When the mood strikes for Asian food, nothing else will do. If you live near a great place for takeout, that can be great. But if you want to save some money, make your own, or don’t have a great place nearby these easy Chinese Chicken recipes are the perfect solution.
These easy Chinese chicken recipes are simple and delicious, and much cheaper than buying Chinese food at a restaurant. The first 4 recipes start from the same Chinese chicken base recipe and then each has its own sauce and variations. You’ll find an easy sweet and sour chicken recipe, sesame chicken, garlic chicken, an easy orange chicken recipe and more!
The base Chinese chicken recipe is breaded. If you do not want the chicken to be breaded or if you are gluten free, you can fry the bite sized pieces without the breading and then serve with the rice, sauces and add-ins, if desired.
You can split the chicken between multiple sauces depending on what you like. If you prefer to serve more than one flavor, this is a quick and easy way to make multiple styles of Chinese Chicken at the same time.
All of these recipes are delicious and they are especially popular with teenagers and picky eaters!
You can find this and other tasty recipes in our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks! (The Chinese chicken is from Volume 2 and the stir fry is from Volume 1.)
How To Make The Chinese Chicken Recipes
Chinese chicken dishes are not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to make at home. The beauty of these recipes lies in their simplicity and versatility. The first 4 Chinese chicken recipes begin with a foundational base recipe, which serves as the perfect canvas for a variety of flavorful sauces and creative variations.
- First, pour the frying oil into a medium frying pan and heat it on high until hot.
- While the oil is heating, mix the batter for the chicken. Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and water and mix until the batter has a smooth consistency. (If you don’t want your chicken to be breaded, you can skip this step and the next one. Instead, season with seasoned salt and fry unbreaded.)
- Add the chicken pieces to the batter and stir to coat them with the batter.
- Drop the chicken pieces individually into the hot oil so that they don’t clump together. (If you just pour them all in, they will fry into one large clump of breaded fried chicken pierces.)
- Be careful not to splatter the hot oil on yourself as you add the chicken to the oil. I like to use a large metal ladle or spoon to carefully drop the chicken pieces into the oil.
- Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown. As they cook, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and lay them on a plata covered with a couple paper towels to catch the extra oil drippings. (If you skipped breading, the chicken will only brown a little.)
- If you will be adding any optional vegetables that you would like sautéed, sauté them now. For example, you may want to sauté bell peppers and onions for Sweet and Sour Chicken. For a crunchier texture, only lightly sauté them.
- To make your desired sauce (recipes below): Add the sauce ingredients to a medium saucepan, stir to mix. Cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken. Then pour over the chicken or serve on the side if some people might not want sauce.
- Serve over white rice, fried rice or Chow mein noodles.
Easy Chinese Chicken Variations and Tips
- If you would like to add Chinese vegetables to the chicken as these dishes are served in your favorite restaurant, you can also lightly sauté your choice of veggies like bell peppers, chunks of white onions and carrots. Then, when the chicken and the sauce are finished, you can add the vegetables and pour the sauce over the top. The vegetables add a little extra flavor and color, and make the dish look even more like a restaurant served meal.
- If you have picky eaters, you can make the Chinese chicken base and then serve the rice, chicken, vegetables, and sauce separately so each person can customize to his or her own taste.
- If you would like fresh homemade eggrolls to go with the Chinese chicken recipes, you can make our easy eggrolls recipe and serve them along with the chicken.
- You can also make a big batch of Chinese Chicken, split it into two or three bowls, and add a different sauce to each. I’ve included the basic chicken recipe plus four sauce recipes in this post. Each of the sauce recipes makes enough sauce for two pounds of chicken.
- If you do not want the chicken to be breaded or if you are gluten free, you can fry the bite sized pieces without the breading. If you are gluten free, be sure that all of your ingredients for the sauces and add-ins are also gluten free. For example, you would want to use gluten free soy sauce.
Easy Chinese Chicken Recipe (Base)
This easy Chinese chicken recipe base can be used as a starting point for creating dishes like sweet and sour chicken, orange chicken, sesame chicken, and more. Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a light, crispy batter and fried to perfection. With a crunchy exterior and tender inside, it’s the perfect base for your favorite sauces and flavors. Serve it with rice or noodles and customize it to your taste for a delicious and satisfying meal every time.
- Yield: Makes 1 1/2-2 lbs.
Ingredients
vegetable oil, for frying
1 1/2-2 lbs. boneless chicken breast, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 cups cold water
Instructions
- In a medium frying pan, heat oil on high (at least 1 inch deep in pan) until hot.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and water until smooth in consistency.
- Add chicken to batter and stir until coated.
- Drop coated pieces individually into hot oil, frying until cooked. (Otherwise, they will clump together.)
If you like, for a little extra flavor and color, you can also lightly sauté your choice of veggies like bell peppers, chunks of white onions and carrots and add them to your choice of sauce at the end, pouring a little extra sauce over the top when the veggies are added.
(Sauce options are in the next several recipes.)
Notes
- If you do not want the chicken to be breaded or if you are gluten free, you can season the chicken with seasoned salt and fry the bite sized pieces without the breading.
These Easy Chinese Chicken Recipes Are From Our Dining On a Dime Cookbook, Volume 2.
Click here to get our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks 25% Off NOW! They’re filled with tasty recipes and tips to make your life easier!
Sauce Variations for our Chinese Chicken Recipes
If you’d like to make more than one flavor of chicken for the same meal, prepare as much chicken as your family wants. Then make two or more of the sauces and serve separately from the chicken so each person can choose his or her own sauce.
Each of these sauce recipes makes enough sauce for two pounds of chicken. If you have extra sauce, freeze the extra portion in a freezable plastic jar to thaw and use later when you want Asian food again.
Easy Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe
This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is one of the most popular Chinese chicken recipes! Crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces are smothered in a bright and flavorful sauce that’s perfectly sweet and tangy. Perfect for kids and picky eaters! To make it more fancy, you can enhance it with chunks of pineapple, bell peppers, and onions. Serve it over steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying and colorful meal.
Ingredients
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 lbs. Chinese chicken base (Recipe above)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the chicken base to a medium saucepan.
- Stir to mix.
- Cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Pour over the Chinese chicken.
Notes
Add-Ons/Variations:
If you like, you can add any of the following to the Sweet And Sour Chicken to give it more of a restaurant quality (Our kids prefer just the chicken, rice and sauce.):
- Bell pepper slices – Red, green, yellow, or orange bell peppers add color and a sweet, crunchy texture.
- White or red onions provide a slightly sweet and sharp flavor.
- Pineapple chunks are a classic addition, offering a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the sauce.
Here are some less common add-ons you can try:
- Sliced or julienned carrots add a crunchy texture and mild sweetness.
- Snow peas or snap peas
- Broccoli florets add a hearty texture and absorb the sweet and sour sauce well.
- Mandarin oranges add a refreshing, citrusy note to the dish.
Easy Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe
Savor the flavors of this tasty Chinese Sesame Chicken recipe! Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a crispy batter and tossed in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce. With flavors of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and topped with toasted sesame seeds, each bite is a burst of deliciousness. Serve it with rice or noodles for a meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. oil, butter or margarine
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tsp. minced garlic
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 lbs. Chinese chicken base (Recipe above)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the chicken base to a medium saucepan.
- Stir to mix.
- Cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Pour over the Chinese chicken.
- If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
Notes
If you like, you can try adding any of the following on to of the sesame chicken as a garnish:
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adds a nutty flavor and extra crunch.
- Chopped Green Onions: Provides a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Cilantro: Adds a burst of color and a fresh, herbal note.
- Sliced Red Chili or Chili Flakes: For a touch of heat and color.
- Crushed Peanuts: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
We normally serve Sesame Chicken with only sesame seeds and green onions as a garnish, but if you would like to add vegetables, here sre some that work well with Sesame Chicken:
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- Broccoli florets add a hearty texture and absorb the sweet and sour sauce well.
