Mastering La Choy Chow Mein: A Timeless American-Chinese Classic

Embark on a culinary journey into the nostalgic world of La Choy Chicken Chow Mein and La Choy Beef Chow Mein. This comprehensive guide and recipe review delves into a beloved 80s classic, offering an incredibly easy and convenient way to enjoy Chinese-inspired takeout flavors from the comfort of your home. While true gourmet chow mein might not originate from a can, La Choy stands as an undisputed champion for budget-friendly, quick, and satisfying family meals. Featuring tender chicken or savory beef, a medley of crisp vegetables, and the delightful crunch of accompanying La Choy Chow Mein Noodles, it’s a pantry staple that always delivers when you need a swift solution.

The Enduring Legacy of La Choy: Still on Shelves?

Many fans wonder: “Does La Choy still make chow mein?” The answer is a resounding yes! La Choy, a brand synonymous with convenient Asian-inspired foods, did not cease operations. Instead, it became part of the ConAgra Foods family in 1990, securing its place in American pantries for decades to come. Despite recent supply chain disruptions and pandemic-related shortages that might have made your favorite canned Chinese fare temporarily scarce, La Choy products, including their famous chow mein noodles and canned chow mein kits, are still widely available if you know where to look. We’ll show you how to find them and make the most of this classic.

Beyond Chow Mein: Exploring the La Choy Product Lineup

While our focus today is on the iconic La Choy Chicken Chow Mein with vegetables and its beef counterpart, the brand offers a variety of products perfect for creating quick Asian-inspired meals. Here are a few other popular La Choy items to keep an eye out for:

• La Choy Chow Mein Noodles: These crunchy, savory noodles are essential for adding texture to any chow mein dish, or simply for snacking.
• Canned La Choy Chop Suey (also known as La Choy Stir Fry Vegetables): This flavorful vegetable mix serves as an excellent base if you’re aiming for a La Choy Vegetable Chow Mein, or simply as a side dish.
• La Choy Soy Sauce: A staple condiment for countless Asian dishes, perfect for enhancing the flavors of your chow mein.

What Exactly is Chicken Chow Mein? Unpacking the American-Chinese Classic

In the realm of American Chinese restaurants, “chicken chow mein” typically refers to a stir-fried dish featuring chicken, noodles, onions, and celery, all tossed in a savory, Asian-inspired sauce. However, variations abound. You might also encounter a version that more closely resembles a chop suey-like stew, often served without noodles and accompanied by rice. Canned La Choy Chicken Chow Mein falls into this latter category; it contains no noodles within the can itself, presenting a rich, saucy mix of chicken and vegetables designed to be served over rice and topped with crispy noodles.

The beauty of chow mein lies in its versatility and its ability to adapt to regional tastes. From soft, saucy noodles to crispy, pan-fried versions, this dish has evolved significantly since its arrival in the United States. La Choy’s canned offering captures a specific, convenient facet of this diverse culinary tradition, making it accessible to anyone seeking a quick, flavorful meal.

The Cultural Journey: Is Chow Mein Truly Chinese?

Chow mein has deep roots in Chinese cuisine, specifically deriving from the Cantonese dish “chaomian.” This dish made its way to the U.S. with Chinese immigrants, who adapted it over time to appeal to the evolving American palate. The version we commonly find in American restaurants and, indeed, in a La Choy can, represents a unique fusion—a testament to the dynamic interplay between immigrant culinary traditions and local tastes. While it may differ from traditional Cantonese chaomian, it holds a significant and cherished place in American culinary history.

Regional Flavors: Chicken Chow Mein’s Distinct Taste in New England

It’s fascinating how a dish can take on different characteristics across various regions of the U.S. Chicken chow mein is a prime example. In New England, for instance, the chow mein gravy often features a thicker consistency and a flavor profile that resonates more with traditional gravies found in local cooking. This regional adaptation highlights the rich tapestry of American-Chinese cuisine, where local preferences often shape the interpretation of classic dishes. Understanding these nuances can deepen your appreciation for the culinary evolution of popular dishes like chow mein.

Who Makes La Choy Chow Mein?

La Choy chow mein is produced by ConAgra Brands, a prominent American packaged food company. ConAgra is a well-known name in the food industry, responsible for many household brands, ensuring that La Choy maintains its consistent quality and widespread availability across the country.

Quick & Easy: How to Cook La Choy Chicken Chow Mein (Stovetop Method)

Preparing La Choy Chicken Chow Mein or La Choy Beef Chow Mein is remarkably simple, designed for maximum convenience. The product typically comes in a “bi-pack can,” a clever design where a larger can of vegetables is connected to a smaller can containing the meat and sauce. Follow these steps for a delicious, hot meal:

Empty the contents of the smaller can (meat and sauce) into a cast iron skillet or a similar heavy-bottomed pan. Add the thoroughly drained and rinsed vegetables to the skillet.

Serve your steaming La Choy Chicken Chow Mein or Beef Chow Mein over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice. For an authentic experience and delightful textural contrast, top it generously with crispy La Choy Chow Mein Noodles. Alternatively, chopped nuts like cashews or peanuts can provide a healthy and satisfying crunch. Enjoy this simple yet satisfying meal!

Ingredient Breakdown: What’s Inside La Choy Chicken Chow Mein?

