Chicken Chowmein – Guyanese Style

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate Chicken

Debone the chicken legs and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces. Wash the chicken thoroughly. Season the chicken with 1/2 tsp blended celery/shallot paste, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp Chinese sauce. Mix everything well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Step 2: Boil Chowmein Noodles

Add 4 cups of water to a large pan and bring it to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, add the 340g (12 oz) pack of chowmein noodles and 1/2 tsp of salt. Stir the noodles to separate them, then cover the pan and let them boil for approximately 5 minutes until they are tender but still firm (al dente).

Step 3: Strain and Rinse Noodles

After 5 minutes, check the noodles for doneness. Once cooked, immediately strain the noodles using a colander. Rinse them thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking together. Set aside to drain completely.

Step 4: Prepare Vegetables

While the chicken is marinating and noodles are cooking, chop all the vegetables. Slice 1 red bell pepper into strips. Chop the 7-8 strands of bora (long beans) into small pieces. Finely chop the 6 stalks of celery and 6 stalks of shallots/green onions. Slice the 1/2 onion. Finely chop the 1 wiri wiri pepper (if using).

Step 5: Cook Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan. Cook the chicken for approximately 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is fully cooked through and has a nice brown color.

Step 6: Add Bell Pepper and Bora

Once the chicken is cooked, add the chopped red bell pepper and the chopped bora (long beans) to the pan. Stir well to combine with the chicken. Cook for about 1-1.5 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly but still retain some crunch.

Step 7: Add Remaining Vegetables and Noodles

Add the chopped celery, shallots/green onions, sliced onion, and chopped wiri wiri pepper to the pan. Stir everything together. Immediately add the strained chowmein noodles on top of the chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp chow mein seasoning over the noodles. Drizzle an additional 2 tbsp of Chinese sauce over the noodles.

Step 8: Mix and Serve

Using a large spoon or tongs, gently mix all the ingredients in the pan until the noodles, chicken, and vegetables are thoroughly combined and evenly coated with the sauces and seasonings. Taste the chowmein and adjust any seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious Guyanese-style Chicken Chowmein!

• Marinate the chicken for at least 20-30 minutes for best flavor.

• Do not overcook the bell peppers and bora; they should retain some crunch and vibrant color.

• Adjust the amount of wiri wiri pepper to your spice preference.