OMG, this is absolutely delicious! Packed with flavour but low in calories, this Whole30 Chicken Lo Mein is sure to become a family favourite. Only minutes to make so perfect for a healthy weekday meal.
Since my Simple Pork Fried Rice (Whole30, Keto) and my Egg Roll In-A-Bowl (Whole30, Keto) were such huge successes, I decided to try my hand at another Chinese food favourite
What is the difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?
Since I had no idea myself, I decided to do a little digging on the internet.
It turns out that the word "Mein" (actually pronounced like the word "mean") is simply the Chinese word for "noodles". So, both Lo Mein and Chow Mein are made with a wheat and egg type noodle.
Where the difference lies is on how the noodles are actually prepared. The word "Lo" loosely translates into the word "tossed". On the other hand, the word "Chow" means "fried" so the noodles in Chow Mein are fried and in Lo Mein they are merely tossed in a light sauce.
How do you make this Whole30 Chicken Lo Mein Gluten-Free and Keto approved
This was the biggest obstacle that I had to overcome. I mean seriously, how can you have Lo Mein without noodles?
The solution lies in new products that you can nearly anywhere - Kelp and Shirataki noodles.
- Kelp Noodles:
- Made from the jelly-like extract left after steaming edible kelp.
- They are made without the addition of grain flour or starch, have a chewy texture and are low in calories.
- Rich in nutrients, these noodles are Whole30 approved, keto and gluten-free.
- Shirataki Noodles:
- These noodles are long and white in colour.
- They are sometimes called miracle noodles or konjac noodles.
- They are made from glucomannan which is a type of fibre from the root of the konjac plant.
- 97% water and only 3% glucomannan fibre, these noodles are low in calories and contain no digestible carbs.
- Perfect for a gluten-free and keto diet, these noodles have been questioned with regards to being Whole30 approved.
- Most people believe then to fit the Whole30 criteria but it is up to you to determine.
- If you are using Shirataki noodles, be forewarned that they have a very fishy smell when they come out of the bag. However, after you have rinsed and coated them in a sauce, I swear to you that no smell remains!
As for the spices, I tried a new spice mix from Trader Joe's called Umami seasoning.
Considered to be the 5th taste Umami, meaning "savoury deliciousness". The spice mix contains salt, onions, mustard seed, mushroom powder, crushed red pepper, black pepper and thyme.
If you can't find this spice mix, try using a little Chinese 5 Spice with a little added onion and mustard powder.
Also, to add a little extra "bulk" to the meal, I used some prepackaged shredded cabbage. Not only does this add a great texture to the dish but it also adds some extra nutrients to the meal.
Sweet, savoury and amazing as leftovers, this Whole30 Chicken Lo Mein was given a 2 thumbs up by Mr. Grumbles!
If you love this Whole30 Chicken Lo Mein recipe, you may enjoy the following:
- 10 Minute Beef and Broccoli (Whole30, Low Carb, Keto)
- Egg Roll In-A-Bowl (Whole30, Keto)
- Simple Pork Fried Rice(Whole30, Keto)
Whole30 Lo Mein (Keto, Dairy Free)
Low in calorie yet full of flavour, this chicken lo mein is Whole30 approved, keto and gluten-free. Easy to make and healthy to eat, a simple stir fry of veggies and noodles make this a perfect dinner.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the sauce:
- ⅓ cup coconut aminos
- ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp Trader Joe's Umami seasoning (omit if you don't have it)
For the Lo Mein
- 2 cups diced cooked meat (chicken or pork)
- 1 red pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 12 oz shredded cabbage
- 24 oz kelp noodles (or shirataki noodles or cooked rice noodles)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Add onion and cook until beginning to become translucent. Add pepper and continue to cook, stirring frequently for about 3 more minutes.
- Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 additional minute, stirring constantly.
- Next, add the shredded cabbage and noodles to the skillet. Pour the sauce mixture over top and stir to combine. Continue to cook on medium heat until noodles and shredded cabbage are heated all the way through.
Notes
- If you don't have Umami seasoning, simply add an additional Chinese 5 spice, onion powder and mustard to your coconut aminos.
- If you are not on the Whole30, you can replace the coconut aminos with soy sauce
- I like the Shirataki noodles which I can easily find at my local grocery store.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Meals
- Cuisine: Whole30, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 3.9 g
- Fat: 7.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.4 g
- Fiber: 3.6 g
- Protein: 14.4 g
Leave a Reply