Welcome to a culinary journey that brings the vibrant flavors of Cantonese cuisine straight to your kitchen! This recipe for Cantonese Chicken with Egg Noodles isn’t just a meal; it’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Imagine coming home after a long day of school, work, and sports clubs, and having a delicious, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. That’s exactly what this dish promises – and delivers!

At our house, this Cantonese chicken and noodles dish is an absolute winner. It’s the perfect blend of quick preparation, healthy ingredients, and irresistible taste that everyone, from the pickiest eaters to the most seasoned foodies, will adore. Forget spending hours slaving over the stove; with simple pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients, you can create a restaurant-quality meal that tastes homemade in the best way possible.

Today, I’m inviting you into my kitchen to uncover the secrets of this simple yet profoundly delicious recipe. We’ll explore how to transform basic chicken and vegetables into a flavourful feast, enhanced by a wonderfully balanced Cantonese sauce and perfectly cooked egg noodles. Get ready to add a new staple to your weekly menu, one that promises comfort, convenience, and a burst of authentic Asian flavors. Let’s make something simple to make, yet always delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cantonese Chicken with Egg Noodles and Veggies

Life during the week can be a whirlwind. Between juggling school runs, work commitments, and various extracurricular activities, finding time to prepare a nutritious and enjoyable meal can often feel like an insurmountable challenge. This recipe was born out of that very need – to put something simple, quick, and satisfying on the table when time is of the essence. And it has quickly become a cherished regular on our weekly menu because it hits all the right notes.

What makes this Cantonese chicken and noodle dish truly stand out is its incredible versatility and adaptability. While the recipe provides a fantastic foundation, it’s remarkably flexible. Feel free to consider it a canvas for your culinary creativity! You can effortlessly incorporate additional vegetables that you have on hand, or tweak the seasonings slightly to perfectly match your family’s flavor preferences. Whether you prefer a milder taste or a little extra kick, this recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your palate, ensuring it’s a hit every time.

Beyond its ease and flexibility, this recipe offers a wonderful sense of comfort and satisfaction without demanding hours in the kitchen. It beautifully combines all the elements of a truly satisfying meal: succulent, tender fried chicken pieces, vibrant and crispy vegetables, and a luscious, slightly sweet, and savory Cantonese sauce that coats everything perfectly. The egg noodles, a delightful base, absorb all these incredible flavors, making every forkful a joyful experience. It’s a complete meal that feels gourmet but is surprisingly simple to achieve, proving that delicious home cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cantonese Chicken & Noodles

One of the beauties of this Cantonese chicken with egg noodles recipe is that it relies on ingredients you likely already have in your pantry or can easily find at any supermarket. Here’s a detailed look at the key components that come together to create this harmonious dish, along with some tips and possible substitutions:

• Egg Noodles: These are a cornerstone of many Asian stir-fries. Made from wheat flour and eggs, they boast a delightful, slightly chewy texture and a light, appealing color. You’ll typically find the dried variety readily available in the international or pasta aisle of your local grocery store. If egg noodles aren’t available or you’re looking for an alternative, rice noodles (made from rice flour) make an excellent gluten-free substitute, offering a similar body to the dish. For an even quicker option, instant ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) can also be used.
• Chicken Fillet: We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast for our Cantonese chicken, cut into bite-sized cubes. Its lean profile and ability to quickly absorb marinades make it ideal for this fast-cooking dish. However, for a richer flavor and even more tender result, boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillet is a fantastic alternative. Simply ensure it’s trimmed of excess fat and cut uniformly for even cooking.
• Fresh Vegetables: A colorful array of vegetables not only boosts the nutritional value but also adds a wonderful crunch and depth of flavor. Our chosen mix includes:
  • White Cabbage: Provides a satisfying crunch and sweetens slightly when stir-fried.
  • Leek: Adds a mild, oniony flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
  • Spring Onion (Scallions): Used for garnish and adds a fresh, pungent finish.
  • Red Onion: Offers a sharper, sweeter onion note and a lovely color.
  • Carrot: Contributes a touch of sweetness, vibrant color, and essential vitamins, especially when julienned for quick cooking.

  Feel free to augment this selection with other quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, bok choy, mushrooms, or bean sprouts to customize your meal.

• Flavorful Seasonings (for Marinade and Veggies): These spices are crucial for building the authentic Cantonese flavor profile:
  • Ground Coriander, Paprika Powder, Chili Powder, Chinese Five-Spice Powder: These form the aromatic backbone of the chicken marinade, creating a warm, slightly spicy, and deeply savory base. Chinese five-spice powder, a blend of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds, is particularly essential for that distinctive Asian taste.
  • Fresh Ginger & Garlic: The pungent, aromatic duo that forms the heart of many Asian dishes, providing freshness and depth to both the chicken and vegetable stir-fry.
  • Curry Powder: While not traditionally Cantonese, a hint of curry powder in the vegetable mix adds an unexpected layer of warmth and complexity that really makes the flavors pop.
• Soy Sauce: A non-negotiable for Asian cuisine! We’ve opted for Japanese soy sauce (like Kikkoman) for its balanced umami and slightly less salty profile. Excellent substitutes include Kecap Asin (Indonesian light soy sauce) or any good quality light soy sauce. Avoid dark soy sauce for this recipe, as it’s primarily used for color and has a much stronger, sweeter flavor.
• Sunflower Oil: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, perfect for stir-frying. Vegetable oil or canola oil also work well.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors.
• Water: A small amount of water helps create a light sauce and ensures the vegetables cook through without becoming soggy.

