12 Authentic Chinese Recipes: Easy-to-Follow Dishes for Home Cooks

Chinese food brings bold flavors and simple techniques to your kitchen. This post shares 12 authentic Chinese recipes. Each dish suits home cooks.

You can make tasty meals with clear steps and common ingredients. Readers enjoy learning about Chinese cooking.

Search engines find this content helpful. The recipes balance tradition and ease. You get useful instructions and engaging ideas. Start cooking delicious Chinese dishes today.

Recipe 1: Kung Pao Chicken

About

Kung Pao Chicken offers spicy and savory flavors. This dish comes from Sichuan province. It mixes tender chicken with peanuts and peppers. Home cooks love its quick preparation.

The recipe uses everyday pantry items. You taste a blend of heat and crunch. It takes 30 minutes to cook. Friends and family enjoy this meal. The dish feels authentic and fun to make.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast (cut into cubes)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
• 3 dried red chilies
• 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts
• 2 green onions (sliced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix chicken, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
2. Let chicken sit for 15 minutes.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add chicken cubes to the pan.
5. Cook chicken until golden (about 5 minutes).
6. Remove chicken from the pan.
7. Add bell peppers and dried chilies to the pan.
8. Stir peppers and chilies for 3 minutes.
9. Add peanuts, ginger, and garlic to the pan.
10. Stir everything for 1 minute.
11. Return chicken to the pan.
12. Add sugar and sesame oil.
13. Stir all ingredients for 2 minutes.
14. Top with green onions.
15. Serve hot with rice.

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Recipe 2: Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

About

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry delivers tender beef and crisp broccoli. This dish comes from Chinese-American kitchens. It uses a rich soy sauce base. You cook it fast in one pan.

The recipe fits busy weeknights. Everyone enjoys the hearty texture. It takes 25 minutes to prepare. Simple ingredients make it approachable.

Ingredients

• 1 pound flank steak (sliced thin)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine beef, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch in a bowl.
2. Let beef sit for 10 minutes.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over high heat.
4. Add beef slices to the pan.
5. Cook beef until browned (about 4 minutes).
6. Remove beef from the pan.
7. Add broccoli, garlic, and ginger to the pan.
8. Stir broccoli for 2 minutes.
9. Pour water into the pan.
10. Cover pan and steam broccoli for 3 minutes.
11. Return beef to the pan.
12. Add sugar and stir everything for 2 minutes.
13. Serve hot with rice.

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Recipe 3: Vegetable Fried Rice

About

Vegetable Fried Rice turns leftover rice into a tasty dish. This recipe comes from Chinese home cooking. It mixes colorful veggies with soy sauce. You cook it in 20 minutes.

The dish works as a side or main. Kids and adults love the flavor. It uses basic ingredients from your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rice (cold)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 carrot (diced)
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add carrot, peas, and corn to the pan.
3. Stir vegetables for 3 minutes.
4. Push vegetables to one side of the pan.
5. Pour eggs into the empty side.
6. Scramble eggs until cooked (about 2 minutes).
7. Mix eggs with vegetables.
8. Add rice to the pan.
9. Stir rice and vegetables for 3 minutes.
10. Pour soy sauce and sesame oil over rice.
11. Stir everything for 2 minutes.
12. Top with green onions.
13. Serve hot.

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Recipe 4: Sweet and Sour Pork

About

Sweet and Sour Pork blends tangy and sweet tastes. This dish comes from Cantonese cuisine. It features crispy pork and juicy pineapple. You cook it in 40 minutes.

The recipe excites your taste buds. Friends enjoy it at gatherings. Simple steps make it fun to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork shoulder (cut into cubes)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix pork, cornstarch, soy sauce, and egg in a bowl.
2. Let pork sit for 15 minutes.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Fry pork cubes until golden (about 5 minutes).
5. Remove pork from the pan.
6. Drain oil, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan.
7. Add bell peppers and pineapple to the pan.
8. Stir peppers and pineapple for 3 minutes.
9. Mix ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and water in a bowl.
10. Pour sauce into the pan.
11. Stir sauce with vegetables for 2 minutes.
12. Return pork to the pan.
13. Stir everything for 3 minutes.
14. Serve hot with rice.

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Recipe 5: Mapo Tofu

About

Mapo Tofu brings spicy and silky textures together. This dish comes from Sichuan cuisine. It mixes soft tofu with ground pork. You cook it in 30 minutes. The recipe packs bold flavors. Spice lovers enjoy the heat. It uses simple ingredients for a big taste.

Ingredients

• 1 pound soft tofu (cut into cubes)
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 2 tablespoons chili paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 green onions (chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add ground pork to the pan.
3. Cook pork until browned (about 5 minutes).
4. Add garlic, ginger, and chili paste to the pan.
5. Stir pork and spices for 2 minutes.
6. Pour soy sauce and chicken broth into the pan.
7. Add tofu cubes to the pan.
8. Stir gently for 3 minutes.
9. Mix cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water in a bowl.
10. Pour cornstarch mix into the pan.
11. Stir until sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
12. Top with green onions.
13. Serve hot with rice.

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Recipe 6: Egg Drop Soup

About

Egg Drop Soup offers light and warm comfort. This dish comes from Chinese home kitchens. It uses eggs and broth for a smooth taste. You cook it in 15 minutes. The recipe fits any meal. Everyone enjoys its simplicity. Basic ingredients make it quick to prepare.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger (minced)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour chicken broth into a pot over medium heat.
2. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water in a bowl.
3. Add cornstarch mix, soy sauce, and ginger to the pot.
4. Stir broth for 2 minutes.
5. Bring broth to a gentle boil.
6. Pour beaten eggs into the pot slowly.
7. Stir eggs into broth for 1 minute.
8. Add sesame oil to the pot.
9. Stir soup for 1 minute.
10. Top with green onions.
11. Serve hot.

