15-Minute Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein (Quick, Flavorful & Easy)

Introduction

Craving Panda Express-style chow mein at home? This 15-minute homemade version delivers stir-fried noodles with tender vegetables, savory sauce, and optional protein, all in under 20 minutes.

Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep, this chow mein is full of flavor, slightly sweet, and perfectly saucy. Plus, you can customize it with chicken, beef, shrimp, or keep it vegetarian.

15-Minute Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein

Quick, flavorful, and customizable 🍜✨ — 15-Minute Homemade Panda Express Chow Mein delivers restaurant-style stir-fried noodles with veggies and protein in under 20 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 2 bowls

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

Noodles & Vegetables

• 8 oz chow mein noodles or spaghetti
• 1 cup cabbage thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup carrots julienned
• 1/2 cup onion sliced
• 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced

Sauce

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce or vegetarian alternative
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 cup cooked chicken, beef, or shrimp optional
• green onions chopped for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet or wok
• Pot for noodles
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs or spatula

Method

 

1. Cook chow mein noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions, carrots, and cabbage, stir-fry 3–4 minutes.
3. Add optional cooked protein and stir to combine.
4. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Pour over vegetables (and protein), toss to coat.
5. Add noodles to skillet, toss to coat with sauce, and heat 2–3 minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Ready in just 15 minutes
✅ Customizable with any protein
✅ Packed with veggies for crunch and flavor
✅ Authentic-tasting, restaurant-style sauce
✅ Easy weeknight or lunch option

Ingredients

• 8 oz chow mein noodles (or spaghetti noodles as substitute)
• 1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup onion, sliced
• 1–2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian alternative)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• Optional: 1 cup cooked chicken, beef, or shrimp
• Green onions, chopped for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook Noodles

• Boil chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. Stir-Fry Vegetables

• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Add garlic, onions, carrots, and cabbage. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.

3. Add Protein (Optional)

• If using cooked chicken, beef, or shrimp, add to the pan and stir to combine with vegetables.

4. Make the Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Pour over vegetables (and protein) and toss to coat.

5. Combine Noodles

• Add cooked noodles to the skillet and toss until evenly coated with sauce. Heat through for 2–3 minutes.

6. Serve

• Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Vegetarian option: Omit meat and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas.
• Noodle swap: Use rice noodles or spaghetti if chow mein noodles are unavailable.
• Sauce tweak: Add a dash of hoisin or chili sauce for extra flavor.
• Meal prep: Store in airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in a skillet or microwave.

Storage

• Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat in a skillet for best texture.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 310
• Carbs: 45g
• Protein: 15g
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g