How Do You Make Chinese Chicken: 23 Delicious Recipes That Beat Takeout

Are you tired of ordering Chinese takeout that’s loaded with MSG and who-knows-what-else? I know I am! After years of spending way too much money on delivery, I finally decided to learn how to make Chinese chicken dishes at home. Trust me it’s easier than you think and the results are mind-blowing!

In this article, I’m gonna share everything you need to know about making authentic Chinese chicken at home – from the secret restaurant technique that makes chicken super tender (called “velveting”) to 23 amazing recipes that’ll make your family think you’ve been hiding professional chef skills all this time.

The Chinese Restaurant Secret: Velveting Chicken

Ever wondered why Chinese restaurant chicken is so incredibly tender? There’s actually a secret technique called “velveting” that Chinese chefs use and it’s ridiculously simple!

How to Velvet Chicken:

1. For every 250g/8oz of chicken breast strips or pieces, toss with 3/4 tsp baking soda
2. Marinate for 20 minutes (for slices) or 30 minutes (for bite-sized pieces)
3. Rinse well under running water
4. Pat dry with paper towels
5. Cook according to your recipe!

This simple technique breaks down the chicken fibers so the meat becomes much softer inside and on the surface The texture becomes “velvet-like” – hence the name!

Note: I only tenderize chicken breast because it’s so lean. Chicken thigh is usually tender and juicy enough without this step.

Essential Ingredients for Chinese Chicken Dishes

Before diving into recipes, let’s talk about the pantry staples you’ll need for most Chinese chicken dishes:

• Soy sauce – The foundation of many Chinese sauces
• Sesame oil – Adds nutty flavor (a little goes a long way!)
• Shaoxing wine – Chinese cooking wine that adds depth
• Oyster sauce – Thick, savory sauce that adds umami
• Hoisin sauce – Sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for glazes
• Rice vinegar – Adds brightness and acidity
• Garlic and ginger – The aromatic base of many dishes
• Cornstarch – Used for thickening sauces and coating chicken

Now, let’s get cooking with these amazing Chinese chicken recipes!

23 Easy Chinese Chicken Recipes You Can Make at Home

1. Easy Chinese Almond Chicken

This stir-fry combines marinated chicken chunks with crunchy almonds, snow peas, and water chestnuts in a savory-sweet sauce. The variety of textures makes this dish especially delightful – from the tender chicken to the crunch of the nuts and vegetables.

2. Moo Shu Chicken

Traditionally made with exotic ingredients like lily flowers and ear mushrooms, this recipe simplifies things by using cabbage and shiitake mushrooms instead. But don’t compromise on the sauce! The mix of hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil is what makes this dish amazing.

3. Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

A classic stir-fry that’s actually pretty healthy! Chicken chunks and broccoli florets get coated in a sweet-savory sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Serve with steamed rice for a complete meal.

4. Chinese Garlic Chicken

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the most amazing. This dish combines chicken and garlic with a special sauce made of soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey. It might be basic, but it’s absolutely phenomenal!

5. Spicy Chinese Chicken

Not for the faint of heart! This fiery dish features chicken marinated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili, then cooked in a spicy “dragon sauce” containing chili peppers, chili sauce, and garlic-ginger paste. Prepare to sweat!

6. Moo Goo Gai Pan

This Cantonese stir-fry features chicken, mushrooms, and Chinese white cabbage in a flavorful sauce made with sesame oil, chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine. It’s umami heaven!

7. Chicken Chow Mein

One of the most popular Chinese noodle dishes ever! It combines chow mein noodles with chicken, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. The best part? There’s no strict rule about which ingredients to include, so you can customize it to your liking.

8. Best Chicken Lo Mein

Similar to chow mein but with a different noodle preparation. This dish uses egg noodles, chicken, and vegetables in a savory sauce. It’s addictively good and surprisingly easy to make at home.

9. 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Orange chicken might seem complicated, but this recipe makes it super easy! The secret sauce requires just orange marmalade, soy sauce, and BBQ sauce. Together, they create that perfect sticky, sweet-savory coating for crispy chicken pieces.

10. General Tso’s Chicken

Everyone loves this takeout classic! Made with pantry staples like soy sauce, brown sugar, and chili paste, this copycat recipe tastes just like the restaurant version but without all the mystery ingredients.

11. Kung Pao Chicken

This traditional Szechuan dish combines chicken, peanuts, bell peppers, and chilies in a sweet-savory glaze. The recipe is very forgiving and can be adjusted to suit your spice preference.

12. Sesame Chicken

With its crunchy fried chicken pieces and sweet-spicy-savory sauce, sesame chicken is truly irresistible. Serve it with fried rice or lo mein for a complete meal.

