Here’s a quick and flavor-packed Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry — crisp veggies, tender chicken, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce that comes together in minutes! 🍜🔥
🥢 Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
- 3 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons oil (sesame oil or vegetable oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but adds depth)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon honey or brown sugar (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes or sriracha (optional, for heat)
🔥 Instructions
- Prep the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix chicken with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and a pinch of pepper. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Make the Sauce
- Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin, cornstarch slurry, and honey. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and stir-fry until golden brown and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Remove from pan.
- Stir-Fry the Veggies
- Add the remaining oil. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add cabbage and carrots, stir-frying 2–3 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
- Combine Everything
- Return chicken to the pan, pour in the sauce, and toss everything to coat.
- Cook another 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is glossy.
- Serve
- Garnish with green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, brown rice, or noodles.
🍽️ Tips
- For extra crunch: add bell peppers, snap peas, or water chestnuts.
- For a lighter version: use low-sodium soy sauce and skip the hoisin.
- Great for meal prep — stays delicious up to 4 days in the fridge!
Would you like me to give you a Mediterranean diet version or a Weight Watchers–friendly version of this stir-fry next?
