23 Easy Chinese Chicken Recipes That Are Better Than Takeout

Add a Chinese twist to your everyday meals with these incredibly easy Chinese chicken recipes!

I think we can all agree that Chinese takeout is some of the most addictive comfort food out there.

But we also all know that they’re not good for your health, especially when eaten excessively.

So the next time you’re craving Chinese, why not cook them at home? 

They’ll be just as delicious, but minus all the MSG.

Plus, they’re easier to make than you think.

This collection features all your favorite Chinese takeout dishes, from sticky orange chicken to crunchy egg rolls.

Get ready to spice up your weeknight dinners with these amazing Chinese chicken recipes!

1. Easy Chinese Almond Chicken

Chinese almond chicken is an amazing stir-fry dish that can please any palate. 

It’s made with chunks of marinated chicken, crunchy almonds, snow peas, and water chestnuts.

They all get tossed together in a savory-sweet sauce that brings the flavors together in perfect harmony.

Apart from its flavors, this dish will also delight your taste buds with its variety of textures!

2. Moo Shu Chicken

Moo shu chicken is yet another splendid chicken stir-fry, this time involving cucumbers, lily flowers, and ear mushrooms.

Some of its ingredients may be hard to come by, especially if you don’t have a nearby Asian grocery.

Don’t worry, you won’t need any of them for this recipe. You swap them out for cabbage and shiitake mushrooms, instead.

The thing you can’t switch out, though, is the sauce.

A mix of hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil, this wonderfully sweet and savory sauce is non-negotiable.

3. Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Chinese chicken and broccoli is another classic stir-fry that never disappoints.

It consists of chicken chunks and broccoli florets coated with a sweet and savory sauce.

Together, they make a beautiful balance between salty and sweet, and tender and crunchy. 

Relatively low in calories, it’s an ideal meal for those looking for a light yet satisfying dinner. 

If you want to make a heartier meal, though, you can’t go wrong with steamed white rice.

4. Chinese Garlic Chicken

Here’s another remarkable yet embarrassingly easy dish to add to your weekly meal rotation.

It’s chicken and garlic tossed with a special sauce made of soy sauce, sesame, and honey. 

A delectable combination of sweet and savory flavors, this dish may be simple, but it’s an absolute show-stopper.

Basic ingredients + this recipe = one phenomenal dinner.

5. Spicy Chinese Chicken

Crank up the heat with this spicy Chinese chicken! 

This stir-fry starts with chicken chunks marinated in soy sauce mixed with garlic, ginger, and chili.

Said marinade already gives you wonderfully spicy chicken.

But that’s not all.

The chicken is also cooked in a spicy dragon sauce, which contains chili peppers, chili sauce, and garlic ginger paste, among others.

So as you can imagine, this dish isn’t for the faint of heart. Try it only if you can handle the heat.

6. Moo Goo Gai Pan

Moo goo gai pan is a Cantonese stir-fry featuring chicken, mushrooms, and Chinese white cabbage.

And of course, no stir-fry is complete without a sauce.

This one uses a mix of sesame oil, chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine.

Together, they create an umami-rich glaze that brings out even more of the ingredients’ flavors.

7. Chicken Chow Mein

This popular stir-fry is one of the most popular Chinese noodle recipes around.

It consists of chow mein noodles, meat (typically chicken), vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. 

There’s no strict rule about which ingredients to include!

So while this recipe makes a mean chow mein, feel free to make it your own.

8. Best Chicken Lo Mein

It’s perhaps one of the most popular Chinese classics in America, and it’s not hard to see why.

A combination of egg noodles, chicken, vegetables, and a savory sauce, this dish is impossible to resist.

Also, in case you’d like to know the difference between chow mein and lo mein, you’ll find a good explanation here.

9. 3-Ingredient Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a Chinese takeout item that’s won the hearts of many. 

What makes this orangey concoction so special? 

Two things: the crunchy chunks of battered and fried chicken, and the secret sauce.

And surprisingly, the sauce is incredibly easy to make! 

Made with just orange marmalade, soy sauce, and BBQ sauce, the sauce is simple.

But it bursts with an irresistible sweet and savory flavor.

Its thick and sticky viscosity helps coat the chicken well, to boot.

10. General Tso’s Chicken

Everyone loves the classic General Tso’s chicken, but what if you could make it yourself at home? 

With this copycat recipe, you can recreate the same deliciousness found in the popular chain right in your own kitchen. 

Made with pantry staples like soy sauce, brown sugar, and chili paste, it’s super simple to whip up. 

The best part of all is that it tastes just as good as the real thing! 

