The 10 Most Popular Chinese Chicken Dishes That You Need to Try

Chinese food is famous all over the world for its fragrant and flavorful dishes made with a wide range of ingredients and cooking methods. Chinese chicken dishes have certain traditional ways of making them that make them stand out as the most loved and traditional. Traditional Chinese chicken dishes range from spicy Sichuan dishes to calm Cantonese dishes and everything in between.

This article will talk about the 10 best-known and most-reviewed Chinese chicken dishes that show what Chinese food is all about. Everyone who loves good food should look for and enjoy these chicken dishes while they are in China.

1. Kung Pao Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding)

Kung Pao Chicken, which got a score of 4, is the best Chinese chicken dish on the list. 9/5 based on 357 reviews. This famous stir-fry comes from the province of Sichuan and has chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and a special sauce that tastes like Sichuan peppers. In the end, it tastes and feels like a symphony of savory, sweet, nutty, and slightly numbing heat. The balanced sauce, which is made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and chili bean paste, is what makes Kung Pao taste so good. Everyone loves Kung Pao Chicken, which is always on Chinese takeout menus around the world. It has a lot of different flavors that you should try.

2. General Tso’s Chicken

Coming in at number two with a score of 4.7/5 based on 289 reviews is General Tso’s Chicken. While not a traditional Chinese dish, this sweet, tangy and crispy chicken creation has become one of the most recognized Chinese-American chicken preparations. Marinating chicken pieces in egg white, cornstarch, and rice wine before deep-frying yields an impossibly crispy exterior. The chicken is then doused in a sticky sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and dried chili peppers. General Tso’s Chicken is a favorite for its contrast of crunchy chicken and sweet-spicy sauce.

3. Sesame Chicken

Another iconic Chinese-American chicken dish is Sesame Chicken, which earns an impressive 4.6/5 rating based on 201 reviews. In this recipe, boneless chicken is coated in a light batter, fried, then dressed with a sauce of honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds. The glistening sauce provides a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors, complementing the crispy fried chicken. Sesame Chicken is a staple menu item across North American Chinese restaurants for good reason – its taste and texture are irresistible.

4. Moo Goo Gai Pan

Cantonese chicken dish Moo Goo Gai Pan is a soothing dish for people who like milder flavors. It gets 4 stars. 5/5 with 182 reviews. A light sauce made of chicken broth and oyster sauce is stir-fried with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, snow peas, and other vegetables. The chicken breast slices are very tender. The fresh taste of the ingredients is brought out by how simple the dish is. Moo Goo Gai Pan is a healthy go-to for dinner during the week, and its simplicity makes it comforting.

5. Orange Chicken

With a 4.4/5 rating based on 298 reviews, Orange Chicken combines the sweet citrus flavor with the satisfying crunch of fried chicken Chicken pieces are lightly battered and fried until crispy then tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce. The bright pop of orange cuts through the richness of the fried chicken for a dish that manages to be refreshing yet decadent Beloved for the flavor contrast, Orange Chicken is a staple in North American Chinese restaurants.

6. Chicken with Cashew Nuts (Jīng Miào Jī Dīng)

Originating from the Fujian and Sichuan regions of China, this dish earns a score of 44/5 from 182 reviews Diced chicken is stir-fried with crisp cashew nuts, mushrooms, bell peppers and bamboo shoots in a sauce of oyster sauce, soy sauce and shaoxing wine. The medley of tasty protein and crunchy vegetables over tender noodles makes this a one-bowl meal with diverse flavors and textures. The subtle sweetness of the sauce perfectly complements the chicken and vegetables.

7. Black Pepper Chicken (Hēi Hú Ji)

True to its name, this aromatic Sichuan preparation spotlights the intense flavor of black peppercorns. The 4.3/5 rated dish from 124 reviews features chicken pieces covered in a savory sauce of black pepper, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Onions, bell peppers and sometimes broccoli add crunch and freshness. The liberal use of freshly cracked black pepper delivers a distinctly bold, almost briny flavor that sets this dish apart. The contrast of the crisp vegetables and peppery chicken is highly addictive.

8. Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings (Yán Yú Ji Chi)

These explosively flavorful chicken wings earn 4.3/5 from 201 reviews. Marinated overnight in rice wine, ginger and scallions, the wings are then fried and tossed in a mixture of crunchy fried garlic, shallots, red chilies and Sichuan peppercorn. The addition of salt and pepper creates a highly savory, aromatic coating on the juicy wings. The crispy, salty, and slightly numbing flavors have made this dish a popular appetizer and snack across China.

9. Chicken Chow Mein

A staple on North American Chinese takeout menus, Chicken Chow Mein earns 4.2/5 based on 182 reviews. While the dish originated from Guangdong province in China, the version most recognized today was invented by Chinese immigrants in the West. It consists of pan-fried egg noodles, chicken, celery, bean sprouts and other vegetables. The light seasoning of soy sauce and oyster sauce allows the fresh ingredients to shine. Enjoyed for its mix of tastes and textures, Chicken Chow Mein is slurp-worthy comfort food.

10. Soy Sauce Chicken (Si Yau Gai)

Rounding out the list with 4.1/5 based on 124 reviews is this quintessential Cantonese dish. Chicken is simmered in a fragrant mix of soy sauce, garlic, ginger and star anise. The chicken emerges fall-off-the-bone tender in an umami-rich braising liquid. Often served chilled, Soy Sauce Chicken highlights the natural flavors of the chicken and sauce. In its simplicity, this soothing dish encapsulates the refined essence of Cantonese cuisine.

From fiery Sichuan favorites to soothing Cantonese classics, this list encompasses the breadth of flavors and cooking styles found in Chinese cuisine. While preferences vary between individuals, these chicken dishes represent the most highly regarded and essential preparations that evoke the spirit of Chinese culinary culture. For an authentic taste of China, be sure to sample these iconic and crowd-pleasing chicken creations during your travels. Your tastebuds will thank you.