This post was sponsored by Hormel Foods. All opinions are my own. Take 20 minutes to toss this Chicken Lo Mein together and enjoy it with your family.
How often does your family sit down for dinner? My mother made dinner a nightly priority when I was growing up, and those regular shared meals created space for conversation and connection. I continued that tradition with my own family. Research shows many families no longer eat together every night; in a 2013 poll only about 30% reported doing so.
Regular family meals offer more than pleasant memories. Studies link them to better health and well-being for children, lower risk of obesity and substance abuse, and stronger family bonds. For us, sitting down together each evening provided a routine pause from busy days that brought us closer and supported healthier habits.
If you need more reasons to prioritize family meals, here are a few findings from the research (citations follow at the end):
- Adolescents who take part in even one or two family meals per week are less likely to be overweight or obese in adulthood compared to teens who never eat family meals.
- People who prepare most of their meals at home consume fewer carbohydrates, less sugar, and less fat than those who cook less or not at all.
- Each additional family meal shared weekly is associated with lower rates of depressive symptoms, reduced likelihood of drug use or abuse, and fewer delinquent behaviors among adolescents.
Stronger families benefit everyone. If you want to bring dinner back to the table more often, try this quick Chicken Lo Mein that’s ready in about 20 minutes. The aroma alone is likely to draw everyone to the table.
This recipe is fast thanks to House of Tsang Stir-Fry Sauce from Hormel Foods, which you’ll find in the Asian aisle of many grocery stores. It helps you get a flavorful, family-friendly meal on the table without spending a lot of time.
Finding time for family dinners can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. September is National Family Meals Month, and I encourage you to aim for at least three shared meals per week. You may find you enjoy the routine more than you expect.
Everyone has to eat—why not do it together?
Print Recipe
Chicken Lo Mein
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti noodles
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 1 cup snow peas
- 4 green onions
- 1 cup House of Tsang Stir-Fry Sauce
Instructions
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Cook noodles according to package directions and drain.
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Meanwhile, heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, bell pepper, and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender-crisp.
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Add snow peas and green onions and cook 1–2 more minutes until slightly wilted.
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Toss the stir-fried chicken and vegetables with the cooked noodles and the stir-fry sauce. Serve immediately.
1. Wolfson, J. and Bleich, S. (2014). Is cooking at home associated with better diet quality or weight-loss intention? Public Health Nutrition.
2. Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2010). Family meals and adolescents: what have we learned from project EAT? Public Health Nutrition, 13 (7).
3. Wolfson, J. and Bleich, S. (2014). Is cooking at home associated with better diet quality or weight-loss intention? Public Health Nutrition.
4. Meier, A. and Musick, K. (2014). Variation in associations between family dinners and adolescent well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 76 (1).