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15 Minute Sesame Garlic Chicken Lo Mein. Saucy, Chinese-inspired lo mein noodles stir-fried with end-of-summer vegetables, chicken, and a spicy-sweet garlic hoisin sauce. Mix up the sauce, cook the chicken and veggies, toss in the noodles, and pour everything together — dinner done! Quick, flavorful, and an easy one-pan meal everyone will love.
I know I talk a lot about childhood food memories, but honestly, those simple dishes are still some of my favorites. My dad was (and still is) a very uncomplicated cook. He’s not the type to run out to the store for one missing ingredient — no way. Instead, he just works with whatever’s in the fridge.
One thing he’s mastered is a good family chicken stir fry. This time of year, he’d make it at least once a week with whatever was flourishing in his garden — bell peppers, broccoli, fresh basil. It was simple, colorful, and always so delicious. Dad always served his stir fry over rice, but I’ve swapped in lo mein noodles here…and honestly, I think they’re even better. My mom agrees — she loves a good noodle!
Here are the details (you’ll love how fast this is!)
Ingredients
- Lo Mein or spaghetti noodles
- tamari – or use soy sauce
- hoisin sauce
- toasted sesame oil
- ground chicken
- garlic
- chili flakes
- a big bowl of stir-fry vegetables – zucchini/bell peppers/broccoli/carrot
- toasted sesame seeds
- fresh basil and sliced green onions
Special Tools
You need a big skillet for these noodles.
Steps
Step 1: Cook the noodles
Cook the noodles according to the package directions, as each brand will vary a little. I usually boil mine just like spaghetti — and honestly, spaghetti works here too if that’s what you have!
Step 2: Make the sauce
While the noodles are cooking, mix together the tamari, hoisin sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Add a splash of water to thin it out. That’s it — nothing fancy!
Sometimes I like to mix up my own hoisin sauce using tamari, honey, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, white miso paste, Chinese five-spice, and black pepper. If you feel like going the extra step, it’s so flavorful.
Step 3: Cook the chicken and vegetables
In a large skillet, cook the chicken with garlic, chili flakes, and butter until browned. Add in your veggies — use whatever you love most. I went with shaved zucchini and red bell peppers. Cook until the chicken is fully done and the vegetables have softened.
Step 4: Toss it all together
Pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies, then add the noodles. Toss everything together and cook for just a couple of minutes until the sauce coats the noodles, chicken, and vegetables. Be careful not to overcook — this part happens fast!
Serve the lo mein in bowls topped with lots of toasted sesame seeds, fresh basil, and green onions.
This whole dish comes together in about 15–20 minutes, depending on how much chopping you need to do. Using ground chicken makes it even quicker, and, in my opinion, yummier too since the sauce coats every bite. So simple, so delicious. A great weeknight dinner for back-to-school season!
Looking for other quick noodle recipes? Try these:
30 Minute Creamy Turmeric Chicken and Noodles
Saucy Garlic Butter Shrimp with Coconut Milk and Rice Noodles
20 Minute Red Curry Basil Garlic Oil Noodles
20 Minute Korean Beef Sesame Noodles
Lastly, if you make these 15 Minute Sesame Garlic Chicken Lo Mein, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
15 Minute Sesame Garlic Chicken Lo Mein
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 579 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry lo mein or spaghetti
- 1/2 cup tamari/soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 6 cloves garlic, sliced or chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- black pepper
- 3 cups mixed stir fry veggies (carrots/zucchini/bell peppers/broccoli)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil baby leaves and chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1. Cook the noodles according to package directions. 2. Combine the tamari/soy sauce, hoisin sauce, toasted sesame oil, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. 3. Cook the chicken, garlic, and chili flakes with butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season with black pepper. Add the mixed stir fry veggies and cook another 2-3 minutes. Pour in the sauce. Bring to a low simmer. Add the noodles and cook until the sauce coats the chicken and noodles.4. Serve the noodles warm, topped with sesame seeds, baby basil leaves, and chopped green onions.
This post was originally published on August 25, 2025
I made this tonight and it was great. Everyone ate it with no complaints and I don’t even have any leftovers 🙂
I’ve made this twice and I could definitely eat once a week. I used fresh veggies diced small and I can’t thank you enough for this delicious recipe. I love your dishes!!!
Hey Kathi,
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback after trying this recipe, I’m happy to hear it was a win! Have the best weekend:)
This was delicious and super quick for a weeknight meal. I used rice noodles because it was all I had and it turned out great!
Hey Katherine,
So kind of you to try this and leave feedback, glad to hear it was a hit! Have the best day!
Very good! Will be making again. All the recipes I have made of Tieghan’s have turned out well. Nice to have a quick and easy meal to throw in the rotation.
Hey Somer, So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed! Thanks for making it and your comment. Happy Sunday! xx
Although I had some doubts in the beginning due to several negative comments, we really liked this and thought it turned out well. I basically followed the directions, except for sauteeing my own “stir fry vegetables” (red and yellow peppers, 1 sliced carrot and 1 large sliced zucchini) in 3 tbsp. butter before cooking the chicken since I wasn’t impressed by what I saw in the supermarket. By using low sodium soy sauce it wasn’t too salty, and since the sauce was fairly watery, it was enough for a pound of pasta. I see you fixed the directions to show what to do with the sesame oil (I had to search for that in the narrative!), so all is good, and I’ll definitely make this one again.
Hi Helen,
Awesome! Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! Have a wonderful weekend! xx
This is delicious! I made it tonight for dinner and my husband said it’s the best lo mein he’s ever had! Thank you!
Hey Laura, Wonderful! I’m so glad to hear your family enjoyed this recipe, thanks for giving it a try! xT
Made this today, and as all your recipes are it is a keeper!!! Love, love this so much. Thank you!!!
Hey Kathi, Thanks so much for giving this dish a try and your feedback, love to hear it turned out well for you! xT
We thought it was really tasty and not at all too salty. Used lower sodium soy sauce.
Hey Madonna, Thanks so much for making this recipe, I’m so glad to hear it was a hit! Have a great day! xT
Wonderful tasty meal. Wasn’t salty. I used sodium reduced butter, soy sauce and hoisin sauce. I didn’t use frozen vegetables.
Thanks so much, Gloria! So glad this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Happy September:)
Could not eat. It was SSSSOOOO salty!
Hi Melissa,
So sorry to hear this was so salty for you! If you want to make again, I would recommend using low sodium soy sauce. Please let me know if I can help in any other way!
Easy and delicious! Not too salty for us but I did use low sodium soy sauce. Thanks for another simple and delicious recipe!
Hey Sherri,
Love to hear it! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and sharing your input! Have the best week ahead! xT
This was a little too salty. How can I change that
Hi Tammy! If the lo mein came out too salty, try using low sodium soy or hoisin sauce next time and taste the sauce before adding it to the noodles. To fix an already salty dish, add a splash of water or unsalted broth to dilute, then balance with a little sugar or honey and a splash of rice vinegar or lemon juice. This will mellow the salt and brighten the flavor! 🙂 xT
This was a salt bomb. Not enough sauce. Just tasted like salty noodles.
Hey Ken! I am SO sorry you didn’t enjoy these noodles, thank you for the input! xT
This was easy and delicious. I doubled the recipe but kept the noodles to 1lb. It could have used a little more sauce, but I’ll add that next time. 100% would make again!
Hey Angela! Thank you so much for trying out this recipe! So glad you loved it! And you can never go wrong with extra sauce haha! xT
Loved this one! Quick, easy to prep, easy to change out veggies based on what’s in the fridge – great weeknight meal. Even my husband said, “this one is GOOD!” I also used less lo mein (box I bought only had 10oz, oops) and it turned out great!
Hi Jenn! LOVE to hear you enjoyed this lo mein! Have a beautiful day, thanks again for trying out the recipe! 🙂 xT