Even My First Attempt at 27 Chinese Recipes Turned Out Great

ByMandy

Cooking Chinese food at home doesn’t have to be intimidating, even for beginners. With 27 easy recipes, there’s something for every skill level, from quick stir-fries to surprisingly impressive dishes. The steps are simple enough for first attempts to turn out great. It’s a stress-free way to try something new and delicious.

A bowl of crispy tofu coated in sesame sauce, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served on a bed of lettuce.
Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Hot and Sour Soup

Bowl of hot and sour soup with mushrooms, tofu, and sliced green onions, with a spoon on the side.
Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Nothing beats the unique mix of rich and tangy flavors. Hot and Sour Soup stands out with its bold taste that balances heat and tang. It brings that comforting vibe you’re always looking for in a warm dish. You’ll love how easily this one came together on the first try.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Close-up of a stir-fry dish with chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, and sesame seeds, coated in a soy-based sauce.
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you’re after quick and flavorful meals, this one fits perfectly. Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry delivers the perfect mix of meat and vegetables in every bite. It’s quick to make, but it tastes like a pro’s effort. You’ll be amazed at how simple yet flavorful it is.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Egg Roll

A wooden tray with spring rolls and lime wedges lined with parchment paper sits next to a small bowl of dipping sauce on a light surface.
Egg Roll. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Wrapping food isn’t as hard as it looks, and that’s what makes Egg Roll such an approachable recipe. The crispy texture on the outside contrasts perfectly with its flavorful filling. It’s a dish that looks and tastes impressive, even if it’s your first try. Make a batch for friends, and they’ll think you’re a pro.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll

Tanghulu

Skewers of grapes and strawberries coated in a shiny glaze are arranged on a light surface with loose fruit pieces nearby.
Tanghulu. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

This snack brings a unique crunch that you won’t forget anytime soon. Tanghulu, with its glossy coating, makes fruits more fun to enjoy. It’s something you can’t leave out if you’re trying Chinese recipes. The result feels like a fun accomplishment every time.
Get the Recipe: Tanghulu

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.

You can enjoy a restaurant classic without leaving your kitchen. General Tso’s Chicken brings bold and slightly sweet flavors that are hard to resist. Perfect for first-timers, it’s easy to get that crispy texture right. It’s proof you can recreate takeout favorites at home.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Fried Banana

A close up of a plate of fried bananas with sauce.
Fried Banana. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creating something as simple but special as Fried Banana makes cooking feel less intimidating. This dessert offers an irresistible combination of soft fruit and crispy coating. A quick recipe like this has a way of boosting cooking confidence. Perfect for capping off any dinner you’ve made at home.
Get the Recipe: Fried Banana

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.

Finger foods come alive with such simple recipes. Shrimp Toast combines crispiness with bold shrimp flavors in one bite-sized piece. You’ll feel like you’ve mastered it in no time. It’s an easy recipe to impress your friends or just enjoy yourself.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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

Recreate restaurant flavors with much less effort than you’d think. Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe nails that juicy and slightly sticky taste you expect from takeout. It’s beginner-friendly and easy to get just right on the first try. Your plate will never look boring with this one.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Bang Bang Shrimp

A bowl of rice topped with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with cucumber slices, lime wedge, cilantro, and sliced green onions.
Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you love finger foods with a punch, this recipe delivers. Bang Bang Shrimp has just the right mix of crispy outside and bold flavor inside. It’s fun to see how it comes together so effortlessly. A well-balanced dish is easier to try out than you think.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Tofu Fried Rice

A bowl of fried rice with grilled tofu, diced carrots, peas, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of dark sauce, served on a red cloth.
Tofu Fried Rice. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

You’ll be amazed how versatile a dish like Tofu Fried Rice can be, even on the first attempt. Perfect for vegetarians or anyone looking to mix things up. This recipe feels light but fills you up thanks to the combination of rice and tofu. A straightforward way to try your hand at rice dishes effortlessly.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Egg Drop Soup

A comforting bowl of egg drop soup elegantly garnished with fresh cilantro, vibrant chives, and a sprinkle of chili flakes.
Egg Drop Soup. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you’ve been curious about soup-making, Egg Drop Soup takes no time and has simple steps to follow. Creamy swirls of egg in broth make it a gentle and appealing choice. You don’t need fancy tools or big prep either. It’s something you can whip up quickly yet feels rewarding.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

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.

Small effort goes a long way with this recipe. Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken gives you a tangy and bright flavor that’s hard to copy. It’s surprisingly easy to match the texture on your first go. A quick meal like this works great when you’re experimenting.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded 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.

