19 Chinese-Inspired Recipes for Takeout-Style Dinners and Small Bites

A takeout-style dinner at home can feel right when you want noodles, saucy mains, or a few small bites on the plate. Choose one recipe that matches the way you want to eat, from a full dinner bowl to an appetizer plate. Serve it with rice, noodles, or a crisp side and let the meal stay casual.

A plate of sesame chicken pieces covered in sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. — Panda Express Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

A close-up of a serving of shrimp garnished with chopped green onions, red chili slices, and cilantro, placed in a bowl with chopsticks on the side. — Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Fried shrimp, Thai chilies, and peppercorns make Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp a 35-minute main with 4 servings. Fish sauce, garlic, ginger, flour, cornstarch, scallions, coarse salt, and cilantro build the coating and finish after the shrimp fry. It fits the small-bites side of the title because the pieces work as a dinner starter or a snack tray. Serve with rice, cucumber salad, fried rice, or stir-fried vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak

A bowl of stir-fried beef strips with red and green bell peppers, topped with sesame seeds. — Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sirloin or flank steak and bell peppers make Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak a 25-minute main with 4 servings. Onion, vegetable oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, garlic, beef broth, sesame oil, black pepper, sesame seeds, and cilantro build the quick skillet sauce. It fits takeout-style dinners because the steak and vegetables land in one glossy pan. Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or egg fried rice.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Black Pepper Sirloin Steak

Chow Mein

Chow mein noodles and crisp vegetables make Chow Mein a 20-minute main with 4 servings. Cabbage, celery, red onion, carrots, green onions, sesame seeds, soy sauce, oyster sauce, toasted sesame oil, garlic, beef broth, and cornstarch fill the pan. It fits the dinner side of the title because noodles can anchor the plate without adding much prep. Serve with orange chicken, sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, or egg rolls.
Get the Recipe: Chow Mein

Shrimp Toast

Close-up of open-faced sandwiches topped with avocado, shredded carrot, microgreens, and pieces of cooked salmon on whole-grain bread. — Shrimp Toast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Shrimp spread over bread makes Shrimp Toast a 25-minute snack with 4 servings. Whole wheat bread, raw shrimp, carrots, romaine, sprout mix, Parmesan, lime, coconut oil, chili seasoning, rosemary, cayenne, smoked paprika, and sesame seeds bring texture to each piece. It fits the small-bites angle because the toast can be cut and passed on a platter. Serve with slaw, cucumber salad, sweet chili sauce, or fried rice.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Panda Express Beijing Beef

A bowl of stir-fried beef with red bell peppers, onions, and chopped green onions, served on a white plate. — Panda Express Beijing Beef. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Flank steak, bell pepper, and hoisin sauce make Panda Express Beijing Beef a 1-hour 40-minute dinner with 4 servings, including marinating time. Egg whites, cornstarch, canola oil, onion, garlic, water, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sweet chili sauce, crushed red pepper, and apple cider vinegar build the coating and sauce. It fits takeout-style dinners because the beef brings a sweet heat to rice bowls. Serve with chow mein or broccoli.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Beijing Beef

Sweet and Sour Pork

Pork tenderloin, pineapple, and bell peppers make Sweet and Sour Pork a 35-minute main with 4 servings. Garlic, ginger, onion, sesame seeds, sweet and sour sauce, cornstarch, corn flour, and vegetable oil build the fried pork and vegetable mix. It fits the Chinese-inspired dinner theme because the sauce, pork, and pineapple work well over rice. Serve with egg fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, or chow mein.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

A colorful salad with shredded carrots, zucchini, chicken, orange slices, and sesame seeds on a brown plate, garnished with fresh herbs. — Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Drumsticks, lemon dressing, and shredded vegetables make Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken a 25-minute dinner or lunch with 4 servings. Ginger, Shaoxing wine, cilantro, garlic, toasted sesame, chili, sesame oil, light soy sauce, lemon juice, oyster sauce, lemon zest, cucumber, carrots, and onions build the cold salad. It fits the list as a lighter option among fried and saucy mains. Serve chilled or at room temperature with rice or noodles.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Crispy Egg Rolls

Vegan egg rolls in a wooden tray. — Crispy Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Egg roll sheets, cabbage, and mushrooms make Crispy Egg Rolls a 40-minute appetizer with 6 servings. Sesame oil, ginger, garlic, green onions, carrots, soy sauce, cilantro, and sweet and sour sauce fill and finish the rolls. They fit the small-bites part of the title because each roll works beside noodles, fried rice, or saucy chicken. Serve hot with extra sweet and sour sauce or chili sauce for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Egg Rolls

Crispy Sesame Chicken

A close-up of glazed chicken pieces with sesame seeds and chopped scallions on a bed of rice. — Crispy Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chicken breast and sesame sauce make Crispy Sesame Chicken a 30-minute main with 4 servings. Eggs, corn flour, all-purpose flour, garlic salt, paprika, vegetable oil, sesame oil, garlic, rice vinegar, honey, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice, sesame seeds, and scallions build the dish. It fits takeout-style dinners because the chicken is coated, fried, and finished in sauce. Serve with rice, broccoli, noodles, or egg rolls.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

Vegetable Stir Fry

Broccolini, bell peppers, and mushrooms make Vegetable Stir Fry a 27-minute main or side with 4 servings. Soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, cornstarch, green onion, and sesame seeds create the quick sauce and vegetable pan. It fits the roundup as a side for saucy chicken, steak, shrimp, or pork. Serve over rice or next to chow mein when the table needs more vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Cashew Chicken

Chicken breast, cashews, and broccoli make Cashew Chicken a 40-minute main with 4 servings. Cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, ginger, garlic, vegetable oil, red bell pepper, edamame, sesame seeds, and green onions fill the skillet. It fits takeout-style dinners because the sauce coats chicken and vegetables in one pan. Serve with steamed rice, fried rice, noodles, or cucumber salad.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Beef and Broccoli

Flank steak and broccoli make Beef and Broccoli a 30-minute main with 4 servings. Olive oil, soy sauce, water, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds build the stir-fry and sauce. It fits Chinese-inspired dinners because the beef, broccoli, and sauce are built for a bowl. Serve with jasmine rice, chow mein, egg rolls, or fried rice.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

A bowl of white rice topped with glazed chicken and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. — Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken thighs and brown sugar soy sauce make Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken a 25-minute main with 4 servings. Salt, pepper, vegetable oil, soy sauce, water, garlic powder, ground ginger, and cornstarch build the short skillet sauce. It stretches the Chinese-inspired label because teriyaki is Japanese-style, but the Panda Express copycat angle fits the takeout theme. Serve with white rice, scallions, sesame seeds, and vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Shrimp Fried Rice

Cooked rice and large shrimp make Shrimp Fried Rice a 25-minute main or side with 4 servings. Vegetable oil, onion, mixed vegetables, egg, soy sauce, water, and spring onions fill the wok or skillet. It fits takeout-style dinners because protein, rice, vegetables, and sauce cook in one pan. Serve it with sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, egg rolls, salt and pepper shrimp, or orange chicken.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

General Tso’s Chicken

Stir-fried chicken pieces in a spicy sauce, garnished with chopped green onions, served in a round metal dish on an orange placemat. — General Tso’s Chicken. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Chicken breast cubes and red pepper flakes make General Tso’s Chicken a 1-hour main with 6 servings. Cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, egg whites, vegetable oil, garlic powder, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, chicken stock, sugar, and green onion build the coating and sauce. It fits takeout-style dinners because the fried chicken pieces get coated in a bold sauce. Serve with rice, broccoli, or egg rolls.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

A plate of honey walnut shrimp topped with green onions. — Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Jumbo shrimp, walnuts, and honey sauce make Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp a 45-minute main with 4 servings. Egg, olive oil, cornstarch, brown sugar, water, mayonnaise, rice vinegar, honey, and green onion build the air-fried shrimp, candied walnuts, and creamy coating. It fits the small-bites and dinner sections because the shrimp can work over rice or on a platter. Serve with fried rice, slaw, or steamed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Kung Pao Chicken

A close-up of a stir-fry dish featuring pieces of chicken, snap peas, red bell peppers, scallions, and black sesame seeds. — Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Chicken breast, sugar snap peas, and bell pepper make Kung Pao Chicken a 30-minute main with 4 servings. Soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, cornstarch, white vinegar, chicken broth, vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and green onions build the stir-fry and sauce. It fits Chinese-inspired dinners because the chicken and vegetables come together quickly in one wok. Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or egg fried rice.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Egg Fried Rice

Oval dish filled with fried rice garnished with chopped green onions. — Egg Fried Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Jasmine rice and eggs make Egg Fried Rice a 25-minute recipe with 4 servings. Vegetable oil, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil keep the ingredient list short while the wok gives the rice a lightly crisp finish. It fits the roundup as a side or quick base for saucy mains. Serve with General Tso’s chicken, beef and broccoli, shrimp, egg rolls, or vegetable stir fry.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Panda Express Orange Chicken

Chicken breast and fresh orange juice make Panda Express Orange Chicken a 30-minute main with 4 servings. Flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, vegetable oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame seeds, and green onions build the coating, sauce, and garnish. It fits takeout-style dinners because the fried chicken pieces are finished in orange sauce. Serve with chow mein, fried rice, broccoli, or egg rolls.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Orange Chicken