33 Chinese Recipes That Beat Takeout Tonight

Home-cooked meals are special, especially when they go beyond the usual takeout options. With 33 Chinese recipes to choose from, there’s something for anyone who wants to try new flavors for dinner. These dishes fit right into busy nights, family parties, or when you’re just in the mood for something different.

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.

Pork Fried Rice

Close-up of fried rice with chunks of meat, peas, diced carrots, and bean sprouts mixed together. — Pork Fried Rice. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Takeout night at home gets an upgrade with this Pork Fried Rice. Savory rice, bites of pork, and classic flavor all come together for a fast and filling meal. The scent alone brings everyone running to the kitchen. Finishing your plate happens quickly when dinner feels this good and easy.
Get the Recipe: Pork 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.

Craving bold flavors? This General Tso’s Chicken hits the spot with sweet, tangy sauce and crispy bites. Just one piece leaves you wanting more, and nobody misses the restaurant version at all. Dinner feels extra special without ever waiting for delivery.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Scallion Pancakes

Pancakes don’t always mean breakfast, especially with this Scallion Pancakes recipe. Layers of crispy, savory goodness show up in every bite. Tear them and share or snack on them alone; they disappear before you know it. Homemade versions just taste way better than you’d think.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Pancakes

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 crunch pairs up with shrimp in this Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp. The mix of textures and flavors keeps you coming back for another bite. Even picky eaters become instant fans once they try it out. You save time and still get restaurant-style results right in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Chinese Steamed Chicken

A bowl of steamed chicken pieces with mushrooms, garnished with chopped green onions, with chopsticks picking up a piece. — Chinese Steamed Chicken. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Sometimes you want something gentle and comforting, and this Chinese Steamed Chicken does the trick. Tender chicken and light seasoning bring out the best in every piece. Plates feel lighter but still fill you up just enough. Even at home, simple dishes can taste surprisingly fresh.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Steamed Chicken

Egg Drop Soup

Swirling ribbons of egg turn plain soup into something you’ll actually look forward to eating. This Egg Drop Soup is warm, gentle, and always ready in a flash. Kids and adults both love its classic flavor. You might forget how quickly the meal came together once you have a bowl in front of you.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

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.

Bites of shrimp with salt and pepper bring huge flavor to any meal, especially with this Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp. Every piece pops with a little spice that keeps things interesting. The dish looks a bit fancy while being surprisingly easy to make. There’s never much left over by the end of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Shrimp Fried Rice

Leftovers always get a new life in this Shrimp Fried Rice. Juicy shrimp and flavorful rice are a classic duo that fill you up in minutes. You can enjoy a homemade fix for your takeout craving. Every spoonful brings a little taste of something special without even opening an app.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Chow Mein

Noodle lovers find comfort in every forkful of this Chow Mein. Springy noodles and crisp veggies fill the bowl with color and crave-worthy texture. This recipe feeds a crowd or packs up well for leftovers. It’s a classic for a reason, and now you don’t have to order out to enjoy it.
Get the Recipe: Chow Mein

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.

Lean and green is the name of the game with this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry. Bites of chicken and crunchy veggies cook up in no time, giving you a fast answer to the dinner rush. Colorful meals like this never last long on the table. You’ll be surprised how simple healthy can taste so good.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce

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

Dinner gets a lot more fun once you drizzle on this Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce. The sauce is sticky, shiny, and bursts with flavor that takes even simple dishes up a notch. Guests want to dip everything they can find. Your kitchen ends up feeling a bit like your favorite Chinese spot in just a few minutes.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Sweet and Sour Sauce

Cashew Chicken

Classic comfort lands on your plate with this Cashew Chicken. The combo of tender chicken and crunchy nuts makes this dish stand out at any table. You can serve it with rice or noodles for a meal everyone remembers. All the best things about takeout can be yours without leaving the house.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Beef and Broccoli

Everyone can agree that this Beef and Broccoli is a quick dinner solution that packs big flavor. The beef comes out tender, and the broccoli keeps things fresh. Each bite balances the best parts of dinner in one bowl. Weeknight meals become something you look forward to with this classic combo.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

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.

All it takes is one bite of this Crispy Sesame Chicken to get hooked on homemade Asian food. The chicken stays crunchy and slightly sweet, perfect for scooping up with rice. Plates get cleaned quickly every time you serve it. Friends won’t believe it didn’t come straight from their favorite restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

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.

Sweet and spicy flavors mix together in this Bang Bang Shrimp. Lightly coated and full of flavor, the shrimp bring excitement to any dinner plate. This is one recipe you’ll try once and want to keep making again. Fast meals just start tasting a whole lot more fun with shrimp like this.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Chicken Chow Mein

Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and chicken in a pan, featuring carrots, cabbage, and green onions. — Chicken Chow Mein. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tangles of noodles and tender chicken make this Chicken Chow Mein a dinner favorite. It’s fast, flavorful, and works as a main course or a side for bigger meals. People like how easy it is to just toss on a plate and eat. Ordering out starts to seem unnecessary once you try this at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chow Mein

Vegetable Stir Fry

Fresh veggies steal the show with this Vegetable Stir Fry. Each bite is crisp and colorful, turning dinner into a bright and healthy event. Even those who aren’t big on vegetables find reasons to go back for seconds. Stir fry proves simple really can mean delicious every single time.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

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.