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Recipe 7: General Tso’s Chicken

About

General Tso’s Chicken mixes crispy chicken with sweet sauce. This dish comes from Chinese-American menus. It blends soy sauce and chili for flavor. You cook it in 35 minutes. The recipe pleases crowds. Kids and adults love the taste. It uses pantry staples for ease.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken thighs (cut into cubes)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 dried red chilies
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix chicken, cornstarch, soy sauce, and egg in a bowl.
2. Let chicken sit for 15 minutes.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Fry chicken cubes until golden (about 5 minutes).
5. Remove chicken from the pan.
6. Drain oil, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan.
7. Add chilies, garlic, and ginger to the pan.
8. Stir spices for 1 minute.
9. Pour chicken broth, sugar, and rice vinegar into the pan.
10. Stir sauce for 2 minutes.
11. Return chicken to the pan.
12. Stir chicken with sauce for 3 minutes.
13. Add sesame oil to the pan.
14. Stir everything for 1 minute.
15. Serve hot with rice.

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Recipe 8: Shrimp with Garlic Sauce

About

Shrimp with Garlic Sauce bursts with garlicky flavor. This dish comes from Chinese seafood traditions. It pairs juicy shrimp with a savory sauce. You cook it in 25 minutes. The recipe fits quick dinners. Seafood fans enjoy the taste. Simple steps keep it easy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Toss shrimp with cornstarch in a bowl.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add shrimp to the pan.
4. Cook shrimp until pink (about 3 minutes).
5. Remove shrimp from the pan.
6. Add bell pepper, garlic, and ginger to the pan.
7. Stir vegetables for 2 minutes.
8. Pour soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and water into the pan.
9. Stir sauce for 2 minutes.
10. Return shrimp to the pan.
11. Stir everything for 2 minutes.
12. Serve hot with rice.

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Recipe 9: Pork Dumplings

About

Pork Dumplings bring savory bites to your table. This dish comes from Chinese family recipes. It wraps pork in soft dough. You cook it in 45 minutes. The recipe rewards your effort. Everyone loves dipping them in sauce. Basic ingredients make it fun to try.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup cabbage (chopped)
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 30 dumpling wrappers
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix pork, cabbage, green onions, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil in a bowl.
2. Place 1 teaspoon filling in the center of a wrapper.
3. Wet edges of the wrapper with water.
4. Fold wrapper over filling and press edges to seal.
5. Repeat with all wrappers.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
7. Add dumplings to the pan (flat side down).
8. Cook dumplings until golden (about 3 minutes).
9. Pour water into the pan.
10. Cover pan and steam dumplings for 5 minutes.
11. Remove lid and cook until water evaporates (about 2 minutes).
12. Serve hot with soy sauce.

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Recipe 10: Chicken Chow Mein

About

Chicken Chow Mein mixes noodles with tender chicken. This dish comes from Chinese street food. It blends veggies and soy sauce. You cook it in 30 minutes. The recipe fits busy nights. Everyone enjoys the crispy noodles. Simple ingredients keep it practical.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces chow mein noodles
• 1 pound chicken breast (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup cabbage (shredded)
• 1 carrot (sliced)
• 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook noodles in boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. Drain noodles and set aside.
3. Mix chicken, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a bowl.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
5. Add chicken to the pan.
6. Cook chicken until golden (about 5 minutes).
7. Remove chicken from the pan.
8. Add cabbage, carrot, and garlic to the pan.
9. Stir vegetables for 3 minutes.
10. Return chicken to the pan.
11. Add noodles and green onions to the pan.
12. Stir everything for 3 minutes.
13. Serve hot.

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Recipe 11: Hot and Sour Soup

About

Hot and Sour Soup warms you with bold flavors. This dish comes from Chinese traditions. It mixes tangy vinegar and spicy pepper. You cook it in 25 minutes. The recipe suits cold days. Friends enjoy the zesty taste. Common ingredients make it easy.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 1/4 cup bamboo shoots (sliced)
• 1/4 cup tofu (cubed)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 2 green onions (chopped)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pour chicken broth into a pot over medium heat.
2. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu to the pot.
3. Stir ingredients for 5 minutes.
4. Pour soy sauce, rice vinegar, and white pepper into the pot.
5. Stir soup for 2 minutes.
6. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water in a bowl.
7. Pour cornstarch mix into the pot.
8. Stir soup until thick (about 2 minutes).
9. Pour beaten egg into the pot slowly.
10. Stir egg into soup for 1 minute.
11. Top with green onions.
12. Serve hot.

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Recipe 12: Sesame Noodles

About

Sesame Noodles offer nutty and savory bites. This dish comes from Chinese snack recipes. It uses creamy sesame paste. You cook it in 20 minutes. The recipe works as a side or lunch. Everyone enjoys the rich flavor. Simple steps make it quick.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons sesame paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti in boiling water for 8 minutes.
2. Drain spaghetti and set aside.
3. Mix sesame paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and water in a bowl.
4. Stir sauce until smooth.
5. Pour sauce over spaghetti in a large bowl.
6. Toss spaghetti with sauce.
7. Top with green onions and sesame seeds.
8. Serve warm or cold.