Craving a quick and delicious meal that doesn’t leave a mess? This Easy One-Pan Chinese Dinner is your answer. With vibrant flavors and a simple cooking process, it brings the taste of your favorite takeout right to your kitchen.
Perfect for busy weeknights, it combines savory ingredients in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. Get ready to enjoy a satisfying dish that’s sure to become a household favorite.
Steps
- Pot Stickers (Chinese Dumplings): Combine ground shrimp and beef to prepare the filling for your potstickers. Use gyoza wrappers to form the dumplings, making extra for future meals. Place the prepared potstickers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them for later use.
- Authentic Chinese Egg Rolls: Prepare the filling using traditional ingredients passed down through generations in the Ling family. Wrap the filling in egg roll wrappers and fry until golden brown.
- Crab Rangoon: Mix the crab filling and place it in wonton wrappers. Seal the edges and either bake or deep fry the dumplings for a crunchy texture.
- Chinese Chicken Wings: Marinate chicken wings overnight in a flavorful marinade. Grill the marinated wings until cooked through, adding minced fresh ginger for an extra layer of flavor if desired.
- Egg Drop Soup: Heat chicken broth and gradually stir in whisked eggs to create ribbons. Add chives or green onions for garnish, and thicken with cornstarch if preferred.
- Wonton Soup: Boil wontons separately and serve them in hot chicken stock. Experiment with different fillings for a variety of flavors.
- Chinese Spicy Hot And Sour Soup: Use shiitake and oyster mushrooms as substitutes for hard-to-find ingredients. Enhance the sourness with extra rice vinegar and enjoy this flavorful soup.
- Chinese Lion’s Head Soup: Create meatballs and cook them in a savory broth. Serve with white sticky rice for a comforting meal.
- General Tsao’s Chicken II: Double fry chicken pieces for a crispy texture. Stir-fry the chicken with a spicy-sweet sauce and adjust the heat level with chilies.
- Honey Sesame Chicken: Deep-fry chicken pieces and coat them in a sweet and zesty honey sesame sauce. Garnish with green onions for added flavor.
- Sweet and Sour Chicken I: Prepare a sweet and tangy sauce to coat fried chicken pieces. Serve with steamed rice for a complete meal.
- Kung Pao Chicken: Stir-fry chicken with peanuts or cashews and vegetables. Adjust the spiciness to your liking by adding or reducing chilies.
- Sweet and Spicy Sesame Chicken: Combine chicken and broccoli in a sweet and spicy sauce. Serve over rice for a balanced meal.
- Chef John’s Cashew Chicken: Use leftover grilled chicken in a nutty sauce and serve it over hot cooked rice. The smoky flavor of the chicken adds depth to the dish.
- Sesame Beef: Marinate beef and quickly cook it on the stovetop. Serve with reserved marinade over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork): Marinate pork in a sweet and tangy sauce, adding rice wine vinegar for balance. Grill until perfectly cooked.
- Restaurant Style Beef and Broccoli: Cook beef and broccoli in a classic sauce. Serve with rice for a traditional Chinese takeout experience.
- Mongolian Beef and Spring Onions: Prepare a sweet and savory sauce and cook with beef and onions. Adjust the sugar and spice levels to your preference.
- Ma Po Tofu: Cook tofu with a spicy and fragrant sauce. Serve with rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
- Honey Walnut Shrimp: Fry shrimp and coat them in a honey walnut sauce. Serve as a main dish or appetizer.
- Szechwan Shrimp: Sauté shrimp in a spicy Szechwan sauce. Adjust the heat by modifying the amount of red pepper used.
- Steamed Fish with Ginger: Steam fish and top with ginger and soy sauce. Serve with rice for a healthy and flavorful meal.
- Shrimp with Broccoli in Garlic Sauce: Stir-fry shrimp and broccoli in a garlic sauce. Serve with rice for a quick and easy meal.
- Green Onion Cakes: Mix dough with green onions and fry until golden. Serve as a side dish to complement your meal.
- Eggplant with Garlic Sauce: Cook eggplant in a savory garlic sauce. Substitute fresh garlic and chicken broth for added depth of flavor.
- Tofu Peanut Stir-Fry: Fry tofu until crispy and mix with vegetables and a peanut sauce. Serve with rice or noodles.
- Orange Beef-Style Tofu Stir-Fry: Prepare tofu with an orange sauce, adding extra vegetables for a complete dish.
- Lo Mein Noodles: Cook spaghetti noodles with soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and honey. Add vegetables and protein for a hearty meal.
- Fried Rice Restaurant Style: Sauté rice with vegetables and seasonings. For authentic texture, stir the rice over high heat before cooking.
- Chinese Chicken Fried Rice II: Use frozen mixed vegetables and cook with rice and chicken for a quick meal. Perfect for children and adults alike.
- Chow Mein with Chicken and Vegetables: Cook chicken and vegetables in a light sauce. Serve with chow mein noodles for a mild and flavorful dish.
- Hong Kong Style Egg Tarts: Prepare egg custard and bake in tart shells. Store leftovers in the fridge for a sweet treat later.
- Almond Cookies (Dim Sum Variety): Mix almond-flavored dough and bake for a simple and delicious cookie. Enjoy these as a dessert or snack.
- Fried Ice Cream: Coat ice cream in a crunchy shell and fry quickly. Freeze well before frying for the best results.
- Homemade Fortune Cookies: Make batter and shape into cookies with handwritten fortunes. Enjoy as a fun and personalized dessert.
Ingredients
- Ground shrimp
- Ground beef
- Gyoza wrappers
- Soy sauce (for dipping)
FAQ
- Can I freeze potstickers for later use?
- Yes, you can freeze potstickers for future meals. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Label and date the bag. Cook them directly from frozen, adding a bit more cooking time, or defrost on the countertop for a few minutes before frying.
- What is the best way to make egg drop soup thicker?
- To thicken egg drop soup, simply add a bit more cornstarch. Additionally, using a low-sodium chicken broth can help manage the saltiness, especially since soy sauce already contributes a significant amount of flavor.
- How can I adjust the spiciness in General Tsao’s Chicken?
- You can modify the heat level in General Tsao’s Chicken by altering the amount of chilies used. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the chilies, or increase them for more spice. Cashews can be used as an alternative to peanuts in this dish.
- Is there a gluten-free option for Honey Walnut Shrimp?
- Yes, Honey Walnut Shrimp can be made gluten-free by using cornstarch in place of wheat flour. Many people prefer this method, as it maintains the dish’s texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- What is a simple side dish to pair with Chinese main courses?
- Green Onion Cakes are a great option as a lighter side dish. They can be made with extra onion powder for added flavor and are perfect for soaking up sauces. Make a double batch and freeze extras for later use.
- How can I achieve restaurant-style fried rice at home?
- To make fried rice similar to restaurant quality, cook the rice in a pot over high heat, stirring for about five minutes before adding other ingredients. This helps the grains stay separate and reduces stickiness. Frozen peas and carrots work well in this recipe.
Tips
- Pot Stickers Preparation: When making potstickers, consider making extra filling and dumplings for future meals. Store them by freezing on a parchment-lined baking sheet before transferring to a zip-top bag. You can cook them directly from the freezer with a little extra time or thaw them slightly before frying.
- Egg Drop Soup Customization: If you prefer a thicker consistency for your egg drop soup, add a bit more cornstarch. For a healthier option, choose low-sodium chicken broth and consider adding frozen corn for extra texture.
- General Tsao’s Chicken Cooking Method: To save time or oil, try stir-frying the chicken instead of deep frying. After removing the cooked chicken, prepare the sauce and then combine everything. Adjust the spiciness by altering the amount of chilies to suit your taste.
- Fried Rice Technique: For restaurant-style fried rice, cook the rice in a pot over high heat for about five minutes before cooking to keep the grains separate and less sticky. Adding frozen peas and carrots can enhance the dish while saving time.
Equipment
- Wok – Essential for stir-frying and preparing many Chinese dishes.
- Bamboo Steamer – Useful for steaming dumplings, buns, and other items.
- Deep Fryer or Large Pot for Deep Frying – Needed for dishes like Crab Rangoon and Sweet and Sour Chicken.
- Pasta Maker or Dumpling Press – Helpful for making homemade dumplings or noodles.
- Rice Cooker – For perfect, fluffy rice every time.
- Mandoline Slicer – For quickly and uniformly slicing vegetables.
- Cleaver – A versatile knife for chopping meats and vegetables.
- Mortar and Pestle – Useful for grinding spices or making pastes.
- Spider Strainer – For safely removing fried items from hot oil.
- Rolling Pin – Necessary if you’re making dough for items like potstickers or egg rolls.
