Keto Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir-Fry
Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 10–15 minutes
- Total: ~25–30 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
Chicken
- 500 g (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 4 cups green cabbage (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup bell pepper (sliced, optional but adds flavor)
- 1 small onion (sliced)
- 2–3 green onions (for garnish)
- 2 cloves garlic (extra, for stir-fry base)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, or sugar-free version)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional for thicker sauce; skip for strict keto)
Cooking Fat
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, mix sliced chicken with:
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Black pepper
Let it sit for 10–15 minutes while prepping vegetables.
2. Make the sauce
In a small bowl, combine:
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Oyster sauce (if using)
- Sesame oil
- Chili flakes
- Chicken broth
Mix and set aside.
3. Cook the chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
Add chicken in a single layer.
Stir-fry for 4–6 minutes until cooked and lightly browned.
Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Stir-fry vegetables
Add remaining oil to the same pan.
Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute.
Add cabbage and bell pepper. Stir-fry for 4–5 minutes until slightly softened but still crunchy.
5. Combine everything
Return chicken to the pan.
Pour in the sauce and toss everything together.
Cook for another 2–3 minutes until well coated and slightly thickened.
6. Finish and serve
Turn off heat.
Top with green onions and optional sesame seeds.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as-is for a strict keto meal
- Add cauliflower rice for extra volume
- Pair with cucumber salad for freshness
Tips and Variations
- Use chicken thighs for juicier texture
- Don’t overcook cabbage—it should stay slightly crunchy
- Add mushrooms or zucchini for more bulk
- Make it spicy with fresh chilies or chili oil
- For extra richness, add a beaten egg at the end and stir quickly