13. Sweet and Sour Chicken

This Chinese classic combines two fantastic flavors in one unforgettable dish. The sauce typically uses pineapple juice, sugar, and ketchup to create that perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that coat the crispy chicken.

14. Easy Chinese Chicken Fried Rice

Hearty and delicious, chicken fried rice is a complete meal in itself. The combination of rice, chicken, veggies, and sauce is pure comfort food. Feel free to customize with whatever meats and veggies you have on hand.

15. Chicken Pot Stickers

While potstickers often contain ground beef, pork, or shrimp, chicken makes a fantastic filling too! The key to perfect potstickers is getting that crispy bottom while maintaining a tender wrapper everywhere else.

16. Mongolian Chicken

This stir-fry features chicken chunks marinated in ginger and chilies, then tossed in a sweet soy glaze. Each bite bursts with sweet and spicy flavors, complemented by the aroma of garlic and ginger.

17. Szechuan Chicken

Known for its bright red appearance and spicy flavor, Szechuan chicken combines diced chicken with a sauce made from Szechuan peppercorns, Chinese wine, vinegar, and soy sauce. It’s got a unique numbing spiciness that’s totally addictive.

18. Chicken Chop Suey

The name literally means “odds and ends,” reflecting its origins as a dish made with whatever was available. It typically includes chicken, bell peppers, celery, onions, and a savory broth.

19. Panda Express Chicken Egg Rolls

This copycat recipe nails the Panda Express chicken egg rolls from the meaty filling to the crispy wrapper. Don’t forget to serve with sweet chili sauce for dipping!

20. Chinese Cashew Chicken

This beloved dish from China’s Szechuan province combines stir-fried chicken with vegetables and cashews in an oyster-sesame-soy sauce. The crispness of the cashews gives it a delightful crunch against the tender chicken.

21. Chinese Chicken with Stir-Fry Vegetables

A versatile dish that combines chicken and vegetables in a sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, honey, and ginger. For a more filling meal, add your favorite noodles to complete the stir-fry.

22. Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

There’s nothing more comforting than a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup! This Chinese version combines tender noodles, chicken, bok choy, and carrots in a flavorful broth. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.

23. Chinese Chicken on a Stick

These skewers feature chicken that’s marinated in a savory sauce and then air-fried to golden perfection. They’re not only delicious but also healthier than the typical fried chicken since the air fryer requires little to no oil.

Tips for Perfect Chinese Chicken Every Time

After trying many of these recipes myself, I’ve collected some tips that’ll help you achieve restaurant-quality results:

1. Always velvet your chicken breast – It makes such a difference!
2. Prep everything before you start cooking – Chinese cooking goes FAST once you start
3. Use high heat – This gives you that authentic “wok hei” flavor
4. Don’t overcrowd your pan – Cook in batches if necessary
5. Season your wok or pan properly – This prevents sticking and adds flavor
6. Adjust spice levels to your preference – Most recipes can be made milder or spicier
7. Fresh ginger and garlic are worth it – They taste much better than dried versions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trust me, I’ve made ALL these mistakes while learning to cook Chinese food:

• Not patting the chicken dry – Excess moisture prevents browning
• Overcooking the chicken – It becomes tough and rubbery
• Not having ingredients prepped – Stir-fries move quickly!
• Using low heat – This causes steaming rather than stir-frying
• Skipping the marinade – It adds so much flavor
• Using the wrong oil – Use oils with high smoke points like vegetable or peanut oil
• Adding sauce too early – It should go in toward the end of cooking

Making Chinese chicken at home isn’t just healthier and cheaper than takeout – it’s also incredibly satisfying! With the velveting technique and these 23 amazing recipes, you’re well-equipped to create authentic Chinese chicken dishes right in your own kitchen.

I’d love to know which recipe you try first! My personal fave is the Chinese Cashew Chicken – those crunchy nuts with the tender chicken pieces are just perfect together.

So next time you’re craving Chinese food, skip the delivery app and head to your kitchen instead. Your taste buds (and wallet) will thank you!

Chinese restaurants tenderize chicken using the “velveting” technique, which involves marinating sliced chicken in a mixture of cornstarch and other ingredients like oil, water, soy sauce, or egg whites, to create a protective layer that keeps the meat tender and moist during high-heat cooking. Some methods also use baking soda to break down muscle fibers, though it’s often rinsed off before cooking.

Chinese chicken seasoning typically relies on a base of soy sauce, fresh ginger and garlic, along with Chinese five-spice powder for its signature warm, sweet, and peppery flavor.