Updated on August 21st, 2025
This Charlie Chan chicken pasta is a flavorful mix of tender chicken, noodles, and a sweet-spicy sauce that’s inspired by the dish served at Yellow Cab. Chow mein noodles are tossed with stir-fried chicken, onions, garlic, and a rich sauce made from hoisin, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of chili-garlic heat. Crunchy peanuts add texture, making each bite both hearty and satisfying. Whether you’ve tried the original or are making it for the first time, this recipe is an easy way to bring delicious, restaurant-style flavors to your own kitchen.
Why this recipe works
- Sweet and savory flavor: The hoisin and oyster sauce blend beautifully with sesame oil and sugar, creating a sauce that is both rich and balanced, with every element complementing the others.
- A little heat: The chili-garlic sauce provides just enough spice to give the dish a gentle kick without taking away from the other flavors in the sauce.
- Great texture mix: Each serving combines tender, springy noodles with juicy pieces of chicken and the satisfying crunch of peanuts for a dish that keeps every bite interesting.
- Quick to prepare: Using a straightforward stir-fry method and fast-cooking noodles means you can have a full, flavorful meal on the table in less than half an hour.
Serving suggestions
- Complete the meal: Serve this pasta alongside crispy egg rolls or golden spring rolls to create a full Asian-inspired dinner that feels like a restaurant experience at home.
- Add vegetables: Brighten the dish by tossing in fresh vegetables such as bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli, which will add both color and a crisp texture.
- Noodle swap: If chow mein noodles aren’t available, spaghetti or angel hair pasta makes a great substitute, still soaking up the sauce beautifully.
- Extra garnish: Finish each plate with chopped green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds to add a pop of freshness and a hint of nutty flavor.
Charlie Chan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Charlie Chan chicken pasta combines tender chicken, chow mein noodles, and peanuts in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy Asian-inspired sauce.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 small onion (sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/4 tablespoon char siu sauce (or hoisin sauce)
- 1/4 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce
- 9 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/8 cup sugar
- 4 tablespoons water
- 2 (8 ounce) packages chow mein noodles
- 1/2 cup peanuts
Instructions
- Cook the chow mein noodles according to packaged directions. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine sesame oil, char sui sauce, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, sugar, and water. Heat olive oil in a wok or large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and stir-fry for about a minute.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Add the sauce mixture to the pan and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked (the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees). Stir in peanuts.
- Toss the chicken and sauce with the chow mein noodles.
Notes
- Chow mein noodles cook fast so it would be best to try and time the cooking of the noodles with the chicken and sauce being cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 521
- Sugar: 9.6 g
- Sodium: 1587.7 mg
- Fat: 37.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.9 g
- Protein: 11.3 g
- Cholesterol: 10.3 mg