Looking beyond the convenience of takeout, it’s easy to create delicious and authentic Chinese dishes in your own kitchen. While some people may think that cooking Chinese food requires specialized equipment, this simply isn’t true. With a little practice and patience, you can master the art of preparing mouth-watering stir-fries, spring rolls, and other beloved Chinese classics.
This collection of 20 recipes showcases just how accessible and easy it is to cook fantastic Chinese food from scratch. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, these dishes are sure to delight your senses and leave you wanting more, with their perfect balance of flavors, enticing aromas, and generous serving sizes.
Keto Instant Pot Orange Chicken – American-style Iinterpretation of Chinese Cuisine
Delving into the world of popular Chinese-American dishes, it’s difficult to ignore the beloved Orange Chicken. This iconic dish has gained widespread recognition in the United States, often taking center stage in North American Chinese restaurants. A key component of its appeal lies in the harmonious balance of sweet and tangy flavors that envelop crispy fried chicken pieces.
While it may not be a staple in traditional Chinese cuisine, this creation is, in fact, an authentic representation of how Chinese flavors have been adapted to suit Western tastes. In reality, Orange Chicken is rarely found on menus in China, making its presence in North American restaurants all the more unique and indicative of the blending of cultural influences that has shaped modern Chinese-American food.
Crunchy and Crispy Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
Making any Chinese-inspired meal complete would be unthinkable without the indulgent delight of crab rangoon! These mouthwatering morsels boast a satisfying crunch on the outside, carefully balanced by a rich and creamy filling made from a generous amount of cream cheese and tender chunks of crab meat within. Moreover, leveraging your air fryer simplifies the cooking process even further.
A brief stint in the air fryer is all it takes to transform the wonton shells into golden, crispy perfection, delivering that coveted crunchy texture with significantly less effort required.
Suan La Fen (Vegetarian Hot and Sour Noodle Soup)
Making its way onto the culinary scene is a signature Sichuan dish, Suan La Fen – a delectable bowl of hot and sour noodle soup that showcases tender, springy potato noodles perfectly balanced in a rich and savory broth. Not only is it surprisingly easy to prepare, but its bold flavors also make it incredibly addictive to devour! This mouth-watering dish is the perfect choice for anyone looking to explore the authentic flavors of Sichuan cuisine.
Easy Chinese Refreshing Cucumber Salad
Nourishing appetites with a burst of freshness, Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜, pai huang gua) is an exemplary start to any meal. The crunchy cucumbers are skillfully infused with a rich and pungent garlic flavor that sets the tone for a harmonious balance of flavors to come.
Healthy Chinese Almond Chicken
Getting creative in the kitchen just got a whole lot easier with this delicious Chinese-inspired dish! Not only is it simplicity itself to prepare, but it’s also a culinary winner when it comes to pleasing even the pickiest of eaters. This mouth-watering almond chicken recipe combines the tender and juicy flavors of sweet and savory chicken with an assortment of vibrant vegetables, crunchy almond slivers, and a rich sauce that brings everything together in perfect harmony.
Homemade Chinese Scallion Pancakes
Taking a trip down culinary memory lane, I find myself reminiscing about the scrumptious scallion pancakes that have left an indelible mark on my taste buds. These delectable, flaky, crispy, and layered savory treats are not only incredibly delicious but also evoke a sense of nostalgia in me, much like the traditional roti canai I grew up with.
Steamed Dumplings with Aromatic Dipping Sauce
Finding the perfect dumpling dipping sauce can be a matter of personal preference, but one thing that stands out about this particular option is its high level of customizability. This allows users to adjust the ingredients to their liking, making it easier to achieve the ideal flavor combination for their taste buds.
Traditional Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe
Visiting the diverse culinary landscape of China often yields a treasure trove of mouth-watering recipes. One traditional Chinese dish that stands out is the sweet and sour pork recipe (咕噜肉, Cantonese Style), which combines the perfect balance of crispy pork, succulent pineapple, crunchy peppers, and caramelized onions, all smothered in a richly flavored sticky sweet and sour sauce.
It’s a homemade delight that not only surpasses takeout but also brings classic flavors right to your kitchen any day of the week, making it an ideal option for families and foodies alike.
Try to Make Hot and Sour Fish Soup
Elevating this hot and sour fish soup to new heights is the addition of pickled Chinese mustard greens, which not only add a burst of flavor but are also essential for the soup’s signature tanginess. Every component of this recipe plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavors, and aside from the pickled greens, dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns take center stage by infusing the dish with an intense spicy kick.
Other ingredients such as firm white fish slices and tofu cubes are also welcome additions that can be tailored to personal taste, allowing individuals to make this soup their own unique creation.
Mouthwatering Spicy Kung Pao Chicken
Laden with the essence of Asian cuisine, this mouthwatering spicy Kung Pao Chicken recipe checks every box for a satisfying dinner experience. The harmonious balance of subtle heat, sweetness, and umami flavors will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. The dish is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor.
Your whole family will adore the delightful combination of sautéed vegetables and tender chicken bites, all perfectly coated in a rich and silky sauce. To put the finishing touches on this masterpiece, a sprinkle of crunchy toppings adds an irresistible textural contrast that elevates the dish to new heights.
Ghost Chicken Recipe from Yunnan Province
Verging on the unknown, guǐ jī’s rich history is shrouded in mystique. According to ancient lore, fortune-tellers would scatter chicken bones on the ground, using them as a means to predict the future. Rather than allowing the meat to go to waste, they would combine it with local herbs and spices, crafting a dish that eerily resembles a chicken salad. A second legend posits that chickens were often sacrificed to appease restless spirits, with their meat subsequently used rather than discarded.
