Description
This Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish combining lean chicken breast with crunchy cabbage and vibrant vegetables. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s a budget-friendly meal with bold Asian-inspired flavors that’s perfect for busy weeknights and loved by the whole family.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
Vegetables
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage (or Napa cabbage)
- 1 medium carrot, julienned (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Other
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or neutral cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (for finishing)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Slice the chicken thinly into strips. Shred the cabbage and julienne the carrots if using. Mince the garlic and ginger. Have all ingredients ready as stir-frying is quick.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water until smooth. Set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season lightly with salt and pepper, and stir-fry until golden and just cooked through, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Stir-fry aromatics: In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Add garlic and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add vegetables: Add cabbage and carrots. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until cabbage softens slightly but remains crunchy.
- Combine everything: Return chicken to the pan, pour in the sauce, and toss everything together. Cook for 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats chicken and vegetables.
- Finish and serve: Drizzle sesame oil over the stir-fry, sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner dish.
- Substitute tamari for soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
- Add more vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for extra nutrition and color.
- Prepare all ingredients before cooking because stir-fry cooks quickly.
- Adjust soy sauce and oyster sauce quantities based on preferred saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
