Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir
Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir is a quick, healthy, and flavorful stir-fry combining tender chicken with crunchy cabbage and savory Asian-inspired seasonings. Ready in under 20 minutes, it offers a balanced meal perfect for busy weeknights or light dinners with versatile options to customize to your taste and dietary needs.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein & Vegetables
- 200–300g boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
- 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced diagonally
Sauces & Oils
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or gluten-free substitute)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable or canola oil (for stir-frying)
Optional
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Thinly slice the chicken into bite-sized strips for quick cooking. Shred the green cabbage roughly to keep the crunch. Mince the garlic and ginger finely, and slice the green onions diagonally for freshness.
- Heat the Wok or Pan: Pour vegetable oil into a hot wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough to sear ingredients quickly without steaming.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken strips to the hot oil and stir-fry until opaque and slightly golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside to avoid overcooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add minced garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn them. This creates the base flavor.
- Add Cabbage and Sauces: Add shredded cabbage and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts softening but remains crunchy. Return the chicken to the wok and add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Finish and Garnish: Turn off the heat and stir in sliced green onions and optional chili flakes. This adds freshness and a touch of heat while maintaining texture.
Notes
- Use high heat to ensure quick searing and maintain crispness.
- Prep all ingredients before cooking for smooth workflow.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Cut chicken and cabbage uniformly for even cooking.
- Adjust soy and oyster sauce amounts to control saltiness and richness.
- For gluten-free, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and use gluten-free oyster sauce or a suitable substitute.
- Optional: garnish with toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, cilantro, or additional green onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Chinese chicken stir-fry, chicken cabbage stir fry, quick healthy dinner, Asian chicken stir-fry, gluten-free stir fry, quick chicken recipe