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The Ultimate Guide: 27 Classic Chinese Main Dishes

FEBRUARY 09, 2023
MAIN DISHES
CHINESE
The Ultimate Guide: 27 Classic Chinese Main Dishes
Welcome, fellow food lovers, to an immersive journey across the vast culinary landscape of China. Though the journey is long, we promise, it will be one of the most delicious adventures you will ever embark upon. Do you relish the tangy fusion of soy, vinegar, and ginger that lies at the heart of Szechuan stir-frys? Or perhaps, the comforting warmth of a Cantonese hot pot steeped in a broth teeming with flavors awaits you? Our selection of 27 classic Chinese main dishes offers you this and much more. Relive the timeless feel of age-old Beijing kitchens through recipes infused with the gentle sweetness of Hoisin sauce and aromatic star anise. Ride the tantalizing tide of textures from the crunch of bok choy to the juiciness of steamed dumplings and the tender pulls of hand-pulled noodles. No stone is left unturned. No flavor left unexplored. Beyond merely recipes, this collection aims to be your companion, guiding you to replicate the exotic tastes and appreciate the customs embedded in Chinese cuisine. With each dish, you’ll gain intimate insights into an intricate culinary culture that has been nurtured and perfected over centuries. Pack your apron, the culinary Great Wall awaits!
Corrie Cooks

Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli

The most popular Instant Pot recipe! Much better than take-out! Feel free to upgrade and add mushrooms, bell peppers and anything you like.
983
183.3k
10.2k
25 min
TOTAL TIME
679
CALORIES
$2.87
PER SERVING
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Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
The Modern Proper

Kung Pao Chicken

Our Kung Pao chicken recipe swaps in cashews for the traditional peanuts, and gets extra balance from some added veggies. All the spicy Kung Pao goodness that you crave, no day-after regrets.
23
20,908
170
50 min
TOTAL TIME
514
CALORIES
$2.77
PER SERVING
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Kung Pao Chicken
Savory Tooth

Crazy Good Beef And Broccoli

It's easy to see why this one-pan beef stir fry is one of the most popular recipes on this site, with ultra tender beef strips and juicy bites of broccoli. A sweet-and-savory sauce bumps up the flavors a notch, and it's perfect served with white rice. Looking for a low carb version? Check out Low Ca...
211
154.3k
1.2k
40 min
TOTAL TIME
691
CALORIES
$9.44
PER SERVING
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Crazy Good Beef And Broccoli
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Averie Cooks

Better-Than-Takeout Cashew Chicken

Juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and crunchy cashews coated with the best garlicky soy sauce!! Skip takeout and make your own restaurant-quality meal that's easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthier!!
771
169.6k
1.7k
40 min
TOTAL TIME
533
CALORIES
$2.58
PER SERVING
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Better-Than-Takeout Cashew Chicken
Cooking Made Healthy

Baked Chinese Lemon Chicken

Baked Chinese Lemon Chicken is a crispy, healthier Chinese take-out favorite, coated in crispy panko with fresh lemon sauce.
1
375
1
30 min
TOTAL TIME
316
CALORIES
$0.85
PER SERVING
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Baked Chinese Lemon Chicken
Natasha's Kitchen

General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

General Tso’s Chicken is a Chinese takeout go-to. Make it all in one dish in the comfort of your home for a sweet and spicy treat!
665
41,293
559
30 min
TOTAL TIME
306
CALORIES
$1.01
PER SERVING
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General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Little Sunny Kitchen

Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli

Super easy dump and start Instant Pot chicken and broccoli dinner made in 20 minutes from start to finish! This family-friendly recipe is loved by adults and children alike, the flavors turn out just incredible!
162
121.5k
370.0
20 min
TOTAL TIME
454
CALORIES
$2.29
PER SERVING
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Instant Pot Chicken and Broccoli
Yummy Addiction

Chinese Garlic Chicken

This better-than-takeout garlic chicken makes a great dinner served over a bed of rice but is also perfect as finger food for a party!
5
64,117
77
25 min
TOTAL TIME
326
CALORIES
$1.80
PER SERVING
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Chinese Garlic Chicken
Half Baked Harvest

Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili oil.

Szechuan style noodles with soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, plenty of vegetables, and thick egg noodles...with the most addicting toasted sesame chili oil spooned over top. All made in about 30 mins!
730
70,169
78
30 min
TOTAL TIME
591
CALORIES
$5.95
PER SERVING
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Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili oil.
Dinner Then Dessert

Panda Express Beijing Beef (Copycat)

Panda Express Beijing Beef is an awesome copycat of the original with crispy strips of marinated beef, bell peppers and sliced onions, tossed in the wok with a tangy sweet and spicy sauce.
19
21,733
400
40 min
TOTAL TIME
925
CALORIES
$5.10
PER SERVING
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Panda Express Beijing Beef (Copycat)
The Seasoned Mom

Egg Roll in a Bowl

All of the delicious flavors of your favorite fried Chinese restaurant appetizer come together in a lighter, faster, one skillet meal! This "Egg Roll in a Bowl" is a quick and healthy dinner that's ready in about 20 minutes!
221
98,920
15,096
20 min
TOTAL TIME
426
CALORIES
$1.82
PER SERVING
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Egg Roll in a Bowl
The Girl on Bloor

