Description
This Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry is a fast, flavorful, and nutritious one-skillet dish perfect for busy weeknights. Loaded with tender chicken, crisp cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, and bold aromatics like garlic and ginger, it’s naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and easily customizable for keto or paleo diets. With just 30 minutes of prep and cook time, it’s the ultimate healthy comfort food.
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional, for velveting)
2 tablespoons avocado oil or peanut oil
2 cups napa cabbage or green cabbage, chopped
1 cup fresh or rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2–3 scallions, sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For the sauce:
2 tablespoons coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Instructions
Prep the chicken: Slice thinly against the grain at a 45° angle. Marinate with baking soda and starch for 15 minutes.
Make the sauce: Mix coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, and maple syrup. Stir in cornstarch slurry.
Sear the chicken: Heat a skillet over high heat. Add oil and cook chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Stir-fry vegetables: In the same skillet, add oil if needed. Add garlic, ginger, and mushrooms. Stir for 1 minute, then add cabbage. Cook 3–4 minutes.
Combine and finish: Return chicken to the skillet, pour in the sauce, and toss everything together until coated and heated through. Garnish with scallions.
Notes
Prepping ingredients ahead of time speeds up weeknight cooking.
Swap chicken for tofu, shrimp, or ground turkey.
Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting red pepper flakes.
Serve over rice, noodles, or enjoy solo for a low-carb option.
Leftovers make great stir fry tacos or fried rice the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Chinese chicken cabbage stir fry, gluten-free stir fry, healthy chicken dinner, low carb stir fry, quick Asian recipes, 30-minute meals, wok recipes