Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

🥢 Chinese–Mediterranean Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

🧄 Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (Mediterranean base instead of sesame oil)

• 3 cups green cabbage, shredded

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 carrot, julienned

• 3 green onions, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey or Mediterranean alternative: date syrup

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mediterranean flavor)

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

• Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or couscous, for serving

🔥 Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, honey (or date syrup), oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Add sliced chicken, season lightly with salt and pepper, and stir-fry for about 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.

   • Remove the chicken and set aside.

3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

   • In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.

   • Add garlic, ginger, cabbage, carrot, and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until just tender but still crisp.

4. Combine Everything:

   • Return the chicken to the pan.

   • Pour the prepared sauce over and toss well to coat.

   • Cook for another 2–3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.

5. Finish and Serve:

   • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

   • Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil before serving.

   • Serve over brown rice, quinoa, or couscous for a full Mediterranean-style meal.

💡 Tips

• For extra Mediterranean flair, add a handful of kalamata olives or a drizzle of fresh lemon juice before serving.

• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add it in step 4.

• You can substitute cabbage with broccoli or kale for variation.