Name: Skinny Chicken Chow Mein: Better and Healthier than Takeout
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces dry whole grain spaghetti, (see shopping tips); 2 cups celery, (sliced on the diagonally); 2 cups onion, (diced); 5 cups cabbage, (shredded); 2 cups cooked chicken breast, (diced (skin removed)); Cooking spray; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce ((6 tablespoons)); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons water; 2 cloves garlic, (minced); 2 teaspoons ginger ((from a jar), see shopping tips); Fresh ground black pepper, (to taste)

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This recipe was a huge hit at my house! I think it might even taste better than the yummy chow mein at Panda Express. One difference from Panda’s, I’ve added chicken to it. Turn it into a vegetarian dish by leaving the chicken out (see vegetarian skinny facts below). But the biggest difference, my skinny chow mein has much healthier ingredients so you can actually enjoy every bite guilt-free!!! Each serving has 327 calories and 5 grams fat. I’m sure you’ll receive two thumbs up from the whole family!

Why You’ll Love Skinny Chicken Chow Mein

A Skinny Chicken Chow Mein inspired by Panda Express offers a satisfying and flavorful meal without the calorie overload. This lighter version retains the beloved combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and savory sauce, making it a delicious and nutritious choice. By focusing on fresh ingredients and mindful portion sizes, you can enjoy this classic dish while supporting your health goals.

Ingredients for Skinny Chicken Chow Mein

Core Ingredients:

Whole grain spaghetti: Provides a base for the dish, offering a good source of complex carbohydrates and fiber compared to traditional white flour noodles.
Chicken breast: A lean protein source, essential for a balanced meal.

Vegetables:

Celery: Adds crunch, texture, and a slightly bitter balance to the sweetness of the other vegetables.
Onion: Offers a savory base flavor and sweetness to the dish.
Cabbage: Provides bulk, fiber, and vitamins, especially vitamin C.

Flavor Enhancers:

Soy sauce: Offers a salty, umami flavor that is characteristic of Chinese cuisine.
Brown sugar: Balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness.
Garlic: Provides a savory and pungent flavor, known for its health benefits.
Ginger: Offers a warm, spicy flavor and potential health benefits.

Additional Ingredients:

Cooking spray: Used to prevent sticking in the cooking process.

Optional additions: Other vegetables such as carrots, water chestnuts, or bell peppers can be included for added flavor and texture.

How to Make Skinny Chicken Chow Mein

Preparing the Noodles and Vegetables

Cook the noodles: Cook the whole grain spaghetti according to package directions, but aim for slightly less cooking time than indicated for a firmer texture.
Prepare the vegetables: While the spaghetti cooks, prepare the celery, onion, and cabbage by slicing or chopping them into desired sizes.

Cooking the Chicken

Cook the chicken: In a separate pan, cook the diced chicken breast over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Creating the Chow Mein

Sauté the vegetables: In the same pan, add a small amount of cooking spray and sauté the celery and onion until softened. Add the cabbage and cook until tender-crisp.
Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Add the cooked spaghetti and the prepared sauce. Stir-fry until everything is heated through and the flavors are well combined.

Serving

Serve immediately while hot.

Tips:

For added flavor, consider using a combination of light and dark soy sauce.
To increase the nutritional value, you can add other vegetables like carrots or snap peas.
For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of sesame oil to the finished dish.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 5 servings (each serving, 1½ cups)

Vegetarian Skinny Facts
Leave the chicken out and this chow mein becomes a fantastic vegetarian dish for “Meatless Mondays”
Skinny Facts: for 1 vegetarian serving (~1¼ cups)
264 calories, 3g fat, 9g protein, 54g carbs, 8g fiber, 749mg sodium, 10g sugar

Shopping Tips
I used Barilla whole grain spaghetti. A (2 ounce) serving has 6 grams of fiber! Most supermarkets sell this brand but there are others available.

Ginger, in a jar, can be found in the produce section where garlic, in a jar, is sold.

Prep Tips
The key to making this dish really simple is to prep the veggies, chicken and sauce before you start to stir fry. Then it comes together very quickly!

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 6-Blue
WW SmartPoints 8-Green

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 skinny serving (1½ cups)
327 calories, 5g fat, 1g sat fat, 21g protein, 54g carbs, 8g fiber, 776mg sodium, 10g sugar

FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
200 calories, 0g sat. fat, 8g sugar, 6g protein