel hair noodles I had stashed in the freezer. But the sauce was fantastic, and as much as we like stir fry and chow mein, we had never made LO mein before. It was delicious! Thanks for the inspiration and the recipe.
Pingback: Food Series: Dinner Delights
Pingback: Zucchini Chicken "Lo Mein" Recipe - Project Meal Plan
Pingback: Piyaar Khaan Leyi – I – Sanjeet Scribbles
Pingback: Piyaar Khaan Leyi – II – Sanjeet Scribbles
Pingback: Healthy Chicken Pasta Recipes - Whole Food | Real Families
If you are interested in topic: earn money online free
by clicking ads uk athletics – you should read about Bucksflooder first
Pingback: One Pan Southwest Chicken Skillet - Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Pingback: Piyaar Khaan Leyi – III – Sanjeet Scribbles
Pingback: my top 10 recipes for a quick and easy meal prep! - Nymph In The Woods
Pingback: Healthy Chicken Pasta Recipes - My Nourished Home
Pingback: 50 Quick and Healthy Dinner Recipes (Easy!) - DIY Joy
wow, really authentic looking recipe, love all of these ingredients! Great flavors too, thank you for this recipe!
Great recipe
How much sodium on a low salt heart diet I love Chinese food but now I have to make my own
Just wanted.to know how much is a serving.I like to count calorie. Thanks a bunch
I’m having trouble finding these dang noodles!! Can anyone help me out? I’ve looked at Kroger and fresh market with no luck.
thank you for slimming this otherwise high cal recipe down! love all of these flavors and love that it is low calorie and will definitely take the zucchini option, thank you for the suggestion!
We need a lot more instghis like this!
My son is gluten free so I will be using the rice version of the shiritaki noodles. I am assuming you cook the noodles ahead of time or do you literally just soak them?
this looks yummy and easy to make but you don’t put the sodium contents. I’m on a low sodium diet. This might be healthy foe some but I’m not sure it will be for me. Thank you
I know it sounds silly, but am I cooking the noodles before hand, or just rinsing them?
I would like to add more veggies to this. Any suggestions on what I could add?
Pingback: 25 Healthy Dinner Recipes Under 600 Calories You'll Love
Pingback: 50 Easy Healthy Chicken Recipes
Pingback: 25 Healthy Dinner Recipes Under 600 Calories To Try Today – Homesteadrr
Pingback: 35 Easy And Quick Healthy Dinner Recipes in 2019 – Lifestyle & Fun
Pingback: Friday Favorites - My Bizzy Kitchen
Thanks to you for sharing this amazing Easy Healthy Chicken Lo Mein Recipe , will love to try this one .
Pingback: Friday Favorites | My Bizzy Kitchen