31 Chinese Dinners That Make Staying In The Obvious Late-January Move

Cold evenings in late January usually call for meals that are filling and easy to enjoy at home, and 31 Chinese dinners fit the bill. Instead of braving chilly temps or busy restaurants, cooking at home just makes sense. People appreciate options that deliver great flavor without added fuss.

Chicken Chow Mein

Cool evenings call for dishes like this Chicken Chow Mein that promise a pleasing dinner with a single pan. The noodles tangle together with just the right bite, making every forkful a little adventure. I serve this for at-home takeout nights when extra comfort is needed. People keep reaching back for the last strands until the bowl is empty.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chow Mein

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Crisp cucumbers and a hint of heat set this Spicy Cucumber Salad apart as a cool and punchy starter. The crunch wakes up slow winter dinners and gets everyone ready for what’s next. I use it to balance heartier meals or as a quick, refreshing snack. There’s never a slice left over once everyone gets a taste.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Egg Fried Rice

Leftover rice gets a new life in this Egg Fried Rice that feels even better than grabbing takeout. Fluffy grains mix with bits of egg and a pop of color from vegetables. I reach for this dish to use up what’s in the fridge while enjoying extra comfort. Steaming bowls bring everyone around the kitchen table.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Chinese Steamed Chicken

Steaming lets this Chinese Steamed Chicken stay surprisingly juicy, giving you a lighter dinner option in the depths of winter. Subtle flavors shine, making each piece feel special without any heaviness. I enjoy the way leftovers taste cold for next-day lunch. Guests often ask how something so simple is so good.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Steamed Chicken

Caramelized Fried Banana

Sticky and warm, this Caramelized Fried Banana makes everyday evenings feel a little sweet, especially after a bowl of something savory. The caramel crust cracks gently under your fork, revealing soft fruit inside. I pick this dessert when I want a treat that doesn’t need a lot of work. It’s always gone in just a few bites.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Fried Banana

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Tangy and bright, this Sweet and Sour Sauce can transform chicken, pork, or simple rice into a meal everyone looks forward to eating. Dinner plates vanish quickly once this sauce appears. I love prepping extra so there’s enough for dipping everything on the table. It’s the secret to making homemade meals rival any restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Sauce

Cashew Chicken

Nutty crunch and savory chicken make this Cashew Chicken perfect for a homemade feast worth staying in for. Every bite pairs rich sauce with tender protein and satisfying texture. I use this dish to kick off a stay-at-home movie night. There’s never a stray cashew left by the time dinner ends.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Egg Roll

Wrappers fry up crisp in this Egg Roll, keeping every bite crunchy on the outside and filled with savory flavor inside. Dipping turns into a sport when a fresh batch hits the table. I figure out quickly that these disappear faster than I can cool the next batch. People love pairing them with everything else on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll

Hot and Sour Soup

Brothy warmth and small bites of tofu in this Hot and Sour Soup make icy nights feel a little cozier. Each spoonful is tangy and spicy, hitting that just-right winter spot. I turn to it as a starter before a larger meal or to soothe a chilled mood. Steaming mugs never go ignored.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Restaurant-level flavor comes out of the kitchen with this Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken, no delivery tip needed. Sweet glaze clings to juicy bites, making the meal taste both familiar and fresh. I make extra for wraps or rice bowls the next day. Friends are shocked at how close it tastes to the real thing.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken

Wonton Soup

A clear broth holding little wontons brings smiles with every bowl of this Wonton Soup on chilly evenings. Comfort comes with every bite of tender dumplings filled with warmth. I find this dish doubles as an excellent light meal. No spoonful is ever wasted in the pot.
Get the Recipe: Wonton Soup

Candied Tanghulu

Glassy outside, juicy inside, this Candied Tanghulu adds a little sparkle to a cold night at home. Each skewer snaps gently and then bursts with fruitiness. I bring this treat out when movie night needs a fun surprise. Everyone starts asking for another before the first has even disappeared.
Get the Recipe: Candied Tanghulu

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Takeout classics are easy to recreate with this Sweet and Sour Chicken that always draws a crowd. The crisp coating soaks up sauce for that combo of crunchy and tangy in every bite. I share it on evenings when something bright is needed. Empty plates prove just how irresistible the homemade version becomes.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Egg Drop Soup

Ribbons of cooked egg float through every spoonful in this Egg Drop Soup, giving comfort even on gray winter days. The gentle flavors work as a stand-alone snack or a warm appetizer. I often make a big pot for easy lunches later. Friends are surprised how such simple soup can be so filling.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

