Better Than Takeout Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein

Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein offers a delectable, family-friendly dinner solution that brings the vibrant flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout right to your kitchen. Imagine tender chicken, perfectly cooked noodles, and a medley of crisp-tender vegetables, all bathed in a savory, aromatic sauce, prepared effortlessly in a single pot. This incredibly convenient and quick recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, making it a standout among easy Instant Pot recipes and a staple for any Ninja Foodi or pressure cooker owner.

Effortless Lo Mein in Your Pressure Cooker or Ninja Foodi

Whether you own an Instant Pot, a Crockpot Express, or a Ninja Foodi, this recipe is incredibly adaptable to any electric pressure cooker. The beauty of pressure cooking lies in its ability to infuse flavors deeply and cook meals rapidly, making it ideal for dishes like lo mein. While we provide a fantastic recipe for a light yet incredibly flavorful lo mein sauce below, feel free to use your favorite store-bought sauce if you have one you adore.

This quick and satisfying one-pot meal is incredibly versatile. While we’ve added succulent chicken to our version, you can easily substitute it with thin strips of beef, shrimp, or even make it completely vegetarian by omitting meat and adding extra vegetables or tofu. The traditional vegetables listed below are always a good choice, but don’t hesitate to customize with your family’s favorites. Enjoying your beloved Asian restaurant flavors at home has never been more affordable or convenient.

Creating the Ultimate Chicken Lo Mein in Your Instant Pot

Imagine this: simply dice some chicken, quickly whisk together your homemade sauce, and in just 4 minutes, you’ll have perfectly tender noodles. Packed with an array of colorful vegetables, this dinner is truly a showstopper – a must-try for any home cook! This recipe is also fantastic for utilizing leftovers; if you have pre-cooked chicken or another protein, it works wonderfully as the main component, saving you even more time.

Forgot to defrost your chicken? No problem! You can easily cook frozen chicken directly in the Instant Pot, then shred it and incorporate it as directed below. If beef is more to your liking, ensure it’s sliced thinly to guarantee quick and even cooking. Marinating beef in teriyaki sauce beforehand can add an extra layer of flavor. Briefly sauté the beef until the exterior is no longer pink, then proceed with the recipe.

For those seeking a plant-based option, feel free to skip animal products entirely – this recipe is wonderfully versatile! If traditional wide lo mein noodles are hard to find in your local store, they are readily available online. As a substitute, spaghetti noodles can work well; simply break them into thirds and increase the pressure cooking time to 8 minutes, keeping all other steps the same. Avoid using egg noodles as they tend to become mushy under pressure.

A crucial tip for success with the noodles is how you arrange them in the pot. After breaking them into smaller pieces (if they aren’t already short), place them in a criss-cross pattern, minimizing overlap as much as possible. This ensures they cook evenly and prevents clumping. We’ve mastered several Asian Instant Pot dinner recipes, including our famous Instant Pot pulled pork with its incredible homemade sauce!

Cooking chicken in a pressure cooker is incredibly effective and consistently yields tender, juicy results. We’ve explored various methods, and here are our top choices. While you could technically cook bone-in chicken with skin, the cooking time would vary significantly and wouldn’t be accurate for this recipe. For a dish reminiscent of an Instant Pot stir fry, dicing the meat into smaller, uniform pieces is essential for quick and thorough cooking, just as you see here. Simply choose your preferred chicken cut:

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Lo Mein

Crafting a delicious Instant Pot Lo Mein starts with fresh, quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the dish’s signature flavor profile and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to create this fantastic one-pot meal:

• Chicken: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Both work beautifully when cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and easy eating.
• Sesame Oil: This is a non-negotiable for authentic Asian flavor. Its distinct nutty aroma provides a wonderful base for sautéing.
• Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a pungent, aromatic depth that is fundamental to the lo mein sauce. We love a generous amount!
• Fresh Ginger: Finely minced ginger contributes a warm, spicy, and slightly sweet undertone, balancing the savory elements of the dish.
• Wide Lo Mein Noodles: These are the traditional choice and best for capturing the sauce. Look for brands like Ka-Me for authentic results.
• Vegetables: A colorful mix not only adds nutrition but also texture. Common choices include thinly sliced cabbage (red or green), julienned carrots, thinly sliced green onions, and tender snow peas. Feel free to add other favorites like bell peppers or mushrooms.
• Soy Sauce: The cornerstone of the savory, umami flavor in Asian cuisine. Choose low-sodium if preferred.
• Chicken Broth or Vegetable Stock: Provides the necessary liquid for pressure cooking the noodles and forms the base of the sauce.
• Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, giving it that desirable glossy finish and rich consistency.

With these ingredients prepped, your meal will be ready in under 30 minutes total, offering a delightful and satisfying dining experience for the whole family.

Essential Tips for Instant Pot Lo Mein Success

Achieving perfectly cooked lo mein in your pressure cooker hinges on a few crucial details, primarily concerning the noodles and liquid. The most important aspect is ensuring the correct ratio of pasta to liquid and that the noodles are adequately submerged. Without enough moisture, they will remain stiff and undercooked. Therefore, breaking them into smaller, manageable pieces is often necessary to ensure they absorb liquid properly and become tender.

