This Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry is a flavorful, healthy dish that comes together in just 25 minutes! Tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce make this a go-to recipe for quick weeknight dinners. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect served over rice or noodles.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, with just one skillet.
Healthy and Light – Packed with lean protein and fiber-rich vegetables.
Bold Flavors – Savory, garlicky sauce brings everything together.
Great for Leftovers – Reheats beautifully for next-day lunches.
Customizable – Add extra veggies or spice to suit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (for coating)
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or sesame)
- ½ small green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
For the Sauce:
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cornstarch (to thicken)
Optional Garnishes:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Additional green onions
- Crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)
Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet or wok
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Tongs or spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Toss sliced chicken in a bowl with 2 tbsp cornstarch. This helps create a light crust and keeps the chicken tender when stir-fried.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, water, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Set aside.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
In the same pan, add a splash of oil if needed. Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until veggies are slightly tender but still crisp.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour in the sauce and stir to coat everything evenly.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the meat and vegetables.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, and red pepper flakes if using.
Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Tips for the Best Stir-Fry
Prep Everything First – Stir-fry moves quickly, so have ingredients chopped and ready.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Cook in batches if needed to keep everything crisp.
Use High Heat – This helps sear the chicken and preserve vegetable texture.
Adjust the Sauce – Add a splash more soy sauce or vinegar to suit your flavor preferences.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed Jasmine Rice – Classic base that soaks up the savory sauce.
Brown Rice or Quinoa – For a more wholesome, fiber-rich option.
Noodles – Try with soba or lo mein noodles for variety.
Asian Slaw – Serve on the side for extra crunch and freshness.
How to Store & Reheat
Storing:
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Cool completely and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
Stovetop: Warm over medium heat in a skillet until heated through.
Microwave: Reheat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes! Thighs are juicier and add great flavor to this stir-fry.
2. Can I make it vegetarian?
Absolutely—swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh and use a plant-based oyster sauce.
3. What other vegetables work well?
Snow peas, mushrooms, bok choy, or broccoli all make tasty additions.
4. How do I make it spicier?
Add a chopped chili pepper to the pan or increase the red pepper flakes.
Final Thoughts
This Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry is the kind of meal that feels both comforting and fresh. With juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a savory sauce, it’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s also highly adaptable, so you can mix and match based on what you have in the fridge.
Try it once and it’ll quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation. Don’t forget to share your version and tag your photos—I’d love to see how yours turns out!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: Chinese
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 310 | Protein: 28g | Carbohydrates: 16g | Fat: 14g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 540mg

Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Description
This Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry is a flavorful, healthy dish that comes together in just 25 minutes! Tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce make this a go-to recipe for quick weeknight dinners. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect served over rice or noodles.
Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now to get the latest culinary creations you’ll love.
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
-
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
-
2 tbsp cornstarch (for coating)
-
1 tbsp oil (vegetable or sesame)
-
½ small green cabbage, thinly sliced
-
1 medium carrot, julienned
-
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
-
2 green onions, chopped
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
For the Sauce:
-
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
-
1 tbsp oyster sauce
-
1 tbsp rice vinegar
-
1 tsp sesame oil
-
1 tsp honey or brown sugar
-
2 tbsp water
-
1 tsp cornstarch (to thicken)
Optional Garnishes:
-
Toasted sesame seeds
-
Additional green onions
-
Crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Toss sliced chicken in a bowl with 2 tbsp cornstarch. This helps create a light crust and keeps the chicken tender when stir-fried.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, water, and 1 tsp cornstarch. Set aside.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
In the same pan, add a splash of oil if needed. Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until veggies are slightly tender but still crisp.
Step 5: Combine and Finish
Return the chicken to the skillet. Pour in the sauce and stir to coat everything evenly.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the meat and vegetables.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, and red pepper flakes if using.
Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
Prep Everything First – Stir-fry moves quickly, so have ingredients chopped and ready.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Cook in batches if needed to keep everything crisp.
Use High Heat – This helps sear the chicken and preserve vegetable texture.
Adjust the Sauce – Add a splash more soy sauce or vinegar to suit your flavor preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: Chinese