Why the confusion about what this meal is called? I might ask my mom the same thing but for whatever reason, I’ve yet to ask.
My mom wrote this recipe out years ago and chicken chow mein/chop suey and made it to our dinner table on a number of occasions. I have no idea why the title has two names and I really can’t tell you which it is.
I don’t think I’ve ever ordered either from a Chinese restaurant so I just don’t know which the meal more closely resembles. Or if it resembles either at all!
OK, so I got a little off topic there. Kyle’s request for his mom’s meal jogged my memory and I had my mom make a copy of her recipe for me. This meal is a great way to use up leftover chicken or pork and gravy and I often make it with leftovers from a Sunday roast chicken.
It’s so easy to make and usually fulfills my craving for Chinese food but is so much healthier. I serve it over rice or spaghetti (this time I used penne because I was out of spaghetti) and top it with a few crunchy noodles.
Chicken Chow Mein
This chicken chow mein is an old family recipe that my mom and grandmother made for many many years. It's a quick weeknight meal and is an excellent way to use up leftover chicken, pork, and gravy from a holiday or weekend family meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2-3 stalks celery, chopped small
- 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
- 1 ½ medium onions, chopped
- ½ plus ¼cup bean sprouts, washed and drained
- 1 ½ cups chicken gravy (either homemade, jarred, or a combo of both)
- ½ plus ¼ cup chicken stock
- Good pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper, and garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 - 2 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce (I used more like 2 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp sugar or molasses
- 1 tsp gravy master if you don't use molasses
- 1 ½ cups diced or nearly shredded cooked chicken or pork
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (if needed to thicken the sauce at the end)
Instructions
- In a large non-stick frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat, then add celery and carrot and cook for 5 minutes. Add onions and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until everything starts to soften.
- Add bean sprouts and stir to combine. Turn heat to medium-low. Add gravy and chicken stock. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, ginger, and soy sauce. Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in sugar or molasses and gravy master (if not using molasses). Cook for 3 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.
- Add in chicken (or pork) and cook until chicken is heated through and sauce is thick. If sauce doesn't thicken, add the cornstarch/water slurry.
- Serve over rice or pasta. Freezes well (without pasta).
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My husband’s family makes American chop suey too! I have never heard of it before and I hate it. They are from NH so I wonder if it regional??
I lived in the Philippines for 2 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer and it’s called Chop Suey there…