10+ Easy Chinese Recipes to Whip Up Delicious Meals in No Time

Chinese food’s got fans everywhere, thanks to its bold flavors and endless variety. You might think making these dishes at home sounds intimidating, but honestly, it’s not as tricky as it seems.

Easy Chinese recipes let you whip up tasty meals fast, no fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen needed.

You can put together delicious, simple dishes that actually fit into a busy life. These recipes are quick, straightforward, and made for home cooks.

Whether you’re new to cooking or just want dinner on the table without a headache, these ideas will bring Chinese flavors straight to your kitchen.

1) Tomato and Egg Stir Fry

This one’s a classic—super quick and genuinely easy. Fresh tomatoes and eggs come together in a dish that’s somehow both light and satisfying.

The eggs turn out soft and silky, while the tomatoes add a sweet-tangy punch. Toss in a little sugar and salt to round things out.

You only need a handful of ingredients and a single pan. Perfect for those nights when you want something healthy but don’t want to spend forever cooking.

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 1 scallion (optional)
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil)

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat the eggs with a pinch of salt.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
3. Pour in eggs and stir gently until soft, then scoop them out.
4. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they’re soft.
5. Return eggs to the pan and mix with tomatoes.
6. Add sugar and adjust salt.
7. Give it another minute or two, then serve.

2) Pot Stickers (Chinese Dumplings)

Pot stickers are surprisingly doable at home. You fill dumplings with pork, cabbage, and green onions, then pan-fry them for crispy bottoms and steam them to finish.

Store-bought wrappers work just fine if you’re not into making dough. These dumplings hit the spot as a snack or a meal.

Serve them with soy sauce or any dipping sauce you like. They take about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 4 napa cabbage leaves, minced
• 6 green onions, minced
• 7 shiitake mushrooms, minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 package pot sticker wrappers

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pork, cabbage, green onions, mushrooms, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
2. Put a spoonful of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
5. Set pot stickers flat side down. Let them get golden on the bottom, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Pour in 1/4 cup water, cover, and steam for 5-6 minutes.
7. Take off the lid and let them crisp up again.
8. Serve with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Need more details? Here’s an easy potstickers recipe.

3) Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is about as simple as it gets. You can throw it together in 15 minutes.

All you need is chicken broth, eggs, and a few seasonings. Green onions or tofu are nice extras if you have them.

The soup is comforting and light, making it a great starter or a quick meal. Warm, easy, and honestly kind of nostalgic.

Get a detailed recipe here.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• Salt, to taste
• White pepper, to taste
• 1 green onion, sliced (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat chicken broth in a pot until it boils.
2. Mix cornstarch and cold water, then stir into the broth.
3. Beat eggs. Pour them into the boiling broth while stirring gently.
4. Add salt and white pepper.
5. Turn off the heat and garnish with green onion if you want.
6. Serve it up hot.

4) Honey Garlic Shrimp

Honey garlic shrimp is a weeknight hero. You can have it ready in under 20 minutes.

The shrimp soaks up a sweet and savory sauce made from honey, soy, and a splash of lime juice. Serve it over rice or noodles for a full meal.

If you crave takeout but want to cook at home, this one’s a solid choice. It’s easy, fast, and doesn’t ask for much.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for about a minute until it smells amazing.
3. Toss in shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and lime juice. Let it bubble for a minute or two.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve it hot.

Want more details? Check out this honey garlic shrimp recipe.

5) Beef Mushroom Stir-Fry

Beef mushroom stir-fry is a go-to for busy nights. Thin beef and mushrooms cook up quickly in a savory, slightly sweet sauce.

Serve it over rice or noodles—whatever you’re in the mood for. Garlic and ginger add a punch of flavor without much work.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef steak, thinly sliced
• 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Optional: crushed chili flakes

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Stir-fry beef for 1-2 minutes until browned.
3. Add garlic, ginger, and mushrooms. Cook 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Let it cook 2 more minutes.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

6) Chinese Spicy Wontons

Spicy wontons are little flavor bombs. You fill wrappers with ground pork, soy, ginger, and sesame oil, then boil them until they’re tender.

The real magic is in the chili oil sauce—spicy, savory, and a touch sweet. These work as a snack or a main dish with rice.

Making them at home is faster than you’d think, and the chili sauce really wakes up your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 pack wonton wrappers (40-50)
• 250-300g ground pork
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp chili oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped scallions

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and scallions for the filling.
2. Put 1 tsp filling on each wrapper, fold, and seal.
3. Boil wontons in hot water until they float, about 4-5 minutes.
4. Stir together chili oil, sugar, and garlic for the sauce.
5. Drain wontons and toss them in the chili sauce before serving.

Want to go deeper? Check out Sichuan Spicy Wonton in Chili Oil.

7) Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken is a classic for a reason. You get crispy chicken pieces in a tangy, bright lemon sauce.

Start by frying battered chicken until golden. Then, make a sauce with lemon juice, garlic, sugar, and a splash of soy.

Pour the sauce over the chicken for a sweet-sour combo that’s hard to beat. It’s ready in about 30 minutes and feels lighter than most fried dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, cornstarch, and egg for the batter.
2. Coat chicken pieces in the batter.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken until golden and cooked through.
4. In a pan, combine lemon juice, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic.
5. Heat until sugar dissolves.
6. Toss fried chicken in the lemon sauce.
7. Serve right away.

Here’s a Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe if you want more tips.

8) Shrimp and Tomato Stir Fry

Shrimp and tomato stir fry is a breeze. You cook shrimp with fresh tomatoes in a savory sauce.

Start with garlic and ginger for extra flavor. Add the shrimp, cook until they turn pink, then toss in tomatoes and a sauce made from ketchup or soy.

You probably have everything you need already. It’s a perfect go-to for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 3 tablespoons ketchup or tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Toss in the garlic and ginger.
3. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds, just until you smell that aroma.
4. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Once they turn pink, toss in the tomatoes.
6. Cook for another 2 minutes, letting the tomatoes soften up.
7. Mix ketchup and soy sauce together, then pour it into the pan.
8. Give everything a good stir.
9. Cook for one more minute.
10. Season with salt.
11. Serve it warm—don’t wait too long.

For some extra ideas, check out shrimp and tomato stir fry tips at Omnivore’s Cookbook.

9) Soy Sauce Fried Rice

Soy sauce fried rice is honestly one of the best ways to use up leftover rice. It’s so quick, and you don’t need much—just a few basics.

The main flavors come from soy sauce, green onions, eggs, and a bit of butter.
Start by scrambling the eggs in a hot pan.
Add the rice and pour in the soy sauce.
Stir everything together so the rice gets coated.
Toss in as many green onions as you want for a fresh kick.
If you’re into garlic, go ahead and add some—it never hurts.

This dish cooks up super fast.
You can eat it on its own or with something else.
Try tossing in veggies, tofu, or even some leftover meat if you’re feeling creative.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rice (cold rice works best)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. If you’re using garlic, add it now and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Beat the eggs and scramble them in the pan until they’re just set.
4. Add the rice and soy sauce.
5. Stir everything well so the flavors mix.
6. Toss in the green onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve it warm.

For more ideas, check this soy sauce fried rice recipe.

10) Wintermelon and Pork Soup

Wintermelon and pork soup is one of those comforting dishes that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Wintermelon is a mellow, gentle-tasting melon that gets soft and a little juicy when you cook it.

To start, simmer pork ribs or bones to build a rich broth.
Once you’ve got a good base, add wintermelon cubes and cook until they’re tender.
Green onions at the end add a bit of brightness.

This soup feels light and goes down easy.
Even if you’re new to cooking, you can pull it off.

Ingredients

• 600 g wintermelon, peeled and cut into cubes
• 500 g pork ribs or pork bones
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the pork ribs. Boil them in water for 5 minutes, then drain.

2. Pour fresh water into a pot and toss in the pork ribs. Bring everything to a boil. Simmer for about an hour—yeah, it takes a bit.

3. Toss in wintermelon cubes. Let it all simmer another 20-30 minutes.

4. Sprinkle in some salt. Top with chopped green onions just before you serve.

Want more info? Check out wintermelon soup with pork ribs.