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken

This Black Pepper Chicken is like the dish at Panda Express, and the sauce is easy to make with ingredients from your pantry. It's just like Chinese takeout!
6
252
30 min
TOTAL TIME
494
CALORIES
$1.89
PER SERVING
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Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
The Recipe Critic

Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken

Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken is a super easy meal with an amazing sweet and savory sauce with a little bit of heat! This is way better than takeout!
61
62,248
2,788
3 hr 5 min
TOTAL TIME
441
CALORIES
$1.17
PER SERVING
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Slow Cooker General Tso's Chicken
Tasty

Original Orange Chicken By Panda Express Recipe by Tasty

Why order takeout when you can make your own orange chicken at home? This recipe features crispy chicken coated in a zesty orange sauce, and it's easy to make in your own kitchen!
8,356
127.6k
7.1k
35 min
TOTAL TIME
732
CALORIES
$3.86
PER SERVING
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Original Orange Chicken By Panda Express  Recipe by Tasty
30 Days Thirty Handmade Days

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Classic Lemon Chicken with crispy battered chicken thighs in a sweet and tangy sauce makes this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe a treat. You can skip the delivery and the wait and make it at home!
13
81,035
655
1 hr
TOTAL TIME
238
CALORIES
$0.66
PER SERVING
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Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Crunchy Creamy Sweet

General Tso's Chicken

This General Tso's Chicken is a deep-fried chicken tossed in a sweet Asian sauce. This easy takeout recipe is one of the best you can make in your own home! Serve it with rice and steamed vegetables.
5
146
2
29 min
TOTAL TIME
1247
CALORIES
$1.10
PER SERVING
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General Tso's Chicken
Dinner at the Zoo

Chicken Lo Mein

This chicken lo mein is sauteed chicken and vegetables tossed with egg noodles in a savory sauce. A remake of the take out favorite that tastes even better than the restaurant version!
26
75
25 min
TOTAL TIME
526
CALORIES
$1.62
PER SERVING
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Chicken Lo Mein
Delish

Beef & Broccoli

Here's how to make the popular Chinese-American dish at home.
9
30,121
9,757
40 min
TOTAL TIME
426
CALORIES
$2.88
PER SERVING
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Beef & Broccoli
Omnivore's Cookbook

Cantonese Ground Beef Rice and Eggs

It’s a super easy Cantonese minced beef bowl cooked with an oyster-sauce-based sauce, onion, green peas, and runny eggs. Top steamed rice or noodles with it to make a hearty and healthy meal. It’s also perfect to make ahead and use as meal-prep. {Gluten-Free Adaptable}To make this dish gluten-free, ...
13
8,576
180
30 min
TOTAL TIME
904
CALORIES
$2.55
PER SERVING
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Cantonese Ground Beef Rice and Eggs
Eazy Peazy Mealz

Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli

This killer recipe for beef and broccoli is cooked on a single sheet pan in the oven so you don't have to stand over or monitor a wok. And it is absolutely delicious. A decadent sauce, tender beef, and perfectly crisp but tender broccoli make this a family favorite.
19
5,767
64
30 min
TOTAL TIME
379
CALORIES
$7.03
PER SERVING
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Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli
The Woks of Life

CANTONESE SOY SAUCE PAN-FRIED NOODLES

These Cantonese soy sauce pan-fried noodles are so easy to make, with simple ingredients. Just make sure you have a HOT wok to get that seared “wok hay” flavor that everyone loves and craves.
59
11,068
121
30 min
TOTAL TIME
702
CALORIES
$1.96
PER SERVING
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CANTONESE SOY SAUCE PAN-FRIED NOODLES
Savory With Soul

Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken

If you love Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, then you'll really love this copycat recipe of mine. It's more delicious , and, of course, it's cheaper to make at home.
11
339
21
30 min
TOTAL TIME
446
CALORIES
$1.96
PER SERVING
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Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken
China Sichuan Food

Xiao Long Bao—Chinese Soup Dumpling

Chinese Xiao Long Bao--Steamed Soup Dumplings
2
10,007
753
55 min
TOTAL TIME
123
CALORIES
$0.29
PER SERVING
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Xiao Long Bao—Chinese Soup Dumpling
The Recipe Critic

20 Minute Garlic Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein

20 Minute Garlic Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein has melt in your mouth tender beef with broccoli, carrots, and noodles. The sauce adds such amazing flavor to this incredibly easy meal!
135
5
35,554
20 min
TOTAL TIME
459
CALORIES
$3.21
PER SERVING
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20 Minute Garlic Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein
Dinner at the Zoo

Sweet and Sour Pork

This sweet and sour pork is chunks of pork tenderloin that are breaded and fried, then tossed with pineapple and fresh vegetables in a homemade sauce. A classic stir fry that's even better than what you would get at a restaurant!
18
1
50 min
TOTAL TIME
361
CALORIES
$2.18
PER SERVING
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Sweet and Sour Pork
Joyous Apron

Kung Pao Shrimp

Delicious shrimp stir fry dish tossed in a homemade Kung Pao sauce, combined with yummy veggies. Sooo much yummier AND healthier than Chinese takeout!
5
19,068
8
30 min
TOTAL TIME
406
CALORIES
$3.73
PER SERVING
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Kung Pao Shrimp
Once Upon A Chef

Char Siu Chicken

Andrea Nguyen's savory-sweet char siu chicken is easy to make and hard to resist.
39
982
60
30 min
TOTAL TIME
484
CALORIES
$1.27
PER SERVING
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Char Siu Chicken