Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry (Quick, Easy & High Protein)
Dinner in 20 Minutes? Let’s Make it Happen!
Hey, foodies! Chef Alex here, your kitchen companion who loves nothing more than sharing quick, delicious, and healthy recipes with you. Today, I’m bringing you my all-time favorite weeknight superstar recipe—the mouthwatering Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry. Trust me, this one’s going to win you over with just one bite!
This hearty stir fry has it all—juicy, flavorful chicken, crispy yet tender cabbage, and that irresistible soy-ginger-garlic combo we all love. Plus, did I mention it’s ready in only 20 minutes? Perfect for when you’re starving and dinner just can’t wait (we’ve all been there, right?).
Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry
A Stir Fry Story (Or How This Dish Saved the Day)
Let me take you back to that day when I first fell head over heels for this stir fry. It was a weekday evening. You know those days—endless work calls, emails piling up, errands to run, and suddenly, before you know it, you’re practically hangry. Yup, that was me!
I dashed home, opened the fridge, and realized I hadn’t done grocery shopping (oops). Just a tiny head of cabbage, a few chicken breasts, some garlic on its last leg, and a couple of green onions greeted me miserably. Honestly, it felt hopeless—but voila! Sometimes kitchen magic happens exactly at these moments!
With a little imagination and pantry supplies, our now beloved Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry came to life. It turned out so delectable, it instantly became a regular in my cooking rotation, and it’s always a hit. Make this dish once, and I promise it’ll secure a spot in your dinner rotation too!
Why You’ll Love this Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry:
– Takes just 20 minutes from start to finish
– Uses simple ingredients you probably already have
– Packed with high-quality protein
– Naturally low-carb, perfect for fitness goals
– Beginner-friendly and almost impossible to mess up (seriously!)
Now, ready to create kitchen magic? Let’s get started!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before you start chopping and sizzling, let’s gather everything together:
– 2–3 green onions (bulbs & stalks separated—bulbs sliced thin, stalks chopped for garnish)
– 8.5 oz boneless chicken breast or thighs (cut into thin, bite-sized strips)
– 1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and minced
– 2–3 cloves garlic, minced (because garlic makes everything better!)
– ⅓ small head green or napa cabbage, thinly shredded (roughly 4 cups)
– 1 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil all work great)
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– ¼ cup water (skip this if you’re using napa cabbage—it already has higher water content)
Optional garnish to make it extra yummy:
– Sesame seeds or sesame oil
– Pinch of red chili flakes for that spicy kick (optional, but sooo good!)
👩🍳 Let’s Get Cooking: Easy Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry Step-by-Step
Perfect! You’ve got your ingredients, you’ve sharpened your knives–let’s dive into this quick-and-tasty stir fry. I’ll guide you every step of the way:
Step 1: Prep First (Trust Me, It Makes Life Easier!)
Prepping beforehand helps you cook quicker and keeps you organized—it’s how pros get amazing results every time.
– Thin-slice the green onion bulbs, set aside the stalks separately for garnish.
– Chop the chicken into even, bite-sized thin strips.
– Mince your garlic cloves and ginger finely.
– Shred your green or napa cabbage into thin ribbons—nothing fancy required, rustic is perfect!
Step 2: Heat Things Up 🔥
Grab your skillet or wok. Set the stove burner to high heat (the secret to great stir-fry!), and drizzle in your oil.
Step 3: Aromatics First (Ah, That Smell!)
Once the skillet is sizzling hot, toss in your sliced onion bulbs. Stir fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Now, throw in ginger and garlic; stir-fry for another minute to release their beautiful fragrance.
Step 4: Time for the Veggies
Next, add your shredded cabbage. Cabbage wilts pretty quickly, in around 2 minutes. Keep stirring—we’re looking for tender-crisp, not soggy!
Step 5: Sauce It Up!
Pour in your soy sauce and, if you’re using green cabbage (not napa), add ¼ cup of water. Stir everything and cook another 2–3 minutes till your cabbage softens nicely and the flavors mingle deliciously.
Step 6: Chicken Enters the Pan 🍗
Push cabbage to one side of your pan. Add chicken strips to the now empty side. Let brown for a minute undisturbed, then stir-fry for 4–5 minutes, until fully cooked through (white, juicy centers, no pink!).
Step 7: Combine & Sizzle
Mix cabbage and cooked chicken thoroughly, give it another quick toss, then turn off heat.
Step 8: Garnish & Serve (Almost There!)
Transfer your warm masterpiece to dinner plates, and top generously with chopped green onion stalks, sesame seeds or a drizzle of sesame oil, and red chili flakes if you dig the spice.
Congrats—you’ve crushed it! Homemade culinary magic in 20 minutes flat! 😀
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Wondering how to round out this meal? Here are some awesome, easy ideas:
– Serve it with steamed rice or quinoa for extra fiber and carbs.
– Go low-carb and pair with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
– Try a dash of sriracha or extra chili flakes if you like it spicy!
– For veggie lovers, add carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms. Customize away!
💡 Chef Alex’s Pro Tips
– Pre-chop & store veggies: Meal preppers, rejoice! Prep veggies in advance and keep refrigerated until ready to cook.
– Don’t overcrowd your pan, friends. Keep it hot and spacious so everything stir-fries (instead of steam-cooking).
– Use thighs for juicier results; chicken breasts for leaner protein. Both turn out perfectly, though!
– No fresh ginger? Use ½ tsp dried ginger powder—still amazing!
🥦 Nutritional Information (per serving):
– Servings: 2
– Calories: 258
– Protein: 29g (awesome high protein!)
– Carbs: 12g (low-carb-friendly)
– Fat: 10g
Quick Recap: This stir fry is quick, flavorful, protein-rich, and super approachable even if you’re new to cooking. Hungry yet? Let’s get stir-fryin’