11. Kung Pao Chicken

Kung pao chicken is a traditional Szechuan Chinese stir-fry dish with spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. 

It is made with chicken, peanuts, bell peppers, and chilies bathed in a sweet-savory glaze.

And the good news is it’s quite easy to make at home. 

The recipe is very forgiving and can be adapted to suit your taste!

12. Sesame Chicken

From the crunchy chicken to the glorious sauce, sesame chicken is a true delight.

It has an amazing combination of crispy fried chicken and sweet-spicy-savory Sauce. 

Round out the dish with fried rice or lo mein, and enjoy.

13. Sweet and Sour Chicken

It’s another Chinese classic that combines two fantastic flavors in one unforgettable meal.

Deep-fried battered chicken is tossed in a sweet and sour sauce.

Ingredients may vary, and it’s fine, as long as the resulting sauce is thick, sweet, sour, and savory.

I’ve tried many recipes, but this one is my absolute fave.

It uses pineapple juice, sugar, and ketchup, among others, creating a perfect blend of flavors.

14. Easy Chinese Chicken Fried Rice

Chinese chicken fried rice is a hearty and tasty meal no one can resist. 

The combination of rice, chicken, veggies, and a heavenly sauce is just pure bliss.

It’s not just crazy addictive, but it’s also a cinch to make and customize.

Just like many recipes in this round-up, you’re free to toss in whatever meats and veggies you please.

Chinese chicken fried rice will surely be a surefire hit at the dinner table.

15. Chicken Pot Stickers

Although potstickers often contain ground beef, pork, or shrimp, chicken makes a fantastic filling, too.

While the filling is important, the star of this dish is definitely the wrapper. More specifically, how crisp it is at the bottom.

This recipe tells you everything you need to perfect the technique.

16. Mongolian Chicken

Mongolian chicken is an exquisite dish that transports any eater to the exotic lands of Mongolia.

This stir-fry features chicken chunks marinated in ginger and chilies, and then tossed in a sweet soy glaze.

Each bite bursts with a tantalizingly sweet and spicy taste, accompanied by a wonderful aroma of garlic and ginger. 

17. Szechuan Chicken

Szechuan chicken is known for its bright red appearance and spicy flavor. 

It consists of diced chicken cooked with garlic and ginger, among other ingredients. 

But what takes it to the next level is the sauce. 

Made of Szechuan peppercorns, Chinese wine, vinegar, and soy sauce, the sauce adds sweet and spicy flavors to the savory chicken.

18. Chicken Chop Suey

Chicken chop suey is an interesting dish with an equally intriguing meaning: “odds and ends.” 

It originated in Cantonese cuisine and is made of chicken, bell peppers, celery, onions, and a savory broth.

It’s been around for centuries, and it continues to delight tastebuds to this day.

19. Panda Express Chicken Egg Rolls

If you’re looking for a copycat recipe for Panda Express chicken egg rolls, look no further. 

From the meaty filling to the crispy-crunchy skin, this recipe is spot on.

Don’t forget to serve these golden fried goodies with sweet chili sauce for dipping! They won’t be as addictive without it.

20. Chinese Cashew Chicken

Cashew chicken is a beloved dish originating from the Szechuan province in China. 

It’s stir-fried chicken combined with vegetables, cashews, spices, and an epic oyster-sesame-soy sauce.

The umami flavors are through the roof, and the crispness of the cashews gives it a delightful crunch. 

I’ll have some extra rice with that, please!

21. Chinese Chicken with Stir-Fry Vegetables

Chinese chicken with stir-fry vegetables is a savory dish that you can make in no time!

This classic dish combines chicken and veggies. 

It gets its bold flavors from the sauce, which is a blend of soy sauce, garlic, honey, and ginger. 

If you’re wanting something extra filling, toss in your favorite noodles to make the ‘stir-fry’ complete.

22. Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

A steaming bowl of Chinese chicken noodle soup has the power to lift your spirits like nothing else.

Every slurp of tender noodles and flavorful broth is like a giant hug and a shoulder to cry on. 

Every bite of chicken, bok choy, and carrots will fill your hearts and bellies with warmth and hoy.

Without a doubt, this soup is peak comfort food.

23. Chinese Chicken on a Stick

These skewers are filled with cut-up chicken that’s marinated in a savory sauce and then air fried to golden perfection.

From the crisp and juicy chicken to the luscious glaze, there’s nothing quite like these Chinese-inspired skewers.

As a bonus, they’re healthier than the typical fried chicken.

The air fryer helps to give the chicken its unique crunchy texture without using oil.

Tasty + healthy = happy tummy!