10+ Chinese Cooking Recipes to Try at Home

Chinese cooking offers a rich tapestry of flavors, techniques, and traditions. You can elevate your home meals with these dishes.

From stir-fries to dumplings, each dish tells a story. Bring a taste of China to your table.

You can discover the art of Chinese cooking with the right ingredients and a bit of guidance. Create delicious meals that impress family and friends.

Enjoy the vibrant flavors and aromas that make Chinese cuisine so beloved.

1) Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken brings together tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and colorful vegetables. The savory sauce gives the dish bold flavors.

You can adjust the heat with dried chili peppers. Some recipes include Sichuan pepper for extra spice.

This meal works well for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast, diced
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2-3 dried red chili peppers
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic, ginger, and dried chili peppers. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
4. Add marinated chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Mix in peanuts and bell pepper. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Add hoisin sauce and stir well. Serve hot.

2) Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Beef and broccoli stir fry pairs tender beef with fresh broccoli in a savory sauce. This quick meal is perfect for busy nights.

Choose thinly sliced beef, such as flank steak. Use bright green, crisp broccoli for the best texture.

Soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of sugar create a delicious glaze for the dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) flank steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C).
2. Add the beef and cook until browned.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Add broccoli and cook until tender.
5. Mix sauce ingredients and pour into the pan.
6. Stir until everything is well coated and heated through.

3) Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu is a classic Sichuan dish with bold flavors. Soft tofu cooks in a spicy, aromatic sauce.

Use minced pork and Sichuan peppercorns to balance heat and flavor. You can adjust the spice level to your liking.

Mapo Tofu pairs well with steamed rice.

Ingredients

• 1 block of soft tofu
• 1/2 pound (225g) ground pork
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons chili bean paste
• 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken broth
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the tofu into small cubes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).

4) Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork combines crispy pork with a tangy sauce. Colorful veggies like bell peppers and pineapples add freshness.

You can use simple ingredients to make this dish. Serve it over rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) pork tenderloin
• 1 cup (120 g) bell peppers, chopped
• 1 cup (150 g) pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup
• 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces.
2. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar in a bowl.
3. Coat the pork in cornstarch.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
5. Fry the pork until golden brown.
6. Add bell peppers and pineapple to the pan.
7. Pour the sauce over the pork and veggies.
8. Cook until everything is heated through. Serve hot.

5) Chicken Congee

Chicken congee is a comforting rice porridge enjoyed in many Chinese households. It’s warm, filling, and easy to customize.

To make chicken congee, use rice, chicken, and broth. Add ginger for extra flavor and vegetables for more nutrition.

This dish works well for breakfast or as a soothing meal when you need comfort. It’s also a great way to use leftover chicken.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of rice
• 6 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 tablespoon of ginger, sliced
• Optional toppings: green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash the rice under cold water until it runs clear.
2. In a large pot, combine rice, chicken broth, and ginger.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat.
4. Cook for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the shredded chicken and heat through.
6. Serve with your choice of toppings.

6) Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Char Siu is a Chinese BBQ dish known for its sweet and savory flavor. The marinade makes the pork tender and rich in taste.

Use pork shoulder or loin for the best results. Soy sauce, honey, and spices give it a distinct flavor.

Bake or grill the pork to add a smoky taste.

Ingredients

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup Chinese rice wine
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 pound pork shoulder or loin

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
2. Add the pork to the marinade and let it soak for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Place the pork on a baking tray. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
5. Brush with extra marinade halfway through.
6. Cook until the pork is caramelized and cooked through.

7) Vegetable Lo Mein

Vegetable Lo Mein is easy to make at home. Stir-fry noodles with a mix of colorful vegetables for a quick meal.

Use vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli. Have Lo Mein noodles ready.

Ingredients

• Lo Mein noodles
• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Onions
• Soy sauce
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the Lo Mein noodles according to package instructions.
2. Chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F / 175°C).
4. Add the carrots and fry until golden brown, then set aside.
5. Stir-fry the onions, bell peppers, and broccoli until tender.
6. Combine the noodles and veggies. Add soy sauce to taste.
7. Serve hot.

8) Ma La Dry-Fried Green Beans

Ma La Dry-Fried Green Beans offer a spicy kick from Sichuan cuisine. The “Ma La” flavor means numbing and spicy.

Use fresh green beans, dried chilies, ginger, and garlic. Dry-frying gives the beans a nice blistered texture.

Chilies add heat, while ginger and garlic add depth. Serve this dish as a side or main course.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) green beans
• 3-4 dried red chilies
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (375°F or 190°C).
2. Add green beans and dry-fry until blistered, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic, ginger, and dried chilies. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add soy sauce and mix well.
5. Season with salt and serve warm.

9) Shanghai Soup Dumplings

Shanghai soup dumplings, or xiao long bao, are savory treats filled with juicy pork and rich broth. Making them at home can be fun.

Gather ground pork, minced garlic, minced ginger, and vermicelli rice noodles. Other ingredients help create the flavorful broth.

First, prepare the filling and mix all the ingredients. Roll out your dough and shape it into small circles.

Fill each circle with the mixture and seal them. Steam the dumplings at 212°F (100°C) until cooked through.

Enjoy them hot with dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup cooked vermicelli rice noodles
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• Broth ingredients

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pork, garlic, and ginger to prepare the filling.

2. Roll out the dough and cut it into circles.

3. Place the mixture in each circle.

4. Seal the dumplings.

5. Steam at 212°F (100°C) until cooked. Enjoy!

10) Three Cup Chicken

Three Cup Chicken is a popular Taiwanese dish with simple, delicious flavors.

The name comes from its three main ingredients: soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine.

To cook this dish, gather chicken, garlic, ginger, and fresh basil.

These ingredients create a rich sauce that soaks into the chicken.

Serve Three Cup Chicken over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken pieces
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup sesame oil
• 1/3 cup rice cooking wine
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, sliced
• A handful of fresh basil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and ginger. Sauté until fragrant.

3. Add chicken pieces. Brown them.

4. Pour in soy sauce and rice cooking wine.

5. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

6. Add basil just before serving.

Enjoy!