CDKitchen, it's what's cooking online!
  • contact the CDKitchen helpdesk

Slow Cooker Chicken Chow Mein With Water Chestnuts And Bean Sprouts

  • print recipe
  • save recipe
  • add photo
  • add review
  • #21309

A tasty slow cooked chow mein made with chicken, carrots, green onion, celery, water chestnuts, and bean sprouts.


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  2-5 hrs
Rating: 5/5

10 reviews

ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch pieces
4 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
4 green onions, white and green parts sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup light soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 clove garlic, crushed
4 ounces sliced water chestnuts
8 ounces bean sprouts
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water

directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Transfer the chicken to the crock pot with a slotted spoon.

Add the carrots, green onions, celery, broth, sugar, soy sauce, crushed red pepper, ginger, garlic, and water chestnuts to the crock pot and stir gently. Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir in the bean sprouts during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Turn the crock pot to high heat. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the liquid. Cover the crock pot and cook for 15-30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Serve the chicken chow mein over rice or noodles.


crock pot notes

Crock pots/slow cookers all heat differently. There is no standard among manufacturers. Cooking times are suggested guidelines based on our testing. Please adjust cooking times and temps to work with your brand and model of slow cooker.

recipe tips


You can marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before cooking for more flavor.

To add a spicy kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, increase the amount of cornstarch and water mixture or add a cornstarch slurry during the cooking process.

Customize the dish by adding your favorite stir-fry sauce or seasoning blend.

To prevent the bean sprouts from becoming soggy, add them towards the end of the cooking time.

For a low-carb option, serve the chicken chow mein over cauliflower rice or zoodles.

To add a nutty flavor, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts on top before serving.

common recipe questions


What is the purpose of adding sugar to the chicken chow mein?

The sugar helps to balance out the flavors in the dish by providing a hint of sweetness.

Can I use bone-in chicken pieces instead of boneless chicken breasts?

You can use bone-in chicken pieces, but boneless chicken breasts are preferred for quicker and easier preparation. It will taste the same, it's just more work.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?

You can substitute the chicken with tofu or a meat alternative, such as seitan or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Can I use a different type of soy sauce?

Yes, you can use regular soy sauce if you prefer a saltier flavor, or tamari for a gluten-free option. You can also use liquid aminos, such as Bragg's

What can I use instead of water chestnuts?

If you don't have water chestnuts, you can substitute with sliced bamboo shoots for a similar crunch and texture.

Can I add other vegetables to the chow mein?

You are welcome to customize the dish by adding bell peppers, snow peas, mushrooms, or any other vegetables you enjoy.

How should I serve the chicken chow mein?

Serve the chicken chow mein over steamed white or brown rice, or toss it with cooked noodles for a heartier meal. You can also stir in crispy chow mein noodles for added crunch.

How should I store and reheat leftover chicken chow mein?

Store leftover chicken chow mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Can I freeze chicken chow mein?

You can freeze chicken chow mein in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.


nutrition data

236 calories, 4 grams fat, 19 grams carbohydrates, 31 grams protein per serving.
Show full nutritional data (including Weight Watcher's Points ®, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins, and diabetic exchanges)


share on facebook share on twitter share on pinterest


reviews & comments

  1. walker86 REVIEW:

    This recipe was easy and Very good. only thing I will change next time is add the onions toward the end than to have them fully cooked..

  2. Guest Foodie REVIEW:

    I’ve had this recipe saved for a while so tonight I decided to make it. We really liked it!! I made it on the stove and it worked great. I’ll be making this again!

  3. judewoman REVIEW:

    It was as easy as pie. When I got to where I needed to add the cornstarch, I took everything out of the crock pot, put into a pan on the stove, added the rest of the chicken broth in the can, also used a half cup of water, and proceeded with my gravy. I like a lot of gravy for a dish like this. My husband and I liked it a lot.

  4. Nancichris REVIEW:

    Very easy to make. I cut up a baked chicken that I bought at the store & cooked everything on the stove. The only thing I wished I hadn't added was the red pepper flakes. It was too spicy for us. But I'll make it again without it.

  5. Cleeo2 REVIEW:

    Good and easy. I don't like the crockpot for cooking, but it worked for this and was ready when I got out of work. I recommend stirring half way through because some of the chicken pieces sticking up above the sauce were brown. Add the water chestnuts half way too as the sauce took up a lot of the chaulkiness from them and maybe adding them later will lessen this. A Keeper for workdays.

  6. Junebug REVIEW:

    This was so easy and soooo Good!!

  7. Junebug REVIEW:

    This is so Good!!

  8. McWilliam Karen REVIEW:

    This is a great recipe thank you.

  9. Cheri REVIEW:

    No crockpot needed. Just do everything on top of the stove. Mine was delicious !!! Will add to my repertoire !!

  10. delta52 REVIEW:

    Simple and very good, I used country style pork as the meat (what I had on hand)Added mushrooms and did not cook quite as long as called for. Will make this again..

About CDKitchen

Online since 1995, CDKitchen has grown into a large collection of delicious recipes created by home cooks and professional chefs from around the world. We are all about tasty treats, good eats, and fun food. Join our community of 200K+ members - browse for a recipe, submit your own, add a review, or upload a recipe photo.