A hint of spice makes this Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp an unforgettable dinner centerpiece. Crackly shells and juicy centers add crunch and snap with every bite. I think of this for special occasions spent indoors. Lined up on a platter, these shrimp disappear before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

General Tso’s Chicken

Bold, sticky sauce coats tender chicken in this General Tso’s Chicken, delivering a punch of flavor with every bite. It’s the dish everyone requests for a cozy weekend in. I cook extra for next-day lunches and reheating only improves the taste. Takeout at home has never felt this easy.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Beef and Broccoli

A savory sauce ties together tender beef and greens with this Beef and Broccoli recipe that outshines delivery boxes. Steamed rice on the side makes the meal complete. I opt for this when comfort is a must and waiting for takeout sounds exhausting. There’s not a single spear left at the end.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Shrimp Fried Rice

Plump shrimp add excitement to each forkful in this Shrimp Fried Rice, making dinner feel instantly special. The combination of grains and protein makes it a true meal on its own. I rely on it for quick dinners when energy is running low. Everyone goes back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Kung Pao Chicken

A pleasant heat brings everyone to the table for this Kung Pao Chicken filled with crunchy and tender bites. The peanuts add a surprise with every mouthful. I prepare it for nights that need something memorable without lots of fuss. Leftovers are rare because bold flavors never get old.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Chow Mein

Soft noodles twist together with crisp veggies in this Chow Mein, inviting everyone to have a little more. The sauce brings every ingredient together in a cozy way. I dig into second servings when comfort cravings hit. Simple prep and big results make this a regular stay-in favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chow Mein

Pork Fried Rice

Familiar flavors and smart use of leftovers help Pork Fried Rice fit any winter night, whether for dinner or an easy lunch. Every forkful shows why homemade wins over takeout again and again. I turn to this recipe to cut down on food waste. Friends compliment how the flavors develop in the pan.
Get the Recipe: Pork Fried Rice

Crispy Sesame Chicken

Nutty seeds and sticky sauce combine in this Crispy Sesame Chicken that stands up to any restaurant favorite. The crunch stays loud right up to the final bite. I fix extra for leftovers that heat up perfectly. Requests for this recipe start coming in as soon as plates hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sesame Chicken

Vegetable Stir Fry

Oodles of colors make this Vegetable Stir Fry perfect for anyone missing fresh produce through winter. Crisp veggies shine in a glossy, simple sauce. I opt for this meat-free option whenever crowds have different tastes. Bowls are left empty without fail.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Chicken Fried Rice

Bits of chicken transform a bowl of rice into this Chicken Fried Rice that feels just right for snowy evenings at home. The leftovers become lunchboxes all week long. I always keep this in rotation for days when less stress is best. Everyone serves themselves extra before the pan is washed.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

A sweet crunch leads every bite of this Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp, proving you can have restaurant magic at home. The mixture of nutty and honeyed flavors brightens any dreary evening. I rely on this recipe for special occasions on short notice. Leftovers rarely make it to the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Sweet Orange Chicken

Bursts of citrus flavor mix with glaze in this Sweet Orange Chicken, turning dinner into something new and exciting. Everyone crowds the dish looking for the crunchiest piece first. I love using this when a regular weeknight needs something to remember. Late-January blues can’t compete with this much color.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Orange Chicken

Savory Tofu Fried Rice

Even plant-based eaters walk away happy after a serving of this Savory Tofu Fried Rice. The fried tofu cubes bring substance and character to an old favorite. I rely on this one for quick dinners that feed everyone well. Plates clear out faster than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Savory Tofu Fried Rice

Scallion Pancakes

Chewy, flaky layers make these Scallion Pancakes a beloved sidekick for homemade Chinese meals. Their aroma draws people to the kitchen before dinner is announced. I keep batches in the freezer for last-minute cravings. No two bites are ever exactly alike, and that keeps it exciting.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Pancakes

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Quick movement in the pan creates this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry that stays juicy and crisp. Bright colors bring energy to a cold January table. I use this for busy nights that call for health and taste together. Everyone asks about the sauce by the last bite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Sweet and Sour Pork

Golden bites of this Sweet and Sour Pork always spark questions about what makes them so good. The tangy sauce makes each piece impossible to skip. I bring it out for nights meant to chase off winter gloom. Seconds are almost a guarantee for anyone within reach.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Bright lemon flavor dances across bites of this Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken, giving a sunny feel to cold-weather meals. Tender meat soaks up the light glaze without ever feeling heavy. I choose this when dinners need something different but easy. Friends look forward to tasting something unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken