32 Chinese Recipes for Homemade Takeout (2024)

When we think about Chinese food, most of us think of takeout.

But most Chinese recipes can be made right at home with no fancy equipment!

As one of the most loved cuisines in the world, you’ll love learning how to make those mouthwatering and satisfying Chinese dishes.

From stir-fries to spring rolls to Chinese peanut sauce, this recipe round-up proves just how easy it is to cook good Chinese food at home.

Expect a balanced flavor, inviting aroma, and no leftovers from 26 of the best Chinese recipes of all time!

30+ Chinese Food Recipes to Try Tonight

1. Chicken Chop Suey

Chop suey is a stir-fry vegetable dish that’s cooked with meats and then bounded by a flavorful sauce.

But the best part is that sauce! It’s the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and salty. And only requires pantry staples.

For the best flavor, serve this Chop Suey recipe over fluffy rice or noodles.

2. Chinese Noodle Soup

This is one of the quickest Chinese noodle recipes I’ve ever tried.

There’s no need to follow a specific list of ingredients. Any noodles, any protein, and any vegetables will do!

The key ingredient is the Asian-inspired soup broth, which may or may not require a trip to the Asian market.

It’s the perfect comfort food for those chilly winter nights.

3. Cashew Chicken

This easy-peasy recipe doesn’t require a wok. You’ll only need a large non-stick skillet and a couple of classic Chinese flavorings.

This dish features roasted cashew nuts and stir-fried chicken tossed and cooked together in a garlic sauce.

It tastes similar to what you can get at Chinese restaurants, only fresher and more affordable.

4. Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli is one of my go-to dishes when looking for a balanced meal that’s a cinch to make.

For this recipe, all you’ll need is one skillet and 15 minutes of your time.

The pairing of crunchy broccoli and tender beef is iconic. But wait until you add the thick, sweet-savory sauce. It’s Asian flavor at its finest!

5. Chinese Almond Chicken

This recipe has a little of everything! Juicy chicken, colorful veggies, and a spectacular crunch from almonds.

But don’t forget that amazing sauce. The sweet and savory sauce oozes over every inch of this colorful dinner dish.

It’s the perfect combo of Chinese flavors and oh-so-healthy!

6. Dan Dan Noodles

Dan dan noodles carry the flavor of Szechuan cuisine, which is very, very spicy. So for this noodle dish, expect the sauce to be fiery!

A bunch of leafy greens, chopped peanuts, and scallions are thrown into the mix to create layers of flavors.

Of course, the dried white noodles and meat mixture make this dish oh-so-filling.

7. Chinese Cucumber Salad

From a flaming hot dish, let’s go to something light and refreshing: Chinese cucumber salad.

This Asian-inspired dish has a unique flavor, thanks to the combination of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and garlic.

For the most flavorful salad, smash the cucumber first before cutting it. This creates cucumber slices with a coarse texture that helps with absorbing the sauce.

8. Chow Mein

Chow mein is a traditional Chinese dish that’s quick-cooked, so the noodles are light and perfectly crunchy.

Using this recipe, you’ll have a restaurant-quality chow mein ready in 30 minutes. It’s that easy!

Along with bok choy, bean sprouts, and mushrooms, the noodles are tossed in a delicious oyster-based sauce.

9. Lo Mein

Looking for an easier Asian noodle dish to prepare? Look no further!

The secret to this yummy stir-fry dish is a good quality soy sauce that needs to be mixed with sesame oil and a pinch of sugar.

While chow mein is known for its nice crunch, lo mein noodles are so soft that they absorb plenty of the dish’s sauce.

10. Chicken Fried Rice

This easy chicken fried rice will hit your table in 30 minutes or less.

Garlic powder and soy sauce give bold flavors to this dish. But if you marinate the chicken before adding it to the rice mix, you’ll get a much more flavorful fried rice.

Drizzling some sesame oil into the rice brings out an Asian flavor. If you like to heat things up, simply add a little chili paste.

11. Chinese Spring Rolls

Chinese spring rolls are indeed a delight to eat. They’re deliciously crispy and packed with a balanced mix of veggies and meat. Or you can go meatless if you like.

These golden, crispy rolls will be a family favorite.

They are best with a side of Worcestershire or sweet chili sauce. It adds a wonderful depth to the rolls’ blend of flavors!

12. Chinese Chicken Salad

Now here’s a healthy Chinese salad idea I can get behind!

As a super versatile recipe, you can add more veggies to this salad to make it healthier.

The sesame-vinaigrette sauce and marinated chicken are the salad’s main sources of flavor.

Top everything off with chow mein noodles and almonds to add bulk and some nice crunch.

13. Homemade Char Siu

Char Siu seems like one of those complicated dinner dishes, but it’s easier than you think.

The pork earns that delightful red hue, thanks to the Chinese five-spice blend, that also delivers intense flavor.

It’s the perfect balance of savory pork, sweetness, and just a touch of spice. Bonus points: it comes together in under an hour.

14. Chinese Green Beans

Here’s another Chinese dish that’s easy-breezy to make.

This recipe requires a couple of simple ingredients, such as soy sauce, chili garlic paste, rice vinegar, and green beans.

If you have a wok, it’s helpful. It allows for high heat, quick-cooking that will help you get the right texture.

These Chinese green beans are a staple in Szechuan cuisine, so expect a relatively strong spicy kick!

15. Peanut Noodles

Noodle lovers won’t hesitate to feast on this mouthwatering dish.

These peanut noodles are flavored with a hearty sauce made with creamy peanut butter and classic Asian spices.

These include dark soy sauce and fish sauce for a savory taste, lime juice to brighten things up, and sesame oil and chili oil for a flavor bomb.

16. Orange Chicken

This orange chicken recipe only calls for three simple ingredients and tastes way better than takeout.

Orange marmalade provides almost all the citrusy flavor you need. When paired with BBQ sauce, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and smokey.

Want to take the flavors over the top? Try marinating your chicken in ginger and soy sauce!

17. Sesame Noodles

Warm or cold, these restaurant-style sesame noodles will keep you hooked. That’s because the noodle sauce is, yet again, flavored with peanut!

The addition of fresh ginger, garlic, and sriracha adds a little zing to this AMAZING sauce.

You can use different kinds of noodles, but udon is simply the best. Top everything with scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds for a crunchy good dish.

18. Chinese Zucchini Salad

Zucchini salad is already pretty popular in the US, but this Asian version takes this dish up a notch.

The sauce is made up of oyster sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and salt.

Throw in some green onions and garlic to the salad mix for added flavor.

19. Fried Milk

Milk is healthy, but when fried, not so much. Still, this recipe is a must-try. Just pay attention to how much you’re eating.

The milk mixture consists of coconut milk, regular milk, sugar, and cornstarch. Coat it with starch, egg, and breadcrumbs, then fry to golden perfection.

Take a bite and appreciate the meld of crunchy and velvety textures. You’ll be in love!

20. Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

No Chinese feast is complete without crab rangoon! It’s crispy on the outside with a rich cream cheese and crab meat center.

And your handy dandy air fryer makes your life so much easier. A quick trip in an air fryer crisps the wonton shells to perfection.

Plus, it’s so much lower in calories than deep-fried.

21. Chinese Eggplant

Vegans assemble; this is the dish you’ve been waiting for!

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring, and these crisp eggplant pieces with Szechuan sauce are strong proof.

This dish has an amazing spicy flavor with garlicky and sweet notes. Serve over cauliflower rice or quinoa for a hearty meal.

22. Stir Fried Rice Cakes

Now, rice cakes aren’t traditionally stir-fried, but give this recipe a try. You’ll love it!

Perfect for special occasions or even quick weeknight meals, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes.

The sticky rice cakes are fried with veggies, aromatics, a savory sauce, and your choice of meat. The result is fragrant, chewy, and oh-so-yummy comfort food!

23. General Tso’s Tofu

This dish is a healthy take on classic General Tso’s chicken. So instead of meat, you’ll use tofu.

The flavor is on the lighter side because the tofu is sauteed not fried. It also calls for fewer red pepper flakes.

Marinating the tofu in tamari and apple cider adds a wonderful flavor to the dish. Serve with white rice or an Asian-style veggie dish for a complete meal.

24. Fortune Cookies

Fortune cookies are quite tricky to make but are definitely fun. These small, golden, sugary cookies come with slips of paper inside, called “fortunes.”

While still flexible, the cookie batter is folded into a butterfly shape, creating a pocket where the tiny slip of paper goes.

Traditional fortunes are mostly Confucian phrases about life. But now, you can make your own by writing some quotes or advice.

25. Mango Pudding

A meal isn’t complete without a dessert, right? For lovers of all sweets, this mango pudding is SO nice to have.

