10+ Chinese Food Recipes You’ll Love to Try at Home

Chinese food recipes are loved by many because they offer a mix of flavors and easy-to-follow cooking methods. You can make tasty dishes with simple ingredients right at home.

You don’t need to be a professional cook to enjoy making and eating Chinese food.

From quick stir-fries to warming soups, these recipes help you bring authentic tastes to your kitchen. Whether you are cooking for yourself or sharing with friends, you’ll find dishes that suit your taste and skill level.

Ingredients

• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Rice vinegar
• Green onions
• Various vegetables (bell peppers, bok choy, carrots)
• Chicken, beef, or tofu (optional)
• Rice or noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and chop your vegetables.
2. Heat a pan with oil over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Brown your protein, then set it aside.
4. Stir-fry the vegetables until they are tender.
5. Add garlic and ginger, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
6. Return the protein to the pan and add soy sauce and other sauces.
7. Stir and cook until everything is heated through.
8. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

1) Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a popular Chinese dish with bold, balanced flavors. You cook marinated chicken with peanuts, dried chili peppers, and a sauce that tastes sweet, sour, and salty.

The dish has a bit of spicy heat from Sichuan peppercorns, giving it a unique tingling feeling. You can make Kung Pao Chicken quickly at home, usually in about 30 minutes.

It works great for weeknight dinners because it is tasty and doesn’t need many fancy ingredients. Stir-frying the chicken and vegetables keeps them tender and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cubed
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice wine or white wine
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 3-4 dried red chili peppers
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp black vinegar
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (around 350°F / 175°C).
3. Stir-fry dried chili peppers until fragrant, then add garlic and ginger.
4. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
5. Mix sugar, vinegar, and hoisin sauce in a bowl, then pour into the pan.
6. Toss chicken with sauce and add peanuts and green onions.
7. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, then serve hot.

This recipe is similar to the one found at Once Upon a Chef.

2) Szechwan Shrimp

Szechwan shrimp is a spicy and flavorful dish you can make at home. It uses bold ingredients like chili oil, garlic, ginger, and Szechwan peppercorns to create a nice tingling heat.

The shrimp stay tender and juicy while soaking up the spicy sauce. You’ll also use dried chili peppers and some fresh aromatics like scallions or shallots.

This dish moves quickly once you start cooking, so have everything ready. It pairs well with plain rice to balance the strong flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 1 teaspoon Szechwan peppercorns
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, minced
• 2 dried chili peppers
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the Szechwan peppercorns and dried chili peppers; cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in garlic, ginger, and scallions for 30 seconds.
4. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 3 minutes.
5. Mix in chili oil, soy sauce, and sugar. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
6. Serve hot with rice.

For more details, try this Szechuan Shrimp recipe.

3) Spicy Crispy Beef

Spicy crispy beef is a tasty dish that combines crunchy strips of beef with a flavorful chili sauce. You start by slicing the beef thinly, about 1 cm wide, to get that perfect bite.

Coat the beef and fry until crispy. The sauce is made with chili, garlic, and other spices for a nice spicy kick.

This dish is quick to make, usually ready in about 30 minutes. You can enjoy it as a main or with rice.

Ingredients

• 300g beef steak, sliced into 1 cm strips
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp chili sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, blitzed to a paste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix beef strips with soy sauce and cornflour.
2. Heat oil in a pan at 350°F (175°C).
3. Fry beef until crispy and golden.
4. Remove beef and set aside.
5. In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and onion paste. Cook briefly.
6. Add chili sauce and stir well.
7. Return beef to the pan and mix with sauce.
8. Cook for 2 minutes, then serve.

For restaurant-quality results, try this 30-minute Chinese crispy beef recipe.

4) Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork is a popular Chinese dish you can easily make at home. It mixes crispy fried pork with a tangy sauce that is both sweet and a little sour.

You’ll usually add pineapples, peppers, and onions for extra flavor and color. The pork is often double-fried to get it very crispy before it’s tossed in the sauce.

The sauce combines ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar. This creates a sticky, tasty coating that clings well to the pork pieces.

Ingredients

• Pork shoulder or loin, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Cornstarch for dredging
• Ketchup
• Vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Pineapple chunks
• Bell peppers
• Onion
• Salt
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Coat pork pieces with cornstarch and fry in hot oil twice until very crispy.
2. Mix ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and water to make the sauce.
3. Stir-fry peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks.
4. Add fried pork to the pan.
5. Pour sauce over pork and vegetables, stir well to coat.
6. Cook until sauce thickens and sticks to pork, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve hot with rice.

For details on sauce and frying tips, you can check this sweet and sour pork recipe.

5) Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken

Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken is a simple and tasty dish you can make at home. The name comes from the three main ingredients used in equal parts: soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil.

