If you’re craving that comforting, takeout-style noodle dish but want something quicker and healthier, you’ll absolutely adore this Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe. I stumbled on this recipe when I wanted easy weeknight dinners that didn’t mean living off frozen meals, and now it’s a staple in my kitchen. You’ll find it’s loaded with tender chicken, fresh veggies, and perfectly sauced rice noodles—all made in one pot with minimal cleanup. Trust me, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and will have your family asking for seconds!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pot Convenience: This Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe lets you cook everything together, cutting down on mess and prep time.
Balanced Flavor and Texture: Tender chicken, crisp veggies, and saucy noodles hit all the right notes.
Healthy Takeout Alternative: You get the delicious lo mein taste with fresh ingredients and control over sodium and oils.
Family Approved: My family goes crazy for it, especially on busy nights when I’m short on time.

The image shows a close-up of a bowl filled with a colorful noodle stir-fry. The bottom layer consists of long, light yellow noodles, mixed evenly with sliced vegetables including bright green snow peas, orange thin carrot strips, chunky red bell pepper pieces, and light brown mushroom slices. There are also pieces of light tan tofu or chicken mixed into the dish. The noodles and vegetables are coated with a glossy sauce, giving them a shiny and slightly wet texture. The bowl is white, and it sits on a white marbled surface with some green leaves blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein, easy chicken lo mein, healthy chicken noodle stir-fry, quick weeknight dinner recipes, one-pot lo mein

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe calls for fresh vegetables, lean chicken, and flavorful sauces that combine to make a mouthwatering dish. Using rice stir fry noodles keeps the texture just right, and the blend of soy, hoisin, and rice wine vinegar layers in that classic umami taste you expect from lo mein.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts with smooth, pale pink flesh, three whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a medium white onion cut in half showing its layers, a large red bell pepper sliced into thin vibrant red strips, a cluster of sliced white mushrooms with tan caps, a small white bowl filled with slender, bright orange matchstick carrots, a small white bowl with fresh crisp green snow peas, a small white bowl containing fresh green bok choy leaves, a small white bowl of clear golden chicken stock, a small white bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl of translucent rice wine vinegar, a small white bowl of thick dark reddish-brown Hoisin sauce, a small white bowl holding glossy dark soy sauce, and a neat bundle of pale tan rice stir-fry noodles broken in half -- all ingredients arranged symmetrically with perfect balance, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein, easy chicken lo mein, healthy chicken noodle stir-fry, quick weeknight dinner recipes, one-pot lo mein

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to cook fast and soak up all the yummy sauces.
Sesame oil: Adds a nutty aroma that’s signature to Asian dishes.
Garlic and onion: These build the flavorful base; don’t skip them!
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and a pop of color; julienne it for that authentic bite.
Mushrooms: Sliced for earthy depth and a meaty texture that pairs well with the chicken.
Matchstick carrots: Provide a slight crunch and vibrant color.
Snow peas: Brighten the dish with fresh crispness.
Bok choy: Offers mild bitterness and a leafy green balance.
Chicken stock: The liquid base that steams and cooks the noodles and chicken perfectly.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and a touch of acidity.
Rice wine vinegar: Adds a subtle tang and depth to the sauce.
Hoisin sauce: Brings sweetness and a rich, thick texture.
Soy sauce: The classic salty umami to tie it all together.
Rice stir fry noodles: They cook quickly and soak up flavors beautifully in the Instant Pot.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is—you can easily customize it to your preferences or what’s on hand. Feel free to switch up veggies or protein; the method stays the same and the flavors still shine.

Use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken: I swapped chicken for shrimp one night and it was just as fantastic and quick!
Vegetarian version: Omit the chicken, use vegetable broth, and add extra mushrooms or tofu for protein.
Add spice: A dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes kicked up the heat and gave it a nice zing.
Different noodles: If you can’t find rice stir fry noodles, you can use thin spaghetti or lo mein noodles—just adjust cooking times slightly.

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics and chicken

Start by turning your Instant Pot to sauté mode and letting it heat up. Add the sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced onion—these aromatics are your flavor foundation and filling the kitchen with a heavenly smell already. Sprinkle in salt and pepper, then toss in the chicken breasts. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and the onions are soft, stirring occasionally. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. It’s important not to rush this step—browning the chicken slightly and softening the veggies add so much depth!

