11 Easy Chinese Recipes For Kids To Try

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Chinese cuisine is a favorite among many children. But it is not always a healthy option to get takeouts for your children. Thus, we bring you a few Chinese recipes for kids that you can try with your children at home to have a fun time cooking together.

If your child demands something Chinese every time they sit to eat, it can become burdensome to come up with new and interesting recipes every single time. But fret not, for we’ve got you covered. You can try out several Chinese recipes after prioritizing your family’s health and well-being.

Read on for a list of healthy and interesting Chinese recipes you could try making for your children to keep them happy and healthy.

11 Easy Chinese Recipes For Kids

Child specialist Dr. Mubina Agboatwala says, “Kids can enjoy Chinese food, as long as it includes sufficient proteins from sources such as chicken, eggs, peanuts, or seafood, along with an abundance of vegetables. Additionally, you may opt for whole grain noodles for added nutritional value and ensure minimal use of sweet sauces while avoiding MSG (monosodium glutamate) for a healthier alternative to regular meals.”

1. Chicken Fried Rice:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 2 tbsp of oil
• 300 grams of cubed chicken filet
• 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 2 cups of rice, cooked
• 4 tbsp of chicken stock powder
• 1 red pepper
• 2 tbsp of soy sauce
• Salt
• 2 spring onions (sliced diagonally)

How To:

1. In a frying pan, heat the oil and add onion and garlic to it. Sauté for 2 minutes.
2. Then add chicken and cook until tender.
3. Then add rice, chicken stock powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
5. Then add the soy sauce and spring onion. Sprinkle a little water. Cover and cook for one minute before serving.

2. Chinese Chicken Salad:

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You Will Need:

• 2 bunches of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 3 cups of shredded chicken
• 2 cans of mandarin oranges
• 2 cups of Asian wonton strips

For Dressing:

• 1/4 cup of peanut butter
• 1/4 cup of Hoisin sauce
• 3 tbsp of canola oil
• 3 tbsp of vinegar
• 1 tbsp of chili garlic sauce
• 1 tbsp of garlic powder
• 1 tbsp of honey
• Kosher salt and black pepper powder to taste

How To:

1. In a salad bowl, toss lettuce, chicken, mandarin oranges, and wonton strips.
2. In a separate bowl, add all the remaining ingredients to prepare the dressing.
3. Add the dressing to the salad and toss well.

Point to consider

Hoisin sauce is quite salty so use it in small amounts. About 19.5g of Hoisin sauce contains 420mg sodium (1).

3. Chicken Stir Fry

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 1 pound of boneless chicken breasts (diced)
• 1/3 cup of cornstarch
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1/2 cup of orange marmalade
• 1 tbsp of minced garlic
• 1 tbsp of minced ginger
• 1/4 tbsp of red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and black pepper powder to taste
• 2 tbsp of canola oil

How To:

1. Add cornstarch to chicken cubes. Toss to coat well.
2. In a small bowl, whisk ginger, garlic, soy sauce, marmalade, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat the wok and add canola oil.
4. Fry the chicken on medium heat until golden brown.
5. Add the sauce and stir-fry to coat the chicken.

4. Asian Noodle Salad:

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You Will Need:

• ½ Chinese cabbage, shredded
• 6 shallots, sliced
• 1 cup of toasted almond slivers
• 1 packet fried noodles (cooked)

For The Dressing:

• 1/4 cup of white vinegar
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce
• 2 tbsp of sesame oil
• 1/2 cup of olive oil

How To:

1. In a saucepan, combine all the dressing ingredients and heat until the sugar dissolves. Keep it aside to cool.
2. In a mixing bowl, add almond, shallots, and cabbage.
3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mix. Toss well.
4. Add the fried noodles just before serving.

5. Chicken Chow Mein:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

For The Sauce:

• 2 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 tbsp of tomato ketchup
• 2 tbsp of oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp of soy sauce

For The Noodles:

• 1 large red pepper
• 5 spring onions
• 200 grams of bean sprouts
• 1 large chicken breast (diced)
• 3 nests of egg noodles
• 1 tbsp of sunflower oil
• Salt

How To:

1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and stir well.
2. Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and leave it aside.
3. Heat oil in a wok and then add the chicken pieces. Cook until the chicken turns tender. Then add salt and pepper and cook for another minute.
4. Pour the sauce into the wok and stir well.
5. Then add the noodles, spring onion, and bean sprouts. Toss the noodles well.
6. Cook for five minutes. Serve hot.

Quick tip

You may add a teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds just before serving to accentuate the noddle’s taste and nutritional value.

6. Kung Pao Chicken:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp of sesame oil
• 1 tbsp of red chili sauce
• 3 boneless, chicken breasts (diced)
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1 tbsp of rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp of honey
• A dash of hot sauce
• 1/2 cup of scallions, sliced
• 1/2 cup of roasted peanuts
• Salt

How To:

1. Whisk together sesame oil, red chili sauce, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
2. Add the chicken to the sesame oil mix and toss to coat well. Leave it to marinate for 30 minutes.
3. In another bowl, dissolve cornstarch in soy sauce. Then add honey and rice vinegar. Season with hot sauce.
4. In a wok, heat sesame oil and add the chicken pieces. Fry until the chicken turns golden brown.
5. Then stir in the soy sauce mixture and cook for another mixture.
6. Add the scallions, salt and peanuts. Let it simmer for five minutes and serve with warm rice.

7. Ginger And Garlic Prawns:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 4 tbsp of peanut oil
• 500 grams prawns (peeled)
• 4 tbsp of chopped garlic
• 2 tbsp of finely grated ginger
• 2 tbsp of light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp of corn flour
• 1 cup of chicken stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To:

1. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the prawns. Keep it aside.
2. Add the remaining oil and stir-fry ginger and garlic for a minute.
3. Mix corn flour with the chicken stock and soy sauce. Pour it into the pan and season with salt and pepper.
4. Cook until the mix thickens.
5. Add the prawns and cook for a few minutes before serving.

8. Dim Sums:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 200 grams of prawns, peeled and chopped
• 300 grams of minced pork
• 1/2 cup of water chestnuts, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup of bamboo shoots, finely chopped
• 2 dried mushrooms
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp of corn flour
• 1/2 tbsp of vinegar
• 1 tbsp of oyster sauce
• 1/2 tbsp of salt
• 1/2 tbsp of sesame oil
• 1 tbsp of sugar
• 1/2 tbsp of white pepper powder
• 1 carrot, finely grated
• 1 packet of wonton skins

How To:

1. In a bowl, combine pork, prawns, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts. Then add the rest of the ingredients, except the wonton skins and carrots. Mix well.
2. Place a spoonful of the mixture in the middle of the wonton skins and draw up the edges toward the top.
3. Top with grated carrot and steam cook for 12 minutes.

Did you know?

Dim sums are linked with the historic Chinese tradition of yum cha, which means “tea tasting” (2).

9. Ginger And Soy Chicken:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 4 tbsp of dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp of whole grain mustard
• 2 tbsp of grated ginger
• 2 tbsp of oil
• 1 large chicken breast (diced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and leave it to marinate overnight.
2. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes at 450 degrees F.

10. Sweet And Sour Chicken:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need:

• 400 grams of pineapple rings in juice
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
• 1 red pepper sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 2 cm of fresh ginger root (grated)
• 2 tbsp of dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp of tomato purée
• 50ml of vinegar
• 1 tbsp of dark soy sauce
• 200ml of chicken stock
• 1 tbsp of plain flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 500 grams of chicken breast (diced)
• Spring onions to garnish
• 4 tbsp of oil

How To:

1. Chop two slices of pineapple and keep the juice aside.
2. Sauté the sliced vegetables, grated ginger, and crushed garlic in a pressure cooker.
3. Add the pineapple juice, tomato puree, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and chicken stock and stir well.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the chicken pieces after tossing them in the flour.
6. Then put the lid on and cook until the chicken and vegetables are tender.
7. Add the pineapple chunks and stir. Garnish with spring onions and serve hot.

11. Egg Rolls:

Image: Shutterstock

You Will Need :

• 12 egg roll wraps
• 1⁄2 to 1lb ground pork, chicken, or beef
• 2 tsp fresh ginger (chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 egg (beaten with 1 teaspoon water)
• 1 bag shredded cabbage and carrot coleslaw mix (16 ounces)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 4 green onions (sliced)
• oil (for frying)
• Sweet and sour sauce (for serving)

How To:

1. Cook ground meat with chopped ginger and minced garlic in a pan.
2. Add salt, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil to the meat and mix well.
3. In a large bowl, combine cabbage and carrot coleslaw mix and green onions.
4. Add the meat over vegetables and stir well.
5. Lay wrap such that it resembles a diamond shape.
6. Place 3 tbsp meat filling in the middle of the egg roll wrapper.
7. Fold the corner on the bottom upwards, over the filling, and roll once.
8. Fold in the right and left points.
9. Brush the top point with a beaten egg and finish rolling.
10. Make all the rolls in the same way.
11. Heat two to three inches of oil in a frying pan on high heat (oil temperature to reach 350ºF).
12. Fry egg rolls for two to three minutes per side (fry a few rolls at a time).
13. Place on paper towels to drain oil.
14. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

Infographic: Easy-To-Make Vegetarian Chinese Snacks

While meat, seafood, and meat-based sauces dominate most Chinese dishes, the love for your child’s favorite cuisine need not be limited to non-vegetarian. Chinese cuisine is expansive and includes several plant-based options. Here is an infographic with some easy-to-make vegetarian and vegan options lined out just for you.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Master the art of recreating your favorite Chinese childhood recipes by following the step-by-step instructions.

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Dina TotosegisRD

Dina Totosegis is a registered dietitian specializing in pediatrics. She has graduated from McGill University with Bachelors in Physiology as well as Dietetics and Human Nutrition. She started working in wellness clinics and fitness clubs in Montreal, Canada, and Austin, US, helping individuals establish a healthy way of life through nutritious food, an active lifestyle, and a positive mindset.  Since...more

• Dr. Mubina AgboatwallaMBBS, DCH, MCPS

  Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla is the head of the department of pediatrics in Karachi Liaquat Hospital, Pakistan. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of pediatrics and 50 research papers published in international journals including Lancet and JAMA. Dr. Agboatwalla is also a public health specialist specializing in preventive health including nutrition, breastfeeding and infectious diseases especially diarrhea, polio and tuberculosis. She has affiliations with the Center of Disease Control Atlanta (CDC), UNICEF, and WHO.
  
  Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla is the head of the department of pediatrics in Karachi Liaquat Hospital, Pakistan. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of pediatrics and 50 research papers published in international journals including Lancet and JAMA. Dr. Agboatwalla is also a public health specialist specializing in preventive health including nutrition, breastfeeding and infectious diseases especially diarrhea, polio and tuberculosis. She has affiliations with the Center of Disease Control Atlanta (CDC), UNICEF, and WHO.

Ria SahaB.Tech

Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant. She moved into freelance content writing in 2013 and worked for various websites including MomJunction, Brainpulse Technologies, and Emarketz India.more

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Nida ShaikhBSc, PG Dip.

Nida holds a bachelor's degree in Zoology and a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Genetics and Medical Laboratory Techniques from Goa University. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a laboratory technician. She began content writing during her college years and has been featured as a co-author in a children's short story compilation book. She has written across different niches, including Health...more