These create a rich, aromatic sauce that flavors the chicken. You cook the chicken with garlic, ginger, and fresh basil for extra scent and taste.

The dish is usually made with bone-in chicken pieces to keep it juicy. It offers a balance of salty, sweet, and savory flavors.

This recipe is quick to prepare and is great for a cozy meal. You can serve it with steamed rice to soak up the sauce.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1/3 cup rice wine
• 1/3 cup Asian sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons cane sugar
• 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• 5 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and ginger; cook until fragrant.
3. Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides.
4. Pour in soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. Stir well.
5. Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Stir in basil and chili flakes; cook for 1 more minute.
7. Serve hot with rice.

6) Hakka Style Rolled Omelette

The Hakka Style Rolled Omelette is a tasty and simple dish you can enjoy any time. It’s made by wrapping seasoned ground pork in a thin egg layer, then rolling it like a meat roll.

The egg acts as the wrapper instead of dough, which makes it light and delicate. You cook the pork first with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of wine for flavor.

Then you pour a thin layer of beaten egg in the pan. Before the egg fully sets, add the pork and carefully roll it up.

Slice into pieces for a nice presentation. This dish is perfect for sharing and fits well with steamed rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 450 grams (1 lb) ground pork
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 5 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix ground pork with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, and salt.
2. Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth.
3. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Pour a thin layer of egg.
4. When egg starts to set but is still soft, spread some pork mixture evenly on top.
5. Roll the egg and pork together carefully.
6. Remove from pan and slice into rolls.
7. Serve warm.

For more details, see this Hakka Style Rolled Omelette Recipe.

7) Lo Mein Noodles

Lo Mein noodles are a quick and tasty dish you can easily make at home. You can use spaghetti or ramen noodles if you don’t have traditional lo mein.

Toss the noodles with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a little sugar for a simple sauce. Add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms.

You can also include chicken, beef, or tofu to make it a full meal. Stir-fry everything together, and you’ll have a comforting, flavorful dish in no time.

For a fast version, some recipes take just 15 minutes to prepare. Play with the ingredients to fit what you like best or have on hand.

Ingredients

• 8 oz lo mein noodles or spaghetti
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms)
• 1 cup cooked protein (chicken, beef, tofu)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles according to package instructions.

2. Drain and set noodles aside.

3. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.

4. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.

5. Add protein and cook until heated through.

6. Toss in noodles, soy sauce, and sugar.

7. Stir well and cook for 2 more minutes before serving.

For more details, check a quick 15 Minute Lo Mein Recipe.

8) Stir Fry Vegetables

Stir fry vegetables are quick and easy to make. You can use any fresh vegetables you like.

Common choices are bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and snap peas. The key is to cook them on high heat so they stay crunchy and bright.

Use a simple sauce with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for flavor. Cook the veggies in one pan for less cleanup.

Serve it with rice or noodles for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup snap peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F / 190°C).

2. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 30 seconds.

3. Add all vegetables and stir fry for 5 minutes.

4. Pour in soy sauce and sugar, stir to coat.

5. Cook for 2 more minutes, then serve hot.

9) Cashew Chicken

Cashew chicken mixes tender chicken with crunchy cashews. Cook chicken pieces with bell peppers and sometimes broccoli.

The sauce is savory and lightly sweet, made with garlic and soy sauce. This dish is quick to make and works well for weeknight dinners.

It is less greasy than takeout but still full of flavor. Serve it over rice to make a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch with ¼ cup water.

2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

3. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through.

4. Add garlic, bell pepper, and broccoli; stir-fry for 2 minutes.

5. Pour sauce mixture into pan; cook until thickened.

6. Stir in cashews last and cook for 1 more minute.

7. Serve hot over rice.

Try this recipe for a simple and tasty homemade cashew chicken like this one.

10) Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo goo gai pan is a simple and tasty Chinese chicken stir fry. It combines tender chicken with mushrooms, snow peas, and water chestnuts.

The dish cooks quickly in a light, savory sauce that keeps the veggies crisp and flavorful. You can make this dish at home in about 30 minutes.

The sauce is mild, so it’s perfect if you want something not too spicy. Stir fry the chicken and vegetables over high heat to keep the texture fresh and the flavors bright.

Serve moo goo gai pan with plain rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
• ¼ pound mushrooms, sliced
• ¼ pound snow peas
• 1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained and sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add chicken and cook until it is no longer pink.
   Remove the chicken and set it aside.

3. Stir fry mushrooms, snow peas, and water chestnuts for 2-3 minutes.

4. Mix chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and garlic in a bowl.

5. Return the chicken to the pan.
   Pour in the sauce mixture.

6. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

7. Serve hot with rice or noodles.