Step 2: Layer the noodles and liquids

Once the chicken is ready, turn the Instant Pot off. Break the rice stir fry noodles in half and layer them evenly on top of the chicken mixture—no stirring here! Next, pour in the chicken stock, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce carefully over the noodles. Resist the urge to mix because the noodles will cook perfectly with steam.

Step 3: Add the veggies and pressure cook

Top everything with your prepped veggies: red bell pepper, mushrooms, matchstick carrots, snow peas, and bok choy. Seal the lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set your Instant Pot to manual high pressure (or pressure cook on newer models) for 4 minutes. This quick cooking locks in freshness and keeps the veggies crisp-tender.

Step 4: Release pressure and finish

When the timer beeps, perform a quick pressure release carefully to avoid steam burns. Open the lid, give everything a good stir to mix the sauce, noodles, chicken, and veggies together. Let it sit for a few minutes—this lets the sauce thicken and flavors meld beautifully. Then, serve up warm and enjoy!

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Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

Don’t Stir Before Cooking: Layering the noodles on top and not stirring prevents them from sticking to the bottom and ensures even cooking.
Quick Release to Preserve Veggies: Using the quick release helps veggies stay vibrant and crisp instead of getting mushy.
Slice Veggies Uniformly: Cutting vegetables into similar sizes guarantees they cook evenly and all fit nicely in one pot.
Adjust Cooking Time for Different Noodles: If you swap noodles, remember to tweak cooking time slightly to avoid over- or under-cooked pasta.

How to Serve Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe

A close-up shot of a round white bowl filled with a noodle dish that has three main visible layers. The base layer consists of light yellow noodles that look soft and slightly shiny. Mixed in and on top of the noodles are bright orange thin carrot strips, pale green sliced snow peas, and light brown sliced mushrooms. Scattered throughout are small pieces of light brown cooked chicken or tofu, adding texture contrast. The background shows an out-of-focus white marbled surface, giving the dish a clean and fresh look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein, easy chicken lo mein, healthy chicken noodle stir-fry, quick weeknight dinner recipes, one-pot lo mein

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions on top—these add a fresh crunch and extra burst of flavor that really elevate the dish. Sometimes a little drizzle of sriracha sauce on top gives it a nice spicy kick that my family loves.

Side Dishes

This Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe is so filling on its own, but I like to serve it alongside simple steamed dumplings or a light cucumber salad to refresh the palate. A quick stir-fried bok choy or Chinese broccoli also complements it beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve the lo mein in individual bowls topped with edible flowers or shredded nori for a pop of color and elegance. Another fun idea is to make little lo mein lettuce wraps using butter lettuce leaves—these are always a hit with kids and adults alike!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When packing, I leave out the garnishes so they stay fresh. The flavors deepen overnight, so sometimes day-old lo mein tastes even better the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe successfully, but because of the noodles and veggies, texture can soften slightly once thawed. If freezing, pack single servings and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to retain the best quality.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is gently on the stove in a skillet with a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen things up and prevent drying. Microwaving works fine too—just cover with a damp paper towel to keep moisture locked in.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles for this Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe?

Absolutely! While rice stir fry noodles work best because they cook quickly and absorb sauce well, you can substitute lo mein noodles, thin spaghetti, or even ramen noodles. Just keep in mind that cooking times might need slight adjustment—usually a minute more or less under pressure.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes! Just replace chicken with firm tofu or extra mushrooms and swap chicken stock for vegetable broth. Keep soy sauce and hoisin sauce as is or check they’re plant-based. You’ll still get delicious, hearty lo mein with fantastic flavor.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together in the Instant Pot?

Breaking the noodles in half and layering them on top without stirring helps prevent clumping. Also, avoid overcooking by sticking to the 4-minute pressure cooking time and quick releasing pressure immediately.
Can I prep this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can chop all vegetables and measure out sauces ahead, then store them in the fridge. When you’re ready, just sauté and pressure cook—the whole process comes together quickly when ingredients are prepped.

Final Thoughts

This Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe has become one of my go-tos when I want something that’s easy, flavorful, and just feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I love how it streamlines the whole process—no juggling multiple pans and no waiting forever. If you want to impress your family or simply make your weeknights tastier with less effort, give this recipe a try. I promise you’ll come back to it again and again, just like I do!