Chicken Napa Cabbage Stir Fry

Chicken and Napa Cabbage Stir Fry is an easy, flavorful dinner made with tender marinated chicken thighs, napa cabbage, garlic, and dried shrimp. Everything is stir-fried in a savory oyster sauce for a quick meal that is perfect served with rice.

Jump to:

• What Is Napa Cabbage?
• About Dried Shrimp
• How to cook Chicken Napa Cabbage Stir Fry (Step by Step)
• Storage & Reheat
• FAQ
• Chicken Napa Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe
• More Delicious Chicken Stir Fry Recipes
• Pin for later!

The dried shrimp is optional, but I love adding it because it gives the whole dish an extra savory, umami flavor. It pairs especially well with napa cabbage!

What Is Napa Cabbage?

Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage with an oblong shape, pale green leaves, and thick white stems. The leaves are softer and more tender than regular green cabbage, so napa cabbage cooks quickly and works especially well in stir-fries.

It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and becomes tender and juicy when cooked.

Fun fact: Napa cabbage is also one of the most commonly used vegetables for making kimchi!

About Dried Shrimp

Dried shrimp, or 蝦米 (xiā mǐ), are small shrimp that have been dried and preserved. They are commonly used in Chinese, Taiwanese, and other Asian cuisines to add savory seafood flavor and umami to dishes.

We almost always have a jar of dried shrimp in the house because a small amount adds so much flavor!

You can find dried shrimp at most Asian supermarkets. Depending on the size and how dry they are, you can rinse them and use them directly or soak them briefly in warm water before cooking.

Don't have dried shrimp? You can skip them. Garlic, chicken, napa cabbage, and the savory sauce still make a delicious stir fry.

If you like how the dried shrimp turns out, you should check out some of the other ways I use it - Cabbage Stir Fry, Taiwan Rice Noodles Stir Fry, and Bok Choy dish!

How to cook Chicken Napa Cabbage Stir Fry (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

Chicken Marinade

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, bite-size pieces
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine (michiu or Shaoxing)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Stir Fry

• 1½ tablespoons cooking oil, divided as needed
• 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried shrimp
• 5 cups chopped napa cabbage
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• White pepper, to taste
• Salt only if needed

Cut the napa cabbage into roughly 1 to 2-inch pieces.

In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with the soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice cooking wine. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. You can also cover and refrigerate it overnight.

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Add the garlic and dried shrimp, if using, and stir-fry for about 1 minute, until fragrant.

Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, or until the outside is lightly browned. Remove the chicken, garlic, and dried shrimp from the pan and set aside.

If the pan looks dry, add a little more cooking oil.

Add the napa cabbage and stir-fry for about 2 to 3 minutes, until it begins to soften.

Return the chicken mixture to the pan. Add the oyster sauce and brown sugar and toss everything together.

Continue stir-frying for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and the napa cabbage is tender.

Taste and season with salt if needed.

Remove from heat and serve hot with rice!

Storage & Reheat

Storage:
Let the stir fry cool completely before storing. In the Fridge, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat:

• Stovetop (Best): Heat a little oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat, then stir-fry the leftovers for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
• Microwave: Heat in 30-45 second bursts, stirring in between, until hot.

💡 Tip: If it seems a bit dry after refrigerating, add a splash of water or soy sauce while reheating to bring back the flavor and moisture.

FAQ

Can I skip the dried shrimp?
Yes! The dried shrimp adds a savory umami flavor, but it's completely optional. The dish is still delicious with just garlic and napa cabbage.

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely. Chicken breast works too - just be careful not to overcook it so it stays tender and juicy.

Do I need to soak the dried shrimp first?
If your dried shrimp feels very hard or large, give it a quick rinse and soak in warm water for about 5 minutes to soften before cooking. Smaller ones can usually go straight in after rinsing.

What's the best way to serve this dish?
Serve it hot with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice or short-grain white rice. It also goes great with a side of soup or other veggie stir-fries.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes - simply skip the chicken and dried shrimp, and use tofu or mushrooms instead for a flavorful vegetarian version.

More Delicious Chicken Stir Fry Recipes

• If you love spicy food you're going to LOVE this Jalapeno Chicken Stir Fry! It was my FAVORITE dish my mom made when I was growing up - so easy to make and so flavorful!
• For any stir fried chicken dish, you have got to marinate! The marinate helps tenderize the meat and flavor it as well! So definitely check out my simple chicken stir fry marinade to make sure all your stir fries are delicious.
• If you're a fan of cauliflower like we are, you will love this Cauliflower Chicken Stir Fry! It's easy to make and tasty too!
• Add a earthy flavor to your chicken stir fry... with shiitake mushrooms! This Chicken Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry is a HIT every time I make it!

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