Sizzling Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe for Busy Nights

Sizzling woks and aromatic Chinese chicken cabbage stir-fry fill kitchens with incredible comfort and bold flavors.

Crisp vegetables dance alongside tender meat in this quick, satisfying meal.

My grandmother’s traditional technique inspired this incredible recipe that comes together faster than ordering takeout.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients create such remarkable depth.

Vibrant green cabbage adds incredible crunch and nutrition to every delightful bite.

Lean protein and fresh vegetables make this dish both healthy and deeply satisfying.

You’ll want to master these techniques and impress everyone at your next dinner gathering.

Why Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry Is Light But Filling

• Whip Up Quick Flavor Explosion: This stir-fry delivers bold Chinese-inspired tastes in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners with minimal prep work.
• Master Healthy One-Pan Wonder: Packed with lean protein and crisp vegetables, the recipe offers a nutritious meal that balances tender chicken with crunchy cabbage for satisfying textures.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients allow simple swaps like using different proteins or adding extra vegetables, making it adaptable for various dietary preferences and what's available in your kitchen.
• Impress Without Stress: Beginner-friendly cooking method requires basic techniques like chopping and stir-frying, ensuring even novice cooks can create a restaurant-quality dish without complicated steps.

Ingredients For Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

• Chicken: Lean protein source for a filling and nutritious meal, boneless and skinless chicken breast works best for quick cooking.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Complex flavor base with a perfect balance of salty and sweet notes, choose low-sodium options if preferred.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tangy brightness to the dish, helps balance the rich sauce flavors.
• Cornstarch: Natural thickening agent that gives the sauce a glossy and smooth texture.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a gentle heat and warmth to the stir-fry.

• Cabbage: Crunchy and light vegetable that adds volume and nutrition, napa or green cabbage work well.
• Carrots: Adds color, sweetness, and extra crunch to the stir-fry.
• Garlic, Ginger, Onion: Aromatic base that creates depth of flavor, fresh ingredients are recommended.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a mild onion flavor and bright color.

• Sesame Seeds: Provides a nutty flavor and decorative touch to the finished dish.

How To Cook Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry Fast

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Explosion

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Hoisin sauce
• Cornstarch
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Whisk everything together until smooth and set aside.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Toss in chicken slices and cook until they turn golden brown and are completely cooked through. The chicken should have a beautiful caramelized exterior and be tender inside. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Dance with the Vegetables

• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Chopped onions

Stir these aromatics until they release their fragrant magic and become slightly translucent. Add cabbage and carrots, stirring quickly to keep everything moving. Cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, maintaining their vibrant colors and slight crunch.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Pour the prepared sauce over the entire mixture, stirring gently to ensure every piece is coated with the delicious sauce. Let everything simmer and mingle for a few moments, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the ingredients beautifully.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

Serve piping hot alongside steamed rice or your favorite noodles. Enjoy the burst of flavors that dance on your taste buds!

Tips For Flavorful Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

• Slice Chicken Precisely: Cut chicken into uniform, thin slices to ensure even cooking and quick heat absorption.
• Manage Moisture Levels: Pat chicken dry before cooking to prevent excess water and achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior.
• Control Vegetable Crunch: Chop cabbage and carrots into similar-sized pieces for consistent texture and even cooking throughout the stir-fry.
• Adjust Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats ingredients perfectly.
• Customize Heat Preferences: Modify red pepper flakes quantity to match your spice tolerance, creating a personalized flavor profile.

How To Keep Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness.
• Preserve: Refrigerated stir-fry remains delicious for 34 days. Keep chicken and vegetables crisp by storing sauce separately if possible.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and restore original texture.
• Freeze: Transfer to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Frozen stir-fry stays good for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Side Dishes That Go With Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

• Pair with Bright White Wine: Grab a crisp Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the rich, savory stir-fry flavors, balancing the dish's salty and slightly spicy notes with its refreshing acidity.
• Complement with Cold Asian Beer: Reach for a light Tsingtao or Sapporo, which will cool down the slight heat from red pepper flakes and match perfectly with the umami-packed chicken and cabbage combination.
• Enhance with Jasmine Rice Side: Serve alongside fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a complete meal that provides texture and absorbs the stir-fry's deep, complex flavors.
• Boost with Fresh Cucumber Salad: Add a quick cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil to provide a crisp, cool contrast to the warm, hearty stir-fry, adding brightness and lightness to the plate.

Tasty Variations Of Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

• Spicy Thai Chicken Remix: Replace hoisin sauce with Thai chili sauce, add lemongrass, and include sliced bell peppers for a zesty Southeast Asian flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, using extra-firm cubes marinated in the same sauce for a plant-based protein-packed meal.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Edition: Substitute cabbage with riced cauliflower, reduce cornstarch, and serve over cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version.
• Japanese-Inspired Fusion: Add mirin to the sauce, include shiitake mushrooms, and garnish with nori strips for a Japanese-style interpretation of the classic stir-fry.

FAQs About Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

• Why is cornstarch important in the sauce?

Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and creates a glossy, smooth coating that helps the sauce stick perfectly to the chicken and vegetables, giving the stir-fry a restaurant-quality texture.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Sliced beef, pork, or tofu work great as alternative protein options. Just ensure you adjust cooking times based on the protein you choose to make sure it’s fully cooked.

• How do I prevent my vegetables from becoming too soft when stir-frying?

The key is high heat and quick cooking. Keep your skillet or wok really hot and stir constantly. Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces and cook them for just a few minutes to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant color.

• What if I don't have all the sauce ingredients?

No worries! You can substitute ingredients. If you’re missing oyster sauce, use more soy sauce. Without rice vinegar, try a splash of apple cider vinegar. The goal is to balance sweet, salty, and tangy flavors.

Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Chinese chicken cabbage stir-fry brings authentic Asian flavors dancing across your plate with remarkable simplicity. Quick weeknight dinners find delicious salvation in this protein-packed, crisp vegetable masterpiece you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced

Vegetables:

• 4 cups green or Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional, for sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Optional Garnishes:

• Chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and aromatic seasoning blend. Let the sauce rest while preparing other components.
2. Warm a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, adding oil to create a sizzling cooking surface. Introduce chicken slices, cooking them thoroughly until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach complete doneness. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.
3. Without cleaning the skillet, introduce another drizzle of oil and quickly sauté minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced onions until their fragrances intensify and become wonderfully aromatic.
4. Toss sliced cabbage and julienned carrots into the skillet, stirring continuously to ensure even cooking. Maintain a dynamic motion to prevent burning while allowing vegetables to retain a crisp texture.
5. Reintroduce the cooked chicken into the vegetable mixture, creating a harmonious blend of proteins and produce. Pour the prepared sauce over the contents, gently tossing to ensure complete and uniform coating.
6. Allow the sauce to simmer briefly, thickening and clinging to each ingredient, creating a glossy and flavorful glaze that binds the dish together.
7. Remove from heat and garnish with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or tender noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is sliced thinly and evenly to guarantee quick, uniform cooking and prevent uneven texture.
• Use high heat when stir-frying to maintain vegetable crispness and achieve that classic wok-style caramelization without making them soggy.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use cornstarch alternatives like arrowroot powder to keep the sauce’s thickening properties intact.
• Consider adding extra protein variety by substituting chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef to create versatile meal options that suit different dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Stir-Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg