I Didn’t Want to Spend Hours Cooking—These 23 Chinese Recipes Saved Me

When the day gets away from you and the fridge just stares back, these Chinese recipes step up. No marathons in the kitchen, just quick wins all around. They’re the kind of meals that save your evening without making a scene. Whoever said dinner had to be complicated clearly didn’t have this list.

General Tso’s Chicken

If you’re looking for something that feels like takeout without all the fuss, General Tso’s Chicken comes through. It’s bold without being over the top, and it’s quick to pull together when you’re short on time. You won’t be stuck in the kitchen forever with this one. It gets the job done and still feels like a proper meal.
Get the Recipe: General Tso’s Chicken

Shrimp Toast

Shrimp Toast was a surprise hit when I needed something different but easy. It’s got that crunch that makes it feel a little more fun, but it’s not hard to throw together. Perfect when you don’t want to stand at the stove for an hour. It works well as a quick fix or a last-minute add-on.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

This dish has just enough going on to feel like more than your usual quick meal. Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp is not heavy, but still feels like something you’d order out. If your schedule’s packed but you still want something solid, this one works. You don’t have to do much, and it comes out great.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Walnut Shrimp

Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein is one of those meals that feels like it took more time than it actually did. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t leave a mess behind. Perfect for when you’re hungry but tired. It’s a good backup when you need dinner fast.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Chow Mein

Bang Bang Shrimp

When I needed something fast that wasn’t boring, Bang Bang Shrimp stepped up. It’s got a bit of heat but nothing crazy. You can pull it together without thinking too hard. Works well when you’re low on time and energy.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Sesame Chicken

The best part about Sesame Chicken is that it feels like a treat even when it’s easy. No extra steps, just straight to the point. It’s something you can pull off midweek without dragging through dinner. Good option when you’re over the usual stuff.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Chicken

Egg Drop Soup

Egg Drop Soup is great when you want something warm without spending ages cooking. It’s light, fast, and doesn’t need much to work. I’ve made this more times than I can count because it’s just easy. When time’s tight, this one always makes sense.
Get the Recipe: Egg Drop Soup

Cashew Chicken

This dish comes together fast and still feels like a solid dinner. You don’t need to prep a bunch of stuff or watch the stove the whole time. It works when you’re on autopilot and just need something that works. Cashew Chicken is simple but hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Cashew Chicken

Sweet and Sour Pork

When dinner had to be quick but not boring, Sweet and Sour Pork made that happen. It’s got a nice balance without being too much. You don’t have to fuss with it, which helps on busy nights. I keep this one in rotation when I’m short on time.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Pork

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry helped me avoid ordering out again. It’s quick, easy, and actually feels like a full meal. I didn’t have to stand in the kitchen for long either. Great choice when you want something fast but not lazy.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Sweet and Sour Sauce

You can throw Sweet and Sour Sauce on almost anything and suddenly dinner feels more put together. It’s super fast to make and saves a plain meal from feeling dull. It’s one of those quick tricks that comes in handy. Always good to have this up your sleeve.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Sauce

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice is one of those meals that fixes everything when you’re too busy to think. You don’t need a lot to make it work, and it’s done before you know it. It’s a go-to when I want something warm and filling but don’t want to cook forever. Definitely worth keeping around.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fried Rice

Easy Chow Mein

When I was too tired to cook, this one came through fast. Easy Chow Mein is one of those meals that just works when you’re short on time and don’t want a mess. It’s filling, quick, and doesn’t ask for much, which makes it a keeper. You’ll be glad you didn’t skip it when dinner needs to happen fast.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chow Mein

Spicy Cucumber Salad

On nights when I needed something with a kick but zero effort, Spicy Cucumber Salad hit the spot. It comes together fast and still feels like a real dish without dragging things out. It cools you off but keeps things interesting, especially when you want something light. Definitely one I keep on repeat when the kitchen’s the last place I want to be.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Cucumber Salad

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken makes it easy to feel like you actually cooked without stressing out or making a mess. It’s got a good balance that works for both quick meals and leftovers the next day. The prep doesn’t drag, which is what I needed on weeknights. You can throw it together and still feel like dinner was a win.
Get the Recipe: Orange Chicken

Vegetable Stir Fry

This stir fry helped when I didn’t want to think too hard about dinner but still needed to eat. It’s the kind of thing that works with whatever you’ve got in the fridge. No long prep, no fuss, just straight to the point and done. Vegetable Stir Fry is a solid fix when you’re running on empty.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stir Fry

Egg Rolls

These came in clutch more than once when I needed something fast that didn’t look lazy or thrown together. Egg Rolls are a solid backup plan that never feel boring or too plain. They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and always disappear quick from the table. I keep these in rotation because they just work.
Get the Recipe: Egg Rolls

Kung Pao Chicken

Kung Pao Chicken brought enough kick to wake things up without needing extra work or too many steps. It’s bold but easy, which made it perfect for my busiest nights when takeout wasn’t an option. No drawn-out prep or cleanup, just a straight-up good option that keeps things interesting. This one never lets me down.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Hot and Sour Soup

When I needed something warm but didn’t want to cook for an hour, Hot and Sour Soup came through without making a mess. It’s simple, but doesn’t feel basic or boring. Perfect for when you want something quick without it being plain or dull. This one’s always worth making again.
Get the Recipe: Hot and Sour Soup

Fried Banana

Fried Banana surprised me with how fast and easy it was, especially when I needed a quick fix. It feels like dessert without the hassle or the long wait. Just a quick treat that actually hits the spot when you want something sweet. I didn’t expect to like it this much, but now it’s a regular thing.
Get the Recipe: Fried Banana

Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

This dish came in handy when I didn’t want to cook something heavy or time-consuming. Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken is quick, fresh, and doesn’t take much to pull off, even when you’re low on energy. Works great as a light meal when time’s short and you still want something good. Definitely one to keep around when you’re in a rush.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Lemon Shredded Chicken

Tofu Fried Rice

I wasn’t trying to make a whole thing out of dinner, and Tofu Fried Rice made it easy without feeling lazy. It’s filling enough without needing sides or extras, and still feels like a real meal. Takes barely any time, which is a win when you’re trying to stay on track. It’s one of those you end up making more than once a week without even thinking about it.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Fried Rice

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken made dinner feel done without wearing me out or leaving a pile of dishes. It’s one of those you can make without second-guessing anything or needing a bunch of steps. Quick, reliable, and not boring, which checks all the right boxes. That’s pretty much all I needed to call it a win.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken