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Chinese chicken stir-fry
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Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry (Quick and Healthy)

Katie WellsFeb 15, 2022
Reading Time: 4 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry (Quick and Healthy)
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  • How to Make Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry
  • Stir-Fry: The Perfect Go-To Meal for Wellness Mamas
  • Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

I love the ease of making stir-frys for dinner. This Chinese chicken stir-fry recipe is one of those that makes life easier on a busy night. With just a few ingredients and only one pan, it can be on the table in half an hour. Although I try my best to meal plan, it’s always good to have a meal like this up your sleeve for those nights that just don’t go your way!

Since my whole family loves Asian flavors, this is always a popular choice. In my opinion, this recipe beats takeout any night!

How to Make Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry

To make this super simple stir-fry, you need to slice (or dice) and marinate the chicken first. We’re not talking about hours of marinating here. Just a few minutes in some rice vinegar and spices. You can either use Chinese five spice for the spices or just ground ginger, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Also, rice vinegar is pretty easy to find these days, but apple cider vinegar is just fine if you don’t have any.

Quickly stir-fry the chicken followed by the vegetables. My favorite kind of cabbage to use for this is Napa cabbage. It has softer and thinner leaves and cooks in just a couple of minutes. Again, though, you can use regular green cabbage. The same is true of all the veggies in this recipe. Use whatever you like and have on hand.

Green ebook cover with spices, bears, and veggies on a table

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Return everything to the pan and drizzle with coconut aminos, honey, and sesame oil, and heat gently until everything is warmed. Are you new to coconut aminos? It is often used as a substitute for soy sauce in recipes. Made from the sap of coconut trees, coconut aminos boasts a number of health benefits and avoids the soy, gluten, wheat, and MSG found in most commercially produced soy sauce.

I like to toast some sesame seeds in a separate skillet while the vegetables are cooking. Toasting them really brings out the flavor and the kids love sprinkling them on top of their bowls. I usually serve this over white rice or cauliflower rice, but it’s tasty on its own too. If you’re going to use rice, just start it cooking first and it’ll be ready when the stir-fry is done.

The slight sweetness of the honey and coconut aminos pairs well with the tang of the apple cider vinegar and the nuttiness of the sesame seeds. It’s got all the flavors of comfort food with the freshness of healthy ingredients!

Yum!

Stir-Fry: The Perfect Go-To Meal for Wellness Mamas

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… stir-fry is my go-to. Whatever the flavors and ingredients used, stir-fry is always quick and easy and makes it simple to incorporate lots of seasonal veggies.

In fact, I bet you’ll find more stir-fry variations in my recipes than almost any other. I’ve put together some pretty crazy combinations trying to use up the ingredients in my fridge, but it usually comes out tasty. Practice makes perfect! And after a while, we’ve settled on our family favorites. (All of which I include in my Wellness Mama Cookbook, of course!)

Here are some of the stir-fry combinations we make most often:

  • Apple Chicken Stir-Fry – Fresh and healthy with fresh fennel bulb.
  • Beef and Zucchini Stir-Fry – This one uses a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles for a different texture.
  • Curried Shrimp and Vegetable Stir-Fry – Curry can’t be beaten for flavor or its anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • Moroccan Chicken Stir-Fry – Bold flavors of cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric break out of the usual stir-fry mode. Add raisins or olives for a sweet or salty twist.
  • Pizza Stir-Fry – Yes… pizza! This recipe replicates all the flavors of pizza with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and marinara sauce over veggies. Add cheese if you’re not dairy-free.
  • Sausage Squash Stir-Fry – Made with summer squash for a super fast meal.
  • Vegetable Chicken Stir Fry – Chicken stir-fry without any of the Asian flavors. Features zucchini and broccoli instead of cabbage.
Chinese chicken stir-fry

Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Katie Wells
A simple stir-fry using chicken, Napa cabbage, and spices with coconut aminos, honey, and vinegar.
4.64 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6
Calories 336 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 TBSP Chinese five spice (or ½ tsp each ground ginger garlic powder, salt, and pepper)
  • 3 TBSP rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 3 TBSP butter (or coconut oil, divided)
  • 1 head Napa cabbage (or green cabbage)
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 TBSP sesame seeds
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos
  • ¼ cup honey (optional)
  • ½ tsp sesame oil

Instructions
 

  • Thinly slice the chicken.
  • Place the chicken in a bowl and season with the Chinese five spice (or alternate spices) and the rice vinegar.
  • Stir and let sit 5 minutes to marinate.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of butter or coconut oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chicken and saute until cooked through and slightly brown.
  • While the chicken is cooking, thinly slice the cabbage, bell pepper, and onion.
  • Remove the chicken to a clean bowl.
  • Add the remaining butter or coconut oil to the skillet and saute the sliced vegetables until slightly softened.
  • While the vegetables are cooking, toast the sesame seeds in a small skillet on the stove over low heat until lightly browned and fragrant.
  • Add the chicken back to the skillet and add the coconut aminos and honey, stirring to combine.
  • Drizzle with sesame oil.
  • Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top and serve.

Notes

We like this stir-fry as is, but I do sometimes serve it over white rice or cauliflower rice. If you’re using rice, just start the rice cooking first and it’ll be ready with the stir-fry is done.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 35gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 467mgPotassium: 1022mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 1322IUVitamin C: 69mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

What meal do you count on for busy nights? Do you have a favorite chicken stir-fry recipe (or other kind of stir-fry)? Please share!

This easy chicken stir-fry is budget friendly and delicious. It comes together quickly for a fast and easy meal.

Category: Poultry Recipes, Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (13 Comments)

  1. Arlyn

    February 27, 2018 at 7:02 PM

    5 stars
    I just tried this recipe, I thank you Katie, ive been following you this is the first recipe ive tried of yours.. And my picky autistic little boy has tried cabbage for the first time THanks .

    Reply
  2. Brenda Rodriguez

    July 17, 2017 at 2:37 PM

    This has so much flavor. I made this on meal prep Sunday, tastes just as good reheated. My husband and 2 year old loved it!

    Reply
  3. Savannah

    April 18, 2017 at 5:16 PM

    5 stars
    Mmmmm, this looks soo tasty! Easy stir fry recipes are a go-to here in my house, because they are so easy and quick to whip up! I can’t wait to give this one a try – thanks for sharing!! <3

    Reply
  4. Hélène

    April 16, 2017 at 12:50 PM

    In the pic, I see asparagus and yellow peppers added and no cabbage. Is there a pic for the cabbage recipe here?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      April 16, 2017 at 8:38 PM

      The top pic is the basic cabbage recipe. The bottom pic has green beans and peppers as variations. I prefer the basic one in the top picture.

      Reply
  5. Gina

    January 11, 2017 at 11:17 PM

    looks delicious!

    Reply
  6. Michelle

    October 27, 2015 at 6:37 PM

    4 stars
    We made this for dinner tonight. Loved it!! I added sesame seed oil but no seeds. Also no viniger or corn starch. Came out really good though.

    Reply
  7. Suzan L Lee

    July 23, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    5 stars
    I stumbled upon your website by searching for a Napa Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe. This recipe turned out to be fabulous. I have been all over your site and am so thrilled to have found you. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Eva

    September 10, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    Super mid week recipe! Easy, quick, healthy and delicious!
    I did add chinese 5 spices, and did everything else as prescribed. Will come back to this!

    Reply
  9. Tricia

    April 26, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    I made this last night – it is delicious!! 

    Reply
  10. Christina

    April 28, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    This is SO delicious!!! I didn’t have any apple cidar vinegar or sesame seeds, but it was amazing. I also added carrots and orange peppers to it.

    Reply
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