Sweet meets nutty in an exciting twist with this recipe. Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp feels like a treat without too much effort or cleanup. Using an air fryer made that crunchy texture foolproof for a beginner. Your first batch can look and taste like takeout.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Close-up of sweet and sour chicken with bell peppers and pineapple chunks in a thick sauce.
Sweet and Sour Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Balancing flavors is easier with recipes like this one. Sweet and Sour Chicken merges tangy and subtle sweetness in a way that’s fun to replicate. Even if it’s your first go, the crispy and saucy combo is hard to mess up. You’ll be making it again soon.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Vegetable Stir Fry

Vegetable Stir Fry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Stir-frying feels like an adventure in itself, with all the combinations to try, like Vegetable Stir Fry. This recipe moves quickly and works perfectly for those new to cooking. Colorful veggies make the dish both effortless and pleasing to prepare. It makes a clean dinner choice that’s good for any day.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

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.

Seafood lovers will enjoy how strikingly bold this recipe is. Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp makes seafood stand out with its simple yet flavorful coating. Even beginners will find this easy enough to try out. It’s something you’ll remember once you make it right.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Chicken Fried Rice

Close-up of chicken fried rice with peas, carrots, sliced green onions, and chopsticks.
Chicken Fried Rice. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

A quick and easy rice dish that feels like comfort food done right. Chicken Fried Rice brings great flavors without a complicated process for the beginner cook. It’s one of those recipes that tastes even better homemade. First attempts often get praise for this dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Easy Chow Mein

A close-up view of a plate of chow mein stir-fried noodles with vegetables and black sesame seeds, with chopsticks visibly picking up a portion.
Easy Chow Mein. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

You can create your favorite noodle dish with just basic equipment at home. Easy Chow Mein has those stir-fried textures and flavors in every bite that keep you coming back. Beginners can enjoy the simplicity and quick preparation. Mastering this on attempt one is very possible.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chow Mein

Sweet and Sour Sauce

A spoon rests inside a glass jar filled with a thick, brown liquid.
Sweet and Sour Sauce. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Recipes like Sweet and Sour Sauce remind you how quickly homemade condiments can transform meals. It’s straightforward, yet the end result works alongside a variety of dishes. Making your own sauce is a step toward better-tasting meals. Once it clicks, store-bought versions will feel unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Sauce

Cashew Chicken

Close-up of Cashew Chicken featuring tender chicken, broccoli, edamame, cashews, and red bell peppers. This delightful dish is topped with sesame seeds and served over a bed of rice.
Cashew Chicken. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

If you love nuts in your meal, this recipe is worth a try. Cashew Chicken gives you bold flavors and a crunchy texture in a single bowl. It’s a straightforward dish that works well if it’s your first time attempting it. This one just works every time.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Egg Fried Rice

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

For a simple and hearty option, it’s hard to beat this one. Egg Fried Rice takes basic ingredients and turns them into something warm and flavorful. It’s perfect for first-timers exploring Chinese recipes. You’ll appreciate just how easy it is to master.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

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.

Fans of subtle spice should try Kung Pao Chicken, which has a unique kick to its flavor. With just a bit of effort, the dish comes together quicker than expected. It feels rewarding to create something that tastes so balanced. You’ll appreciate how easy the recipe is to follow.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Sweet and Sour Pork

Close-up of sweet and sour pork with chunks of bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, garnished with sesame seeds and chives.
Sweet and Sour Pork. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

First tries can lead to amazing results with this dish. Sweet and Sour Pork balances crispy textures with bold, tangy flavors that stand out. It’s fun figuring out the right balance even as a beginner. You might end up surprising yourself with this one.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Sesame Chicken

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

You’ll appreciate how simple yet distinct this dish is. Sesame Chicken combines crispy chicken pieces with a slightly sweet and nutty coating. It’s easy enough for a first-timer to ace without stressing over details. You’ll be proud to put this one on the table.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken

Beef and Broccoli

A plate of beef and broccoli stir-fry garnished with sesame seeds, featuring glazed beef strips and broccoli florets.
Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

This dish gives you a hearty mixture of tender meat and fresh veggies. Beef and Broccoli has no shortage of bold and well-blended flavors. It’s surprisingly beginner-friendly, which made it one of the easiest to try out. One bite feels like a big win.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Shrimp Fried Rice

A red plate of shrimp fried rice garnished with chopped green onions, with black chopsticks resting on the side.
Shrimp Fried Rice. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dishes like Shrimp Fried Rice combine seafood with classic rice recipes that don’t disappoint. It’s easy to whip up with minimal prep but feels impressive in presentation. Perfect for beginners or those looking for quick meals. You’d be surprised at how fulfilling and simple this can be on your first attempt.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Orange Chicken

A bowl of crispy tofu coated in sesame sauce, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served on a bed of lettuce.
Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

You don’t need a restaurant to enjoy this fan-favorite dish. Orange Chicken has a crispy texture and sweet glaze that’s hard to resist. First attempts can look and taste so close to takeout quality here. It’s a go-to when you’re experimenting but want a good result.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken

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