Crispy bread and a soft topping make this Shrimp Toast a favorite snack or appetizer. The flavor is light yet rich enough to please any crowd. Serving a plate of these creates a moment everyone remembers. Shrimp toast disappears quickly, so don’t be surprised if you need to make more.
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.

Tangy, saucy, and a hint of sweet, this Panda Express Beijing Beef recipe brings out takeout flavors at their best. Each bite comes with tender strips and a sticky finish. Copycat recipes like this prove takeout isn’t your only option. You’ll likely get requests to make it again.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Beijing Beef

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.

Lemon brightens up the night with this Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken dish. Each bite bursts with a unique mix of citrus and savory flavors you won’t forget. Shredded chicken also makes for easy serving and sharing. It’s just right for nights when you want a bit more excitement at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Sweet and Sour Pork

Pork coated in sweet and sour sauce gives your dinner a tasty upgrade with this Sweet and Sour Pork. Each serving is a balance of tangy, sweet, and savory that works well over rice. Portions seem to vanish quickly from any table. Takeout favorites get even better once you try making your own.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Caramelized Fried Banana

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

Dessert after takeout can be a treat, especially with this Caramelized Fried Banana. Warm and sweet, the bananas become a perfect finish to any meal. The simple treat melts in your mouth and feels a bit special. Adding fruit to the mix means dessert comes together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Fried Banana

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.

Nothing beats the crispy crunch of this Egg Roll as a snack or a side. Each bite has just enough flavor and fun to leave you wanting a second one. Great for dipping and perfect for a quick meal, egg rolls are always welcome on the table. Homemade takes way less effort than you think.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll

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.

Heat meets crunch in this Kung Pao Chicken dish. The blend of sauce and peanuts brings real excitement to dinner, all in about the time it takes for takeout arrival. You can always count on this for a meal that stands out. Dinners just get more interesting with a little extra heat and spice.
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.

You can whip up this Egg Fried Rice in less time than it takes to call in an order. It’s fluffy, savory, and pairs with about anything you serve. Bowls empty fast when rice tastes this good. Quick, homey meals start here and keep everyone asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sticky, saucy, and a little bright, this Sweet and Sour Chicken always brings a smile to dinner. Bites are juicy with just the right amount of tang, moving dinner out of the boring zone. It’s the type of meal everyone wants seconds of. Takeout craving fades away once you dig in.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crispy Egg Rolls

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

Golden wrappers and savory filling make these Crispy Egg Rolls perfect for sharing. A little crunch in every bite brings excitement to even the simplest meal. Dipping sauces make the experience even better. Egg rolls like these remind you homemade is worth it every time.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Egg Rolls

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.

Teriyaki sauce makes this Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken a dinner hit. The chicken is tender and loaded with that signature sweetness you know from takeout shops. Easy meals feel special once you try this dish at home. It’s good enough to skip the delivery fees for.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Wonton Soup

A ceramic bowl of clear soup containing dumplings, sliced mushrooms, broccolini, chopped green onions, and cilantro. — Wonton Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

You don’t have to wait for takeout with this Wonton Soup ready to go. Steamed dumplings and light broth make for a calming meal that feels good after a busy day. Every spoonful is gentle yet satisfying. Everyone comes back for another helping whenever wonton soup is on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Wonton Soup

Candied Tanghulu

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

Crunchy fruit coated in hard candy makes this Candied Tanghulu a fun street snack you can make yourself. Tart and sweet together, these come together faster than you think. Just one piece has everyone interested and wanting a taste. Watching fruit turn glossy is part of the fun with treats like these.
Get the Recipe: Candied Tanghulu

Sweet Orange Chicken

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

Oranges and crispy chicken become dinner best friends in this Sweet Orange Chicken. The bright sauce, sticky and sweet, coats every piece perfectly. Plates empty in record time each time this dish hits the table. Making takeout classics at home feels like a win for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Orange Chicken

Panda Express Super Greens

A plate of stir-fried kale, broccoli, and sliced onions, served with a pair of chopsticks on the side. — Panda Express Super Greens. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Green veggies become the main event with this Panda Express Super Greens recipe. Broccoli, leafy greens, and light seasoning turn a simple side into something you actually look forward to eating. The meal fits on its own or pairs easily with anything else. Weeknight dinners get a lot more colorful fast.
Get the Recipe: Panda Express Super Greens

Tofu Fried Rice

Plant-based meals go fast with this Tofu Fried Rice. The tofu is satisfying, and the quick cooking means dinner is on the table in minutes. You still get the feel of your favorite takeout without worrying about extra wait time. Finish your day with a bowl that keeps you full and happy.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice