27 Chinese Recipes I’d Cook Any Night of the Week

Weeknight cooking gets easier when you have 27 dishes that feel special but come together fast. These Chinese favorites work for busy evenings when takeout feels tempting but homemade tastes better, bringing restaurant flavors to your table without the wait or delivery fee.

Scallion Pancakes

Pan-frying these creates layers that shatter when you bite through the golden exterior. Scallion Pancakes develop that signature flaky texture while filling the kitchen with toasted sesame oil and green onions. I make a double batch because they disappear faster than anything else.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Pancakes

Sweet Cashew Chicken

Crunchy nuts and tender chicken pieces coat in a sauce that balances sweetness without going overboard. Sweet Cashew Chicken brings texture contrast that makes every forkful different, with cashews staying crisp even after mixing with the glaze. People always ask how I get the coating so light.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cashew Chicken

Tangy Hot and Sour Soup

Vinegar and white pepper create that distinctive flavor, hitting your palate in waves. Tangy Hot and Sour Soup warms you from the inside while delivering complexity that keeps you coming back for another spoonful. I’ve found that this soup tastes even better the next day, after flavors develop.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Hot and Sour Soup

Quick Vegetable Stir Fry

Vegetables stay crisp and colorful when you cook them fast over high heat. Quick Vegetable Stir Fry proves that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen. The sauce clings to every piece, turning simple vegetables into something everyone actually wants to eat.
Get the Recipe: Quick Vegetable Stir Fry

Crispy Shrimp Toast

Bread fried until golden brown holds a shrimp mixture that’s savory and slightly sweet. Crispy Shrimp Toast makes an appetizer that guests remember long after dinner ends, with that satisfying crunch giving way to tender seafood filling. I cut these into triangles, though squares work just as well.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Shrimp Toast

Silky Egg Drop Soup

Whisked eggs swirl through hot broth, creating ribbons that look delicate but taste substantial. Silky Egg Drop Soup comes together in minutes yet delivers comfort that rivals soups simmering for hours. The ginger adds warmth without overwhelming the subtle flavors when someone feels under the weather.
Get the Recipe: Silky Egg Drop Soup

Crispy Sesame Chicken

Coating stays crunchy even after tossing with sauce, which seems impossible until you try it. Crispy Sesame Chicken hits that sweet spot between restaurant indulgence and homemade care. Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor that makes this taste more complex than the simple ingredient list suggests.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

Caramelized Fried Banana

Sugar melts and coats banana slices in a glossy shell that hardens slightly as it cools. Caramelized Fried Banana transforms ordinary fruit into a dessert that feels special, with natural sweetness amplified by caramelization. I serve these warm with vanilla ice cream, watching the contrast between hot and cold.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Fried Banana

Spicy Kung Pao Chicken

Dried chilies infuse oil with heat that builds gradually rather than hitting you all at once. Spicy Kung Pao Chicken balances fire with sweetness and tang, creating layers of flavor that make this endlessly interesting. Peanuts add crunch while soaking up sauce when the heat gets intense.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Kung Pao Chicken

Tender Sweet and Sour Pork

Pork pieces fry until golden, then get tossed in a sauce that’s bright pink and glossy. Tender Sweet and Sour Pork delivers that classic Chinese-American flavor everyone grew up ordering. The sauce clings to every piece without being gloppy, coating the meat just enough to add flavor.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sweet and Sour Pork

Crispy Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Walnuts get candied while shrimp cook until golden, both coming together in a creamy sauce. Crispy Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp recreates that restaurant dish without deep frying or making a mess. The air fryer keeps the shrimp tender inside while the coating stays crisp.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Fluffy Egg Fried Rice

Day-old rice fries up better than fresh, creating individual grains that don’t clump together. Fluffy Egg Fried Rice turns leftovers into something people request specifically, with eggs scrambling into soft pieces throughout. I add whatever vegetables need using up, making this flexible and different every time.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Egg Fried Rice

Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Sauce reduces until it’s thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken brings that food court favorite home, tasting remarkably close to the original. The chicken stays moist while the glaze adds shine and flavor that kids actually eat.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Crispy Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Shells fry until they’re edible, adding extra crunch you don’t get with peeled shrimp. Crispy Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp seasoned with nothing but salt, pepper, and aromatics, proving simplicity can be stunning. The technique here matters more than fancy ingredients, creating texture and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Sweet Orange Chicken

Citrus juice and tang brighten the sauce without making it taste artificial like some versions do. Sweet Orange Chicken achieves that sticky coating clinging to crispy chicken pieces, delivering takeout quality at home. I find the fresh orange flavor makes this taste cleaner and brighter.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Orange Chicken

Savory Tofu Fried Rice

Tofu cubes crisp up in the pan before mixing with rice and vegetables. Savory Tofu Fried Rice proves that meatless meals can be just as filling and flavorful. The soy sauce and sesame oil season everything thoroughly, while the tofu adds protein that keeps you full.
Get the Recipe: Savory Tofu Fried Rice

Zesty Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Lemon sauce coats thin strips of chicken that cook quickly over high heat. Zesty Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken brings bright flavor that cuts through richer dishes on the table. The shredded format means more surface area for sauce, ensuring every bite delivers that tangy taste.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Crispy Candied Tanghulu

Fruit gets dipped in hardened sugar syrup that cracks when you bite through it. Crispy Candied Tanghulu transforms strawberries or grapes into something that looks like it came from a street vendor. The sugar shell provides a dramatic crunch before giving way to juicy fruit inside.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Candied Tanghulu

Quick Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Broccoli florets stay bright green and crisp-tender, never mushy or overcooked. Quick Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry delivers a complete meal in one pan, with the sauce coating everything evenly. The garlic and ginger flavor comes through clearly without overwhelming the dish or requiring a dozen bottles.
Get the Recipe: Quick Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce

Vinegar balances sugar while ketchup adds color and body to the mixture. Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce works as a dipping sauce or glaze, making it more versatile than most condiments. I keep a jar in the fridge because it transforms plain chicken nuggets or fried rice.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce

Quick Chicken Chow Mein

Noodles fry until slightly crispy on the edges while staying soft in the middle. Quick Chicken Chow Mein combines protein, vegetables, and carbs in one dish that feels complete. The noodles soak up sauce while maintaining their texture, creating that perfect bite where everything comes together.
Get the Recipe: Quick Chicken Chow Mein

Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp cook quickly, adding seafood flavor throughout the rice without overpowering other ingredients. Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice uses the same technique as regular fried rice but tastes more special. The shrimp turn pink and curl up perfectly, distributed evenly so every scoop gets a few.
Get the Recipe: Flavorful Shrimp Fried Rice

Sweet General Tso’s Chicken

Dark sauce coats chicken pieces that stay crispy despite the moisture. Sweet General Tso’s Chicken brings that restaurant classic home with dried chilies adding heat and visual appeal. The sauce thickness matters here, creating that glossy coating clinging to every piece without pooling at the bottom.
Get the Recipe: Sweet General Tso’s Chicken

Savory Beef and Broccoli

Beef slices are marinated briefly, then cooked quickly to stay tender rather than tough. Savory Beef and Broccoli pairs two ingredients that complement each other naturally, with brown sauce tying everything together. The beef stays pink in the middle while broccoli maintains its snap and texture.
Get the Recipe: Savory Beef and Broccoli

Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp

Sauce drizzles over fried shrimp, adding creamy spice that’s become wildly popular everywhere. Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp recreates that chain restaurant appetizer people order every single time. The sauce recipe varies, but the combination of mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha hits that sweet-spicy-creamy note.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Bang Bang Shrimp

Tangy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Battered chicken fries until puffy and golden before getting tossed with sauce and vegetables. Tangy Sweet and Sour Chicken delivers that classic takeout experience with pineapple chunks and bell peppers adding color. The batter stays light and crispy, never heavy or greasy like most delivery versions.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crispy Egg Rolls

Wrappers fry until they’re shatteringly crisp, encasing a filling that stays moist and flavorful inside. Crispy Egg Rolls come out of the oil golden brown and bubbling, releasing steam when you bite through. I make these any night when I want something special, with cabbage and pork creating that familiar flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Egg Rolls