Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry (Printer View)

Quick weeknight stir-fry with tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and savory Asian-inspired sauce in just 30 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Protein

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small head green cabbage (about 1.3 lbs), cored and thinly sliced
03 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 3 green onions, sliced

→ Sauce

06 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
07 - 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 2 teaspoons sesame oil
11 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
12 - 2 tablespoons water
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar

→ Aromatics and Cooking

14 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
15 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

# Method:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, water, and sugar until well combined. Set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add cabbage, carrot, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce and toss everything together. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
06 - Stir in green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, optionally with steamed rice or noodles.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 30 minutes flat, which means you can go from hungry to satisfied without any of that takeout-waiting drama.
  • The sauce has enough depth and umami that your kitchen smells like you've been cooking for hours, not minutes.
  • Leftovers actually get better by the next day as the flavors settle in, making it perfect for meal prep without tasting like punishment.
02 -
  • Don't crowd your pan with chicken or it'll steam instead of sear, and that golden crust is what makes this dish feel intentional instead of rushed.
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start cooking, because once things are moving, there's no time to stand at the cutting board wondering if you should have julienned that carrot differently.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken against the grain so each piece is tender instead of stringy, and you'll notice the difference the moment you bite into it.
  • Have your sauce completely mixed before you start cooking so you're not whisking frantically while something's burning in the pan.
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