Description
This Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir is a quick, flavorful, and healthy stir-fry dish combining tender chicken with crisp cabbage and a savory sauce made from soy, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for busy weeknights and easily customizable with your choice of vegetables and protein.
Ingredients
Protein
- Chicken breast or thighs, boneless – 1 lb (about 450g), sliced into thin strips
Vegetables & Aromatics
- Cabbage (Napa or green) – 4 cups, thinly shredded
- Garlic cloves – 3, minced
- Ginger – 1 tablespoon, finely minced
- Scallions – 2, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Sauces & Oils
- Soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
- Sesame oil – 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable oil – 1 to 2 tablespoons (for stir-frying)
Optional
- Chili flakes – 1/2 teaspoon or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the chicken into thin, bite-sized strips to ensure quick, even cooking. Chop the cabbage into thin shreds and mince the garlic and ginger finely. Prepare scallions for garnishing. Having everything ready before you start will make cooking smooth and stress-free.
- Heat the Pan and Cook Chicken: Warm one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside, leaving the flavorful juices in the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics and Cabbage: In the same pan, add a little more vegetable oil if needed. Toss in the minced garlic and ginger and stir quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the shredded cabbage and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens slightly but still retains a satisfying crunch.
- Combine and Season: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the cabbage. Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the mixture and toss well to coat evenly. Cook together for an additional minute to heat through and allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle thinly sliced scallions and optional chili flakes on top for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve piping hot on its own or alongside steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Cut uniformly: Slice chicken and cabbage consistently for even cooking and better texture.
- Use high heat: Stir-frying works best on high heat to preserve the crispness of the veggies and develop flavor.
- Don’t crowd the pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed to avoid steaming and ensure browning.
- Fresh aromatics: Always use fresh garlic and ginger for the most vibrant flavors.
- Adjust sauce to taste: Start with less soy sauce and add gradually to avoid over-salting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Chinese chicken stir fry, cabbage stir fry, quick chicken dinner, healthy stir fry, easy Chinese recipe
