10+ Chinese Recipes You Can Easily Try at Home

Chinese cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors, textures, and aromas. You can easily bring the taste of this vibrant culture into your own kitchen with a variety of delicious recipes.

Whether you’re looking to create a simple dish for a weeknight dinner or an elaborate feast for a special occasion, there is something for everyone.

From savory stir-fries to comforting noodle soups, the options are endless. Exploring Chinese recipes not only teaches you about different cooking techniques but also allows you to enjoy meals that can be shared with family and friends.

1) Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that combines chicken, peanuts, and vegetables in a spicy sauce. It’s known for its bold flavors and crunchy texture.

To start, cut your boneless chicken into small pieces. You can use about 1.5 pounds, which is roughly 680 grams. Then, marinate the chicken to enhance its flavor.

The sauce is key to this dish. You’ll need hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Don’t forget the garlic and ginger for an extra kick!

Once your ingredients are ready, stir-fry everything in a hot pan. Add peanuts for crunch and dried red chili peppers for some heat.

Serve your Kung Pao Chicken with rice for a delicious meal. It’s sure to be a hit at your dinner table!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2-inch piece of ginger
• 1 cup peanuts
• Dried red chili peppers

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken into small pieces.
2. Marinate chicken with soy sauce and sugar.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (375°F/190°C).
4. Stir-fry chicken until cooked through.
5. Add garlic, ginger, and chili peppers.
6. Stir in peanuts and cook for another minute.
7. Serve over rice.

2) Szechwan Shrimp

Szechwan Shrimp is a delicious and spicy dish that brings bold flavors to your table. This recipe features shrimp cooked in a tangy sauce made with chili oil, garlic, and Szechuan peppercorns. The combination creates a unique taste that many people love.

You can easily make Szechwan Shrimp at home. Start with fresh shrimp for the best texture. The dish is perfect to serve with steamed rice or noodles, making for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt, to taste
• Green onions, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the chili oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add the garlic and Szechuan peppercorns, sauté for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Mix well.
5. Season with salt to taste and garnish with green onions before serving.

3) Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu is a famous dish from Sichuan cuisine. It’s known for its spicy and savory flavor. You can make it with soft tofu and ground meat, usually pork or beef.

The sauce is what makes this dish stand out. It often includes fermented bean paste, garlic, and chili for heat. This combination creates a rich and aromatic dish that you’ll love.

To enjoy this dish, serve it hot over rice. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or when you want to impress guests.

Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 1/2 pound ground pork or beef
• 2 tablespoons fermented bean paste
• 2 teaspoons chili oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 green onion, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Press the tofu to remove excess water and cut it into cubes.
2. In a pan, cook ground meat until browned.
3. Add garlic and fermented bean paste, stirring well.
4. Mix in the tofu gently and add soy sauce and chili oil.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat.
6. Serve hot, garnished with green onions.

4) Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken is a delicious dish that brings sweet and savory flavors together. It features tender chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce made with honey, garlic, and soy sauce. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

You can prepare this meal in just about 20 minutes. The chicken cooks quickly, making it a great option when you’re short on time. Pair it with rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) boneless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add chicken and cook until golden brown.
4. Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
5. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Serve with sesame seeds on top, if desired.

5) Chicken Lo Mein

Chicken Lo Mein is a tasty Chinese noodle dish that is easy to make at home. You can enjoy this meal with colorful vegetables and tender chicken in a savory sauce. It’s perfect for a quick dinner or a cozy meal with family.

To start, you will need lo mein noodles. These can be fresh or dried, depending on what you find at the store. You’ll also need chicken breast sliced thinly and a variety of vegetables like bell peppers and carrots.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces lo mein noodles
• 1 pound boneless chicken breast, sliced thin
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, peas)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the lo mein noodles according to the package instructions.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan on medium heat.
3. Add the chicken slices and cook until browned.
4. Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add cooked noodles, sesame oil, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix well.
6. Cook until everything is heated through. Enjoy!

6) Spicy Crispy Beef

Spicy crispy beef is a delicious dish that brings a tasty twist to your dinner table. You can easily prepare it at home to enjoy the same flavors as your favorite Chinese takeaway.

To make this dish, you’ll need flank steak cut into thin strips. Fry the beef until it’s crispy, and add sautéed onions and red peppers. The key is the spicy, sweet soy sauce that gives this meal its kick.

This dish pairs well with steamed rice and vegetables. It’s perfect for those who love a bit of heat in their meals.

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank steak
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut flank steak into thin strips.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Fry the beef until crispy.
4. Add onions and red peppers; sauté until soft.
5. Mix soy sauce, sugar, and chili flakes; pour over beef.
6. Stir to coat evenly and serve hot.

7) Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork is a delicious dish that combines crispy pork with a tangy sauce. The sauce usually includes ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar to create that perfect balance of flavors.

You can use tender pork chunks for this recipe, coating them for extra crunch. Adding vegetables like bell peppers and onions gives it a nice touch.

To make it even better, consider using fresh pineapple for sweetness and texture. It makes the dish vibrant and tasty.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) pork tenderloin
• 1 cup (120g) bell peppers
• 1 cup (150g) pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (10g) cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut pork into bite-sized cubes.
2. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar in a bowl.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (around 350°F/175°C).
4. Stir-fry the pork until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add bell peppers and pineapple; cook for another 3 minutes.
6. Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer.
7. Stir in cornstarch mixed with water until thickened. Serve hot.

8) Chinese Egg Roll Recipe

Making Chinese egg rolls at home is fun and tasty. These crispy treats are filled with savory ingredients that everyone loves.

For the filling, you can use ground pork, cabbage, and carrots. Adding garlic and ginger enhances the flavor. You can also toss in some mushrooms for extra texture.

You’ll need egg roll wrappers to wrap the filling. Fry them until golden brown for a delicious crunch. Serve with soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce for dipping.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 cups cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup carrots, grated
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• Egg roll wrappers
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pan, cook the ground pork over medium heat until browned.
2. Add garlic, ginger, cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Stir until vegetables soften.
3. Cool the mixture and fill the egg roll wrappers.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet. Fry the egg rolls until golden brown.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

9) Spicy Garlic Bok Choy

Spicy Garlic Bok Choy is a quick and tasty dish you can whip up in no time. This recipe brings together tender bok choy and bold garlic flavors for a delicious side.

To start, gather fresh baby bok choy. Stir-fry it with minced garlic in a bit of oil. Adding chili oil gives it a nice kick.

For added flavor, use soy sauce and a hint of sesame oil. This combo makes for a perfect pairing with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bok choy
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the bok choy and cut it in half.
2. Heat a pan over medium heat and add the chili oil.
3. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Toss in bok choy and stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes, until tender.
5. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, mix, and serve hot.

10) Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli is a popular Chinese dish loved for its savory flavor. This quick recipe features tender beef paired with crisp broccoli. It usually comes with a thick sauce that combines soy sauce and oyster sauce.

To start, marinate the beef for better flavor. Use cuts like flank steak for the best texture. Stir-frying helps keep the beef juicy and the broccoli crunchy.

This dish is perfect over rice or noodles. You can have a delicious meal ready in about 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Cooked rice, for serving

Cooking Instructions:

1. Marinate beef with soy sauce and cornstarch.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
4. Add beef and cook until it browns.
5. Add broccoli and stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes.
6. Stir in oyster sauce and mix well.
7. Serve hot over rice.