- Bell pepper slices – Red, green, yellow, or orange bell peppers add color and a sweet, crunchy texture.
- White or red onions provide a slightly sweet and sharp flavor.
- Sliced or julienned carrots add a crunchy texture and mild sweetness.
- Snow peas or snap peas
Chinese Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Chinese garlic chicken recipe is one of the most flavorful Chinese chicken recipes. Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a light, crispy batter and fried to perfection. Then the rich, garlicky sauce is poured over the top. Infused with soy sauce, a hint of ginger, and just the right amount of garlic, this dish offers a delicious blend of savory and aromatic flavors you’re sure to love!
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp. white vinegar or rice vinegar
1 cup vegetable broth or water
1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. canola oil
1 tsp. onion powder
3 Tbsp. garlic, chopped or 1 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. ginger, chopped or 1 tsp. ginger powder
2 lbs. Chinese chicken base (Recipe above)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the chicken base to a medium saucepan.
- Stir to mix.
- Cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Pour over the Chinese chicken.
Notes
Add-Ons/Variations:
If you like, you can add any of the following to the Garlic Chicken (or anything else that sounds good to you):
- Broccoli florets add a hearty texture and absorb the sweet and sour sauce well.
- Bell pepper slices – Red, green, yellow, or orange bell peppers add color and a sweet, crunchy texture.
- White or red onions provide a slightly sweet and sharp flavor.
- Sliced or julienned carrots add a crunchy texture and mild sweetness.
- Snow peas or snap peas
Easy Chinese Orange Chicken Recipe
Enjoy this delicious Chinese Orange Chicken with crispy chicken pieces covered in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. With flavors of fresh orange, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, each bite is bursting with flavor. Serve it with rice or veggies for a tasty meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar or white vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. ginger powder or 1 tsp. ginger, chopped
1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
orange zest from 1 orange
2 lbs. Chinese chicken base (Recipe above)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the orange zest and chicken base to a medium saucepan.
- Stir to mix.
- Cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add the orange zest.
- Pour over the Chinese chicken.
Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Easy Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. This quick and simple recipe combines the perfect balance of soy sauce, honey, and garlic, making it an ideal choice for a flavorful weeknight meal. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced or 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
2 lbs. Chinese chicken base (Recipe above)
Instructions
- Add the honey, soy sauce, garlic and red pepper flakes to a medium saucepan.
- Stir to mix.
- Cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken.
- Pour over the Chinese chicken.
If you prefer, here is our Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe cooked without the breading.
Easy Stir Fry Recipe – Quick And Delicious!
This easy stir fry recipe makes a quick and easy meal that is tasty and has a lot of variety! It’s healthy and easy to make in about 10 minutes so it’s one of my favorite family meals when I’m tired or just not feeling well.
Ingredients
1/2 cup leftover beef, turkey or chicken
3 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
1 Tbsp. cornstarch or 2 Tbsp. flour
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. oil
3-4 sliced ginger root peeled and minced OR 1 tsp ginger powder
2 cloves garlic, minced OR 1 tsp. garlic powder
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 onions, sliced
2 green peppers, sliced
2 cups cabbage, shredded
2 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce and hot sauce.
- Stir the cornstarch into 1 cup of water. Add to the bowl.
- In a deep skillet, simmer the oil with the ginger and garlic over medium heat.
- Add the vegetables, starting with the firmest as you dice the others. Stir after each addition.
- Sprinkle on water as needed. Make sure you do not overcook the vegetables.
- Add the cooked meat last.
- Push the vegetables to the side and add the sauce to the pot while stirring. Add additional water if needed.
- As the sauce clears, mix in the vegetables. Serve over rice. Serves 4.
What To Serve With These Chinese Chicken Recipes
White Rice. – How To Cook Rice Recipe – Easy Way To Make Rice
Easy Fried Rice Recipe – Homemade Chinese Fried Rice
Vegetable Spring Rolls
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The batter turned out beautifully. With a store bought teriyaki sauce and cooked rice, we had a lovely meal. Thanks for the recipe!