Noodles in every way, shape and form are a food group in our house, whether bathed in a creamy cheese sauce, chilled and tossed in tangy peanut sauce or layered and baked as a classic Italian dish. If it features noodles, it’s a beloved favorite with my squad. I love this recipe because I can grab whatever veggies and protein I have stashed in the fridge and whip up dinner faster than ordering delivery.

Chow mein is a Chinese dish starring stir-fried noodles (plus a combination of vegetables and sometimes meat or seafood) in a signature sweet and salty sauce. Traditionally the noodles are fried but often, as I do in this recipe, the yakisoba or fresh chow mein noodles are boiled and then added to the stir-fried vegetables, chicken and sauce. If you’d like to make this recipe more authentic, fry your noodles in a little oil before adding them to your pan.