Speedy Preparation: La Choy Chow Mein Microwave Directions

Open the can of vegetables and drain them thoroughly using a colander. Combine the contents of the sauce and meat can with the drained vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are mixed.

While convenient, La Choy chow mein can be quite salty and sometimes a bit bland on its own. It’s certainly a fantastic option for emergency meals or when time is of the essence, but for everyday dining, consider enhancing its flavor with additional ingredients, as we’ll discuss later.

Nutritional Snapshot: La Choy Chicken Chow Mein Calories

For those mindful of their caloric intake, La Choy Chicken Chow Mein offers a relatively light option. Each serving provides approximately 90 calories. With three servings per can, you could consume the entire can for fewer than 300 calories, making it a low-calorie base for a meal. This makes it an appealing choice for individuals managing their weight, especially when paired with low-calorie accompaniments.

A Deeper Dive: La Choy Chicken Chow Mein Nutrition

Storage Tips: Can You Freeze La Choy Chow Mein Noodles?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze La Choy crunchy noodles to extend their shelf life. For best results, store them in an airtight container or a freezer bag with as much air pressed out as possible. When properly stored, these noodles can maintain their quality for 2-3 months, and sometimes even longer. Freezing is a great way to ensure you always have that signature crunch on hand for your chow mein or other dishes.

Elevating Your Meal: What Goes Well with La Choy Chow Mein?

While La Choy canned chow mein is a convenient meal on its own, it truly shines when paired with the right accompaniments and enhancements. I highly recommend serving it over a bed of fluffy rice to absorb the savory sauce. The traditional topping for that signature crunch is, of course, La Choy chow mein noodles. However, for a more nutritious twist, I often opt for a sprinkle of chopped cashews or other nuts, which provide healthy fats and fiber alongside a satisfying texture.

Beyond toppings, there are many ways to “doctor up” canned La Choy chow mein and make it taste even better:

• Add Fresh Vegetables: Boost the nutritional content and freshness by stirring in extra vegetables like water chestnuts, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli florets, or additional baby corn.
• Aromatic Boosters: Enhance the flavor with fresh ginger, minced garlic, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
• Protein Power-Up: For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked shrimp, extra chicken, or tofu cubes.
• Sauce Enhancements: A splash of sriracha, a drizzle of chili oil, or a touch more soy sauce can customize the flavor to your liking.

Watch How to Make It!

Video Placeholder for “La Choy Chow Mein (Chicken or Beef)” recipe instructions.

La Choy Chow Mein in a Can (Chicken or Beef)

Summer Yule

Learn how to make La Choy chicken chow mein and La Choy beef chow mein with this review and recipe! It’s an easy way to enjoy Chinese takeout at home.

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Chinese

Servings: 3

Calories: 90 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 can La Choy Chow Mein (chicken or beef)
• La Choy Chow Mein Noodles (or chopped cashews, optional)
• Cooked rice (optional)

Instructions

1. La Choy chow mein comes in a “bi-pack can” – essentially two cans stuck together. The larger can holds the vegetables, while the smaller can contains the chicken or beef and sauce. Begin by separating the cans.
2. Open the can of vegetables and drain them thoroughly using a colander over the sink. Rinsing the vegetables well helps to reduce the high sodium content of this food.
3. Empty the smaller can (containing meat and sauce) into a cast iron skillet. Stir in the drained vegetables.
4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally. It should only take a few minutes to get hot and ready to serve.
5. Serve La Choy chicken chow mein or beef chow mein over rice. Top with something crunchy, such as ready-to-eat La Choy chow mein noodles, or chopped cashews. Enjoy!

Equipment

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Colander
• Can Opener

Notes

Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule

This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). La Choy chicken chow mein and La Choy beef chow mein are primarily vegetable-based dishes. Because of this, they are inherently low in calories. You can comfortably consume an entire can for under 300 calories, making them a sensible option for weight management.

My primary concern with these products is their exceptionally high sodium content. If you were to eat the entire can, you’d be consuming between 3810-4260 mg of sodium (depending on your choice of chicken or beef). This significantly exceeds the recommended daily limit of 2300 mg of sodium, as per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It’s crucial to consider this, especially since a 270-calorie can of La Choy Chow Mein is unlikely to be your only food intake for the day, meaning your overall daily sodium intake could be much higher.

You can mitigate some of the sodium by thoroughly rinsing the canned vegetables. However, a substantial amount of sodium remains in the meat and sauce can. Therefore, this product is not advisable for individuals on strict low-sodium diets.

Adding a crunchy element to your La Choy chicken chow mein can dramatically improve the meal’s enjoyment. While the La Choy chow mein noodles are a classic choice, they can contribute a fair amount of empty calories. For a more wholesome crunch, I recommend sprinkling some nuts or seeds instead, offering both texture and added nutrients.

Nutrition information provided is for one serving of La Choy Beef Chow Mein (canned product without toppings or rice).

Nutrition Info Disclaimer

All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.

The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.

“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food.

Nutrition

Calories: 90 kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 1g
Sodium: 1420mg
Potassium: 160mg
Fiber: 2g
Added Sugar: 4g
Calcium: 4% DV
Iron: 4% DV

Keywords

la choy beef chow mein, la choy chicken chow mein, la choy chicken chow mein with vegetables, la choy chow mein, la choy chow mein noodles

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