Noodle Substitutions: What if You Don’t Have Lo Mein Noodles?

If wide lo mein noodles are unavailable, don’t fret! Many home cooks have successfully used spaghetti noodles as an alternative. However, because spaghetti has a different texture and density, I recommend increasing the pressure cooking time by about 4 minutes to ensure they become tender. For best results, break the spaghetti strands into thirds before adding them to the pot; this allows for better liquid absorption and more even cooking.

Achieving the Perfect Lo Mein Sauce Thickness

Cornstarch is our secret ingredient for thickening the lo mein sauce, giving it that luxurious, glossy consistency characteristic of restaurant-style dishes. If you have dietary restrictions or need a gluten-free option, you can certainly omit the cornstarch, or consider using arrowroot powder as a fantastic alternative. While this final thickening step isn’t strictly necessary for taste, it significantly enhances the sauce’s texture and overall appeal, making for a richer, more satisfying meal.

As mentioned, if you find yourself with only regular spaghetti noodles on hand, they will work. Just remember to adjust the timing. Standard spaghetti typically requires around 8 minutes of pressure cooking to achieve that tender, enjoyable texture.

Step-by-Step: Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Get ready to create a sensational one-pot meal that’s bursting with flavor and incredibly simple to make. Follow these easy steps to bring delicious Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein to your dinner table:

1. Sauté the Chicken: Begin by adding sesame oil, diced chicken, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Select the “Sauté” function and cook until the chicken pieces are lightly browned and no longer pink on the outside. Once cooked, turn off the Instant Pot.
2. Layer the Vegetables and Noodles: Next, add your prepared vegetables over the chicken. Then, carefully break your lo mein noodles (or spaghetti, if using) into thirds and arrange them on top of the vegetables in a criss-cross pattern, trying to avoid too much overlap.
3. Prepare and Add the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, soy sauce, water, and chicken stock until well combined and smooth. Pour this flavorful sauce mixture evenly over the noodles and vegetables in the pot. Gently push the noodles down with a spoon if necessary, ensuring they are as submerged in the liquid as possible. *Important: Do NOT stir the noodles in with the other ingredients at this stage, as this can lead to clumping and uneven cooking.*
4. Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your pressure cooker and turn the pressure release valve to the “Sealing” position. Set your Instant Pot to cook on “High Pressure” for just 4 minutes.
5. Quick Release and Serve: Once the cooking time has finished, perform a quick pressure release (QR) by carefully moving the valve to the “Venting” position. Once the float valve drops, remove the lid, stir everything together gently, and watch as your perfect lo mein comes to life!

Every component, from the chicken to the noodles and vegetables, will be cooked to perfection in this remarkably short amount of time. If you adore this simple and quick recipe, you’ll undoubtedly love these other easy Ninja Foodi recipes we have available.

For a complete meal, serve your lo mein alongside some steamed broccoli florets. It’s best not to add the broccoli into the pot at the same time as the noodles, as this tender veggie cooks much faster than the pasta. The instructions above are applicable for any brand of pressure cooker. Jump to the full recipe card below for precise measurements.

Low-Carb Twist: Spaghetti Squash Lo Mein

For a fantastic low-carb alternative, you can completely eliminate the traditional noodles. Simply cook the chicken, vegetables, and sauce mixture for 4 minutes as instructed. In parallel, prepare Instant Pot spaghetti squash until tender. Once cooked, scrape the strands from the squash and serve them together with your flavorful lo mein mixture. It’s a delicious and healthy twist!

Storing and Reheating Your Lo Mein

Yes, Instant Pot Lo Mein makes for wonderful leftovers! To keep it at its best, especially if it contains pasta, aim to coat the noodles with as much sauce as possible to prevent them from sticking together. Allow your leftovers to cool down to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

While still delicious, the texture can change slightly the longer it sits. For the absolute best experience, we recommend reheating and enjoying your lo mein within 24-48 hours. This ensures the noodles retain their ideal consistency and flavor.

The Best Way to Reheat Lo Mein

To revive your leftover lo mein to its original glory, start by adding a small splash of broth, leftover sauce, or a bit of soy sauce or teriyaki to the top. This extra moisture helps to unstick the noodles and prevent them from drying out. Toss everything together gently. Microwave for about 45 seconds, then stir, and continue microwaving in 30-45 second intervals until it’s warmed through to your liking. Enjoy it as is, or serve it over a bed of steamed rice. Reheating leftovers is a fantastic way to enjoy a second “free meal” and minimize food waste!

Discover More Easy Asian Instant Pot Recipes

If you loved the simplicity and flavor of this Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of Asian-inspired Instant Pot recipes offers even more delicious ways to enjoy your pressure cooker. Explore these other family favorites:

• Our Instant Pot Sesame Chicken features a rich, homemade sauce that pairs perfectly with rice or alongside your lo mein.
• Experience incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness with our Instant Pot Teriyaki Ribs. They’re a crowd-pleaser every time.
• This Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken from Jo Cooks looks absolutely delicious and is next on our menu!
• Find even more diverse and delightful Instant Pot chicken recipes to add to your repertoire!