This creamy comfort food is bursting with sweet tropical mango flavor. It’s made with gelatin sheets, milk, sugar, cream, and of course, mangoes.

For added flavor, you can use coconut milk as a substitute for regular fresh milk. Yum!

26. Chinese Green Tea

Green tea is among the most consumed tea in China. This drink comes with health benefits, such as improved brain function and increased metabolism, to name a few.

And the taste? It’s mellow yet refreshing, so it’s perfect to pair with any Chinese dish.

This recipe will teach you how to make Chinese green tea the easy way.

27. 25-Minute Kung Pao Chicken

Need a quick Chinese dinner idea? This 25-minute Kung Pao chicken is the ultimate weeknight meal.

Even the picky eaters at the table will gobble up the veggies soaked in this delicious Kung Pao sauce.

The chicken is fork-tender, the veggies remain crispy, and the spicy, tangy, and sweet Kung Pao sauce will make your mouth water.

28. Authentic Mapo Tofu

This authentic Mapo Tofu recipe ensures that no one goes to bed hungry.

The tofu in this dish absorbs all those rich flavors in the sauce so every bite packs a punch.

While it still calls for meat, you can swap it out for mushrooms to make it 100 percent vegetarian.

Trust me, you don’t want to sleep on this scrumptious and quick Chinese feast.

29. Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and sour pork is a Chinese takeout staple. And dare I say this homemade recipe is even better than the local takeout joint?

It pairs crispy, crunchy chicken with earthy vegetables and tender pieces of pineapple.

And that delightful sweet and sour sauce binds all those flavors together in harmony.

30. Chinese Steamed Dumplings

Steamed dumplings, aka potstickers, are one of my favorite Chinese apps.

And this recipe feels a little like cheating. It utilizes pre-made potstickers (because making them at home is time-consuming!) in a homemade sauce.

The sauce is so rich and savory with sesame oil and garlic, and a touch of heat from doubanjiang.

31. Chicken Congee

Think of chicken Congee like Chinese chicken noodle soup. It’s the ultimate comfort food you’ve probably never heard of.

It infuses a delightful rice porridge with tasty additions like jammy eggs, ginger, and chicken.

And the best part is all those tasty add-ins like fried shrimp, sesame, and chili oil.

32. Chinese Scallion Pancakes

Okay, so this recipe may take a little time to come together. But most of the time is spent waiting for your dough to rise!

Trust me when I say it’s well worth the wait. Chinese scallion pancakes are light and airy, with an intense infusion of fresh scallions.

They’re great on their own, but even better dunked in a sweet and savory sauce.

32 Chinese Recipes for Homemade Takeout

Course: DinnerCuisine: Chinese, American

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour

Calories

302

kcal

These Chinese recipes bring the takeout experience into your home! From chop suey to this delectable kung pao chicken, there’s no need to order out to enjoy your favorite dishes.

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:

• 1/2 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)

• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

• 1 pound boneless/skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

• For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar

• 2 tablespoons Chinese Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)

• 1 1/2 teaspoons hoisin sauce

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

• For the Stir Fry:

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced

• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

• 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and diced

• 5 -8 red chilies cut into ½-inch pieces

• Sichuan peppercorns, lightly toasted and ground

• 2 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1/4 cup roasted/unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

• In a large bowl, mix the Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, baking soda, and cornstarch. Toss in the chicken, cover, and marinate for 10 minutes.
• Make the sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk chicken broth, soy sauce, black vinegar, Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce, sugar, and cornstarch until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet, pan, or wok over high heat. Add the marinated chicken and fry for 3-4 minutes while occasionally stirring, until the edges are browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the same pan/wok. Stir in the garlic, ginger, peppers, chilies, and peppercorns and stir fry for 1 minute.
• Stir the prepared sauce into the pan and bring it to a boil while stirring.
• When it begins to thicken, add the chicken back into the pan and mix the stir-fry until the chicken is evenly coated, and the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in green onions, peanuts, and sesame oil. Toss well and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes to infuse all of the flavors together.
• Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Use dark soy sauce along with light soy sauce for a richer color and flavor.
• Toast the Sichuan peppercorns before grinding to enhance their aromatic flavor.

Nutrition

• Calories: 302kcal
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 1000mg
• Potassium: 161mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 8g
• Calcium: 36mg
• Iron: 2mg