Having these ingredients prepped and ready (mise en place!) will make the cooking process incredibly smooth and enjoyable, ensuring your 30-minute meal stays on schedule.

Step-by-Step Preparation: Crafting Your Cantonese Chicken & Noodles

Creating this delicious Cantonese Chicken with Egg Noodles is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to its well-defined steps. Follow along to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavor-packed meal every time. While the recipe card below provides concise instructions, here’s a more detailed guide to ensure your success in the kitchen:

1. Prepare the Noodles: Begin by cooking your egg noodles according to the package instructions. Most egg noodles require just a few minutes in boiling water. Once cooked, drain them well and set aside. You can toss them with a tiny bit of oil to prevent sticking if you won’t be using them immediately.
2. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for your chicken marinade: Japanese soy sauce, ground coriander, paprika powder, chili powder, squeezed garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, sunflower oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all the spices are well incorporated. Add your cubed chicken breast (or thigh) to this mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. This brief marination time is key to infusing the chicken with rich, savory flavors and ensuring it stays tender during cooking.
3. Sear the Chicken: Heat a tablespoon of sunflower oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated chicken in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches to ensure it browns nicely rather than steaming. Fry the chicken until it’s beautifully golden brown on all sides and cooked through, typically about 5-7 minutes depending on the size of your cubes. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set it aside. It will be added back later to combine with the noodles and vegetables.
4. Stir-fry the Vegetables: Wipe the pan clean if there’s any residue from the chicken, then add another tablespoon of oil. First, add the finely chopped red onion and sliced leek to the hot pan. Stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften and release their aromatic flavors. Next, add the shredded white cabbage and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until it starts to tender-crisp. Finally, toss in the julienned carrots and stir-fry for just one more minute to retain their crunch and vibrant color.
5. Season the Vegetables and Combine: While the vegetables are stir-frying, quickly mix your vegetable spice blend in a small bowl: curry powder, ground ginger, a clove of squeezed garlic, and two tablespoons of Japanese soy sauce. Add this aromatic mixture to the pan with the stir-fried vegetables, along with a quarter cup of water. Stir well to combine all the flavors and allow it to simmer for a minute or two, letting the sauce slightly thicken and infuse into the vegetables. Finally, add the pre-cooked egg noodles to the pan and toss everything together thoroughly until the noodles are heated through and evenly coated with the delicious sauce and vegetables.
6. Serve and Garnish: Return the seared Cantonese chicken back to the pan with the noodles and vegetables. Give it a final gentle toss to warm the chicken through. To serve, scoop generous portions of the chicken and noodle mixture into bowls. Finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh spring onion rings for a bright, fresh touch and a hint of extra flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your quick, homemade Cantonese feast!

This structured approach ensures that each component of the dish is cooked to perfection and that the flavors marry beautifully, resulting in a balanced and incredibly satisfying meal.

Chef’s Corner: Andréa’s Smart Tips for Success

Beyond the basic steps, a few expert tips can elevate your Cantonese Chicken with Egg Noodles experience and make your life even easier:

• Meal Prep Perfection: This dish is fantastic for meal prepping! You can easily prepare a larger portion and store the leftovers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. For best results, I recommend storing the cooked chicken and the noodles with vegetables separately in airtight containers. This prevents the noodles from becoming soggy and the chicken from drying out. When you’re ready to reheat, simply combine them in a pan with a splash of water or broth, stir-fry until warm, and enjoy a fresh-tasting meal.
• Crisp Veggies are Key: When stir-frying, ensure your pan is hot enough and don’t overcrowd it. This allows the vegetables to char slightly and retain their crisp-tender texture, rather than steaming and becoming soft.
• Uniform Chicken Pieces: Cutting your chicken into roughly equal-sized cubes ensures that all pieces cook at the same rate, preventing some from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Adjust Spice Levels: The chili powder in the marinade is adjustable. If you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce or omit it. For more heat, feel free to add a bit more or a dash of your favorite chili sauce at the end.
• Beyond Egg Noodles: While egg noodles are traditional, don’t hesitate to experiment with other noodle types like thick udon noodles for a chewier texture or thin vermicelli for a lighter feel.

These small adjustments and considerations can make a big difference in both the taste and convenience of your homemade Cantonese chicken and noodles!

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Cantonese Chicken with Egg Noodles

Andréa

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