This Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry is a quick, healthy, and budget-friendly meal packed with flavor. Juicy chicken breast, caramelized onions, crunchy cabbage, and sweet red peppers are tossed in a savory homemade Chinese-style sauce. It’s a perfect one-pan dish for busy weeknights, offering lots of fiber, protein, and colorful veggies.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ head green cabbage, shredded

• 2 green onions, chopped

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

For the Chinese Stir Fry Sauce:

• ½ cup chicken stock

• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix all sauce ingredients together.

2. Marinate the chicken breasts in the sauce for a few minutes.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 8 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 8 minutes.

4. Remove chicken from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board. Once slightly cooled, slice the chicken into strips.

5. In the same pan, add the diced cabbage, onions, and red pepper. Sauté with any leftover marinade from the chicken until the vegetables are softened.

6. Lower the heat, add the minced garlic, and sauté for another minute.

7. Toss in the sliced cooked chicken, and add extra soy sauce or oyster sauce if desired. Stir-fry everything together over low to medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often.

8. Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top, stir, and serve hot!

Nutrients

(Approximate per serving, based on 4 servings)

• Calories: ~290 kcal

• Protein: ~30g

• Fat: ~12g

• Carbohydrates: ~14g

• Fiber: ~4g

• Sugar: ~6g

• Sodium: ~750mg

• Vitamin A: ~35% DV

• Vitamin C: ~90% DV

• Calcium: ~6% DV

• Iron: ~10% DV

Why Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry Is So Popular

The popularity of Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry comes down to its unbeatable combination of ease, health benefits, and taste. It’s a meal that delivers big, satisfying flavors without the need for heavy sauces or complicated techniques. Stir-frying locks in the natural sweetness and crispness of the vegetables while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. The homemade Chinese-style sauce adds the perfect balance of savory, slightly sweet, and umami flavors that coat every bite beautifully. Best of all, it’s quick to make, usually coming together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy families, professionals, and anyone who wants a healthy meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Perfect for Busy Weeknights, Meal Prep, or Light Dinners

This Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry is incredibly versatile, making it an excellent choice for a variety of mealtime needs. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast but still nourishing and delicious. It works wonderfully for meal prep, as the flavors continue to develop and taste even better the next day. If you’re aiming for a lighter dinner that’s still satisfying, this stir fry is a fantastic choice. It fills you up with lean protein and fiber without leaving you feeling heavy. Plus, its vibrant colors and fresh flavors make every meal feel cheerful and energizing.

Celebrating Fresh, Simple Ingredients

The beauty of this dish lies in the freshness and simplicity of its ingredients. Chicken breast provides a lean, high-protein base that absorbs the sauce beautifully. Green cabbage adds a lovely crunch and mild sweetness, offering both texture and nutritional value. Red bell peppers contribute a pop of color, natural sweetness, and a healthy dose of vitamin C. Onions and garlic build a deep, aromatic flavor base, while green onions add a touch of freshness right at the end. The sauce—made with chicken stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and black pepper—ties everything together with a classic Chinese stir fry flavor that feels both familiar and special.

Adaptability and Flavor Variations

Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to tweak it based on your preferences or what’s available in your fridge. Swap the chicken breast for boneless chicken thighs if you prefer richer, juicier meat. You can also substitute or add vegetables like carrots, snap peas, broccoli, mushrooms, or baby corn for extra variety and nutrients. For a spicier version, add a few red chili flakes or a dash of Sriracha to the sauce. If you want a lower-sodium version, use a low-sodium soy sauce and adjust the seasoning accordingly. This flexibility ensures that you can create a slightly different and exciting version of the dish every time you make it.

Nutritional Benefits

Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry is not only delicious but also packs a punch in terms of nutrition. Chicken breast is a fantastic source of lean protein, crucial for muscle repair, satiety, and overall health. Cabbage is loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, supporting digestive health and boosting immunity. Red bell peppers offer an impressive amount of vitamin C and other essential nutrients like vitamin A and potassium. Garlic and onions provide powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that support heart health and overall wellness. By stir-frying with just a tablespoon of sesame oil, the dish remains lower in unhealthy fats while still delivering satisfying flavor and texture.

Tips for the Best Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry

A few easy techniques can elevate your stir fry to restaurant-quality. Slice the chicken breast thinly and evenly to ensure it cooks quickly and remains juicy. Allow the chicken to marinate briefly in the sauce before cooking to enhance flavor and tenderness. When stir-frying, use a large skillet or wok and avoid overcrowding the pan, as this helps achieve a good sear rather than steaming the ingredients. Stir-fry the vegetables just until they are tender-crisp to preserve their color, texture, and nutrients. Adding the garlic toward the end prevents it from burning and keeps its flavor fresh and aromatic. Finally, a sprinkle of black sesame seeds adds a nutty finish and an extra visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry can be enjoyed on its own for a low-carb, high-protein meal, or served alongside other simple accompaniments. It pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lighter option, serve it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. If you’re preparing a larger meal, consider pairing it with other Asian-inspired sides like egg rolls, spring rolls, or miso soup. A simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame seeds offers a cool, crisp contrast to the warm, savory stir fry. It’s also great tucked into lettuce wraps for a fun, handheld meal.

The Joy of One-Pan, Homemade Stir Fries

There’s something uniquely satisfying about preparing a quick and colorful stir fry at home. It captures the excitement of vibrant, bold flavors without the need for complicated sauces or long cooking times. One-pan meals like this Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry are all about efficiency and flavor, celebrating fresh ingredients with minimal cleanup. They offer the best of both worlds: fast food convenience with homemade goodness and nutritional value. Plus, the visual appeal of a skillet full of colorful vegetables and juicy chicken makes every meal feel a little bit more special, even on the busiest days.

Reasons to Love Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry

There are so many reasons to love this recipe. It’s fast, coming together in about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s budget-friendly, using affordable ingredients to create a meal that feels hearty and abundant. It’s packed with nutrients, offering a healthy balance of protein, fiber, and vitamins. It’s incredibly flexible, allowing endless variations depending on what you have on hand. It’s perfect for meal prep, storing well for quick lunches or easy reheats throughout the week. Most importantly, it’s delicious, offering bold, savory flavors that satisfy cravings without sacrificing health.

Conclusion

Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry is a winning recipe that delivers bold flavor, hearty nutrition, and unbeatable convenience all in one colorful, vibrant dish. Tender chicken, crunchy cabbage, sweet red peppers, and a savory homemade sauce come together to create a meal that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying to eat. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal prepping for the week, or simply looking for a healthier alternative to takeout, this stir fry fits the bill perfectly. Simple, flexible, and delicious, it’s a true go-to recipe that deserves a permanent place in your dinner rotation.