Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry is quick, crunchy, and packed with flavor. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner when you want something light but satisfying. 🍗🥬🔥
Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry
Serves
3–4
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10–12 minutes
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned (optional)
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2–3 green onions, sliced
Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tsp cornstarch (to thicken)
Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch ginger, minced
- 1–2 tbsp vegetable oil, for stir-frying
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, combine:
- Soy sauce
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
- Black pepper
Add chicken and toss to coat. Let sit 10 minutes (or longer).
2. Make the sauce
In a small bowl, whisk:
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Sugar/honey
- Chicken broth
- Cornstarch
Set aside.
3. Stir-fry the chicken
- Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
- Add chicken and cook 2–3 minutes until browned and nearly cooked through.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Stir-fry veggies
- Add a bit more oil if needed.
- Add garlic and ginger, stir 30 seconds.
- Add cabbage (and carrots/bell pepper if using).
- Stir-fry 3–4 minutes until cabbage starts to soften but still crisp.
5. Combine & finish
- Return chicken to the wok.
- Pour sauce over everything.
- Stir 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the cabbage.
- Add green onions and toss.
6. Serve
Serve hot over:
- Steamed rice
- Fried rice
- Noodles
Tips for Best Stir-Fry
- High heat is key for crisp-tender veggies.
- Slice chicken thin for fast cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan — cook in batches if needed.
Optional Upgrades
- Add chili flakes or Szechuan peppercorns
- Add toasted sesame seeds
- Add a splash of fish sauce for deeper umami
Want a low-carb version, extra spicy, or a one-pan meal prep version?