Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein is an easy, flavorful dish that quickly becomes a weeknight favorite. It’s a satisfying alternative to takeout—just as tasty but healthier and more economical.
This Instant Pot Lo Mein delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s a one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, soft noodles, and crisp-tender vegetables in a savory sauce. Perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious without a lot of cleanup.
Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein
Chicken Lo Mein is a classic takeout favorite that’s easy to recreate at home. Most Chinese restaurants offer Lo Mein, but making it in the Instant Pot gives you control over ingredients and portion sizes while keeping prep quick.
What is Chicken Lo Mein?
Chicken Lo Mein features wheat egg noodles tossed with chicken and vegetables in a savory sauce. Variations include other proteins such as beef or shrimp; a combination of meats and seafood is often called Special Lo Mein.
The appeal lies in perfectly cooked noodles coated in sauce, and vegetables finished with slight crunch. This homemade version adds plenty of vegetables—carrots, celery, and scallions—for a nutrient-rich meal. The chicken stays juicy and tender while the sauce flavors everything evenly.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken and add extra vegetables or tofu. Use fresh vegetables or a bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables if that’s what you have on hand.
This Instant Pot method is especially convenient because noodles cook right in the pot with the other ingredients—no separate pasta pot required.
What Noodles are Used in Lo Mein?
Authentic Lo Mein noodles (sometimes labeled Chinese noodles) are ideal. These are wheat-based, egg noodles—not rice noodles. If you can’t find Lo Mein noodles, spaghetti is an acceptable substitute and will deliver a very similar texture.
What is the Difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?
Both Lo Mein and Chow Mein use wheat flour egg noodles and similar vegetables and proteins, but the cooking methods differ. Chow Mein is stir-fried, producing slightly crispier noodles. Lo Mein noodles are boiled or cooked in liquid then lightly coated in sauce, resulting in a softer, silkier texture.
Chicken Lo Mein Ingredients
Complete ingredient amounts are provided in the recipe card below.
- Chicken breast
- Lo Mein noodles
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Olive oil
- Rice vinegar
- Sugar or brown sugar
- Red chili flakes
- Minced garlic
- Minced ginger
- Chicken broth
- Celery
- Carrot
- Red bell pepper
- Scallions
- Water
How to Make Chicken Lo Mein
This Instant Pot recipe is incredibly straightforward—add the ingredients and let the pressure cooker do the work. Total time is under 30 minutes.
Step 1 – Make the Lo Mein Sauce
Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, red chili flakes, sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and chicken broth. If you have oyster sauce, add a tablespoon for extra depth (optional).
Step 2 – Add Chicken and Vegetables
Cut the chicken into small, even pieces so it cooks quickly. Place chicken, carrots, and celery into the Instant Pot. Reserve sliced red pepper and some scallions for later.
Step 3 – Add Sauce and Noodles
Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring to coat. Break the Lo Mein noodles in half and arrange them in a criss-cross pattern over the top—do not stir the noodles into the liquid.
Cooking in the Instant Pot
Secure the lid and set the valve to SEAL. Select Pressure Cook (High) and set the timer for 3 minutes. When the timer ends, perform a Quick Release. Open the lid and let the mixture sit for a few minutes so the sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in the reserved red pepper and half of the chopped scallions, then let sit 3–5 minutes until the pepper softens. Garnish with the remaining scallions and serve.
Other Ideas and Variations
Lo Mein is versatile. If you don’t have Lo Mein noodles, use spaghetti. Swap or add vegetables you have on hand: broccoli, snow peas, water chestnuts, cabbage, or bok choy work well. Frozen stir-fry mixes are a good shortcut.
Try different flavor tweaks like rice wine, extra soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or Shaoxing wine. For a vegetarian version, use tofu or extra vegetables in place of chicken. This recipe is also excellent for meal prep and adapts to many dietary preferences and alternative noodle types.
- Broccoli florets
- Snow peas
- Water chestnuts
- Cabbage or bok choy
- Beef
- Shrimp
- Scallops
Why Chicken Lo Mein is Healthy
A sensible serving of homemade Chicken Lo Mein is lower in calories and fat than many restaurant versions. This recipe emphasizes lean protein and vegetables while keeping added sugar and salt moderate, making it a balanced, satisfying meal.
How Many Calories in Takeout Chicken Lo Mein?
Restaurant takeout Lo Mein can be high in calories and fat—some servings approach 900 calories and high fat content. This Instant Pot recipe is a lighter alternative, with a typical serving around 300 calories (see recipe card for details).
Where to Buy Lo Mein Noodles
Lo Mein noodles are widely available at supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find them, ordinary spaghetti is an easy substitute.
Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
Chicken Lo Mein Recipe (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces (breast or tenderloin)
- 6 oz Lo Mein noodles
- 6 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp minced ginger
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 rib celery, sliced
- 2 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 chopped scallions for garnish
- 1/2 cup water to adjust consistency, if needed
Instructions
- Open the Instant Pot. Add all ingredients except the red pepper.
- Place chicken in first, then add carrots, celery, and scallions. Pour the sauce mixture over the top. Ensure chicken pieces are small so they cook through.
- Break the noodles and arrange them on top in a criss-cross pattern. Do not stir the noodles into the liquid.
- Close the lid and set the valve to SEAL. Press Pressure Cook (High) for 3 minutes.
- When the timer finishes, perform a Quick Release. Open the lid, stir gently, and let the sauce thicken for a few minutes.
- Stir in the red pepper and half the chopped scallions. Let sit 3–5 minutes until the pepper softens, then garnish with remaining scallions.
- Serve and enjoy. Recipe serves 2.
Nutrition
How to Reheat Lo Mein Noodles
Reheating Lo Mein well preserves texture and flavor. The Instant Pot (pot-in-pot method) and stovetop reheating produce better results than the microwave for many leftovers.
Reheat Lo Mein in the Instant Pot
Use a small heatproof dish or a pot-in-pot insert that fits inside the Instant Pot. Place the lo mein in the dish, set a trivet in the pot, add 1 cup water to the pot, place the dish on the trivet, seal the lid, and steam on the Steam setting for 5 minutes. Quick release, remove the dish, and serve.
Reheat Lo Mein on the Stovetop
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil. Add the lo mein and stir-fry, tossing constantly for a few minutes until heated through.
Reheat Lo Mein in the Microwave
Place lo mein in a microwave-safe container and cover loosely to allow ventilation. Microwave 3–5 minutes, stir, then microwave an extra minute if needed to ensure even heating.