With its humble origins and effortless blend of flavors, this recipe is an ideal choice for any gathering or occasion.
Delicious Yu Xiang Tofu
Taking center stage in this culinary delight is deep-fried tofu, boasting an irresistible combination of textures – its crispy exterior giving way to a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth interior. This harmonious balance is further elevated by the bold, aromatic flavors of yu xiang (魚香) sauce, a vibrant and savory blend of ginger, garlic, scallions, and chilies.
The resulting fusion not only transforms simple tofu into a flavor-packed delicacy but also creates a truly unforgettable gastronomic experience that’s hard to resist.
Saliva Chicken — Spicy Chinese Food
While ‘Saliva Chicken’ might sound like an unappealing dish in English, its actual name, , translates more enticingly to ‘Mouthwatering Chicken.’ If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon an authentic Szechuan restaurant, do yourself a favour and try this delectable dish! The preparation method involves a swift poaching technique similar to that used for Cantonese white cut chicken, yielding tender and exceptionally moist chicken.
Following the poaching process, rapidly cooling the chicken in iced water helps firm up its skin, adding an extra layer of texture. To successfully replicate Mouthwatering Chicken at home and achieve its signature Szechuan mala flavor (characterized by a harmonious balance of numbing and spicy notes), pay close attention to a few crucial tips that will guide you towards creating an authentic culinary experience right from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Chinese Spicy Beef Salad Recipe
Highlighting its adaptability, this Chinese-style spicy beef salad can be served in a variety of ways, making it an ideal choice as a starter, appetizer, or accompaniment to a main meal. Its temperature flexibility is also noteworthy, as it tastes great when slightly warm, cold, or at room temperature.
Chongqing Spicy Crispy Chicken – Classic Chinese Style Stir Fried Dish!
A culinary masterpiece that’s both familiar and exciting, this classic Chinese-style dish delivers an exceptional dining experience. It’s no wonder why it rivals the offerings of even the most renowned restaurants. Serve it on a platter alongside steaming hot cooked rice or vegetables, and you’ll be treated to a truly authentic restaurant-quality meal right in the comfort of your own home, without the hefty price tag!
Spicy Chinese Green Beans
Generally, Chinese cuisine is all about simplicity, and this recipe is no exception. To make these delicious green beans, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients: soy sauce, chili garlic paste, rice vinegar, and of course, the star of the show – fresh green beans. A wok is the perfect cooking vessel for this recipe, as it enables high heat and quick cooking, which are essential for achieving the ideal texture.
These Chinese-style green beans have become a staple in Szechuan cuisine, renowned for their bold, spicy flavor that will leave you craving more with each bite!
Amazing Guizhou Hot and Sour Tomato Hotpot
Having explored various hotpot options across China, Guizhou’s Hot and Sour Tomato Hotpot (酸汤火锅, suāntāng huǒguō) stands out as a unique addition to any enthusiast’s collection of broths. Although it may be rare in the United States, this particular variety has garnered a loyal following among those who have discovered its rich flavors.
In hotpot gatherings, I always make sure to include a robust mala broth base, which originates from Sichuan and boasts an addictive flavor profile that has captivated diners across China and around the globe. The mala flavor is particularly well-suited for hotpot parties, as it adds depth and complexity to the dish.
In Sichuan and Chongqing, locals continue to enjoy their fiery hotpot even during the sweltering summer months, where the intense heat from the broth and the capsaicin causes diners to sweat, paradoxically helping to cool the body. By the end of the meal, one often feels surprisingly refreshed and rejuvenated, as if renewed by the potent culinary experience.
General Tso’s Tofu – Classic Chinese Takeout Dish
Just by substituting tofu for meat, this dish offers a healthy twist on the classic General Tso’s chicken. The flavor profile is significantly lighter due to the sautéing process instead of deep-frying, and it uses fewer red pepper flakes to provide a milder heat level. The marinating process in tamari and apple cider vinegar adds rich, deep flavors to the tofu, making each bite truly delightful.
Serve this nutritious dish with white rice or an Asian-style vegetable side for a complete meal that’s both delicious and healthy.
Quick and Tasty Hunan Pork Stir-fry
Yearning for a culinary adventure? You can start by cooking pork belly with this simple and mouth-watering stir-fry recipe. The high fat content in pork belly might seem daunting, but it’s actually the key to unlocking its rich flavor profile when cooked properly. As the fat melts into the meat, it infuses a luxurious taste and texture, while the edges develop an irresistible crispiness. If you can’t find fermented black beans, regular canned black beans are a decent substitute.
Just be sure to rinse them thoroughly before using them in your dish to remove excess salt and preserve the authentic flavors of your stir-fry.
Dan Dan Noodles – Spicy Sichuan Food
Savor the essence of Szechuan cuisine with dan dan noodles, a quintessential example of its intense spiciness. Be prepared for a fiery sauce that will leave you breathless in this noodle dish! To balance out the scorching heat, leafy greens, chopped peanuts, and scallions are added, creating a complex layering of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The base of dried white noodles and a hearty meat mixture ensures that this dish is not only flavorful but also satisfyingly filling.
If you’re a fan of bold and spicy foods, this dish is sure to delight and leave you craving for more!
Instructions
Pick any of these mouth-watering Spicy Chinese dishes from the post that caught your attention. To get the full recipes, complete with instructions and photos, simply click on the link provided below each dish’s image. Once you’ve tried your hand at making one (or more!) of these delicious Spicy Chinese Foods, don’t forget to share a photo of your creation under my corresponding Pinterest pin!
With this collection, you’ll be able to explore the depths of spicy flavors and culinary techniques that are characteristic of traditional Chinese cuisine.
