Craving something bold and savory that tastes just like your favorite Chinese takeout? This Chinese Scallion Chicken is the perfect dish to make at home. Tender chicken thighs (or breasts, if you prefer) sizzle with aromatic flavors, and a rich scallion sauce comes together in a flavorful stir-fry that’s both easy and delicious.
Jump To
It’s the kind of chicken recipe that feels special yet comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. With soy sauce, fragrant scallions, and a splash of Shaoxing wine, every bite is packed with delicious, restaurant-style flavor. Read on for more about this mouthwatering recipe!
Simple ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this scallion chicken recipe at home:
- Boneless chicken thighs: You can also use chicken breast if preferred, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- A bunch of green onions (scallions): sliced into 2-inch pieces
- Cooking oil: vegetable, canola, or peanut oil all work well)
- Light soy sauce
- Dark soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Corn starch
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
- Shaoxing cooking wine
- Optional: fresh ginger, finely minced for extra fragrance
Step-by-step cooking directions
Here’s a simple and flavorful way to make Chinese scallion chicken at home. Follow these step-by-step directions to make this classic Chinese scallion chicken.
Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting your boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt, a little black pepper, cornstarch, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing cooking wine.
Mix everything together: Let the chicken marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prep the rest of your ingredients. This helps tenderize the meat and adds great flavor.
Prepare the Scallions: Slice your green onions into thin pieces, keeping the white and green parts separate. The white part has a stronger flavor and takes a bit longer to cook, while the green part adds a fresh, slightly sweet finish at the end.
Cook the Chicken: Heat cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the marinated chicken to the hot pan in a single layer. Let it sear without moving it for a couple of minutes to get a nice golden crust. Then stir and continue to cook until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes total.
Sauté the Aromatics with green onions: Toss in the white parts of the scallions and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until they soften and release their flavor. Then, add the green parts of the scallions and cook everything together for another 10 seconds. The green onions should stay bright and slightly crisp, adding color and freshness.
Serve your Chinese Scallion Chicken hot over white steamed rice. Enjoy!
Pro tips
Want to take your homemade scallion chicken to the next level? These simple tips make a big difference:
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness. They stay tender and flavorful, even after high-heat stir-frying.
- Cornstarch = tender chicken: Don’t skip this; it helps seal in moisture and gives the chicken a silky texture.
- Pat the chicken dry before cooking. This helps get that golden, slightly crispy sear on the outside.
- Don’t overcook the scallions. Add the green parts at the end to keep them fresh and bright.
- Can’t find Shaoxing wine? Dry sherry or rice vinegar with a pinch of sugar works as a good substitute.
- Serve immediately. Like most stir-fries, this dish tastes best hot and fresh off the stove.
Storage
Got leftovers? Store your scallion chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply toss in a hot pan or microwave until warmed through. It also freezes well for meal prep, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Delicious variations
Looking to switch things up? This easy Chinese Scallion Chicken recipe is super versatile. Here are a few tasty ways to make it your own:
- Spicy Scallion Chicken: Add a sliced chili pepper or a dash of chili garlic sauce to the stir-fry for a little heat.
- Vegetable Boost: Toss in bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or broccoli to make it a one-pan meal with extra veggies.
- Gluten-free: Swap regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, and use a gluten-free oyster sauce alternative.
- Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce and skip the oyster sauce, or replace it with a splash of mushroom soy sauce for a similar umami flavor without the added salt.
- Chicken Breast Swap: If you prefer leaner meat, chicken breast works great too, just be careful not to overcook it.
- Serve with noodles: Skip the rice and serve over lo mein, chow mein, or ramen-style noodles for a hearty twist.
These variations allow you to customize your scallion chicken to suit your taste or dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.
Pairing suggestions
This Chinese Scallion Chicken is best enjoyed over steamed jasmine rice that soaks up its savory ginger-scallion sauce.
For a well-rounded meal, add stir-fried veggies like bok choy or snap peas for freshness and crunch.
You can also start with a comforting bowl of egg drop or hot and sour soup to complement the bold flavors. If you prefer noodles, lo mein or simple sesame oil–tossed rice noodles are great options.
For a light, refreshing side, a cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds balances the meal perfectly. These easy pairings make your homemade scallion chicken feel like a satisfying takeout feast.
Final thoughts
If you're looking for a flavorful, easy-to-make chicken recipe that brings the taste of Chinese takeout right to your kitchen, this Chinese Scallion Chicken is a must-try. With juicy chicken, fragrant aromatics, and a savory ginger scallion sauce, it's the kind of dish that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen.
If you’re cooking for a busy weeknight, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. Once you try it, it'll quickly become part of your regular dinner rotation! Happy cooking!
FAQ
Yes! Just reduce cooking time slightly, as chicken breast cooks faster and can dry out more easily.
Shaoxing wine adds depth and authenticity, but you can substitute dry sherry or skip it if needed. Though the flavor will be slightly different.
Not by default, but you can add chili oil or flakes to turn up the heat.
Yes! Cook everything and store it in the fridge. Reheat in a pan just before serving.
Absolutely. Just be sure to cook the chicken in batches to keep it from steaming.
Classic Chinese Scallion Chicken Recipe in 30 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs
- 4 cups green onions
- 4 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon dark soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing cooking wine
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting your boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt, a little black pepper, cornstarch, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce and Shaoxing cooking wine. Mix everything together and let the chicken marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prep the rest of your ingredients. This helps tenderize the meat and adds great flavor.
- Prepare the Scallions: Slice your green onions into thin pieces, keeping the white and green parts separate. The white part has a stronger flavor and takes a bit longer to cook, while the green part adds a fresh, slightly sweet finish at the end.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the marinated chicken to the hot pan in a single layer. Let it sear without moving it for a couple of minutes to get a nice golden crust. Then stir and continue to cook until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes total.
- Sauté the Aromatics with green onions: Toss in the white parts of the scallions and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until they soften and release their flavor. Then, add the green parts of the scallions and cook everything together for another 10 seconds. The green onions should stay bright and slightly crisp, adding color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve your Chinese Scallion Chicken hot over white steamed rice. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply