Introduction

This easy chicken and cabbage stir fry is a quick, healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces sautéed with soft, flavorful cabbage make a satisfying dish that’s both simple and delicious.

A black pan filled with a cooked mix of sliced cabbage and chicken pieces. The cabbage is soft and lightly browned, showing pale yellow and light brown tones with some parts slightly crispy. The chicken chunks are small, cooked to a golden color with a tender texture. The dish has tiny green herb bits sprinkled on top, adding a fresh note. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface, with the food spread evenly inside the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green cabbage, cored and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 2: Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
Step 3: Add the butter and chopped onion to the same pan. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onions begin to soften.
Step 4: Add the chopped cabbage to the pan. Cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring often, until the cabbage is tender and slightly browned at the edges.
Step 5: Stir in the minced garlic and paprika, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Step 6: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to combine. Heat through for a few minutes, stirring often.
Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for best flavor.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Try swapping green cabbage with napa or savoy cabbage for a milder taste and different texture.
Add sliced bell peppers or carrots for additional color and crunch.
Use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water to keep the cabbage moist.

How to Serve

A close-up of a beige bowl filled with cooked cabbage and small pieces of chicken. The dish has two main layers: the base layer consists of light yellow to golden-brown cooked cabbage strips, soft and slightly translucent, scattered evenly throughout. The second layer is pieces of white to light golden chicken, lightly browned on the edges, mixed in with the cabbage. The whole dish is sprinkled with tiny green herb bits and visible black pepper specks. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Yes, it reheats well and makes a nutritious meal prep option. Keep it refrigerated and consume within 3 days.

Easy Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 113 reviews

A quick and easy chicken and cabbage stir fry recipe featuring tender chicken breast sautéed with soft, flavorful cabbage and onions, seasoned with garlic and paprika. This healthy and satisfying dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner and cooks entirely on the stovetop.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

Vegetables

1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green cabbage, cored and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Fats & Oils

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter

Spices & Seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, then the chicken pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
Remove the chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and keep warm.
Sauté onions: Add the butter to the same skillet, then the chopped onions. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions begin to soften.
Cook the cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the pan with the onions. Cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring fairly often, until the cabbage is soft and tender. The cabbage at the bottom will wilt and the onions will brown slightly, enhancing the flavor.
Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic and paprika into the cabbage and onions, cooking for about a minute to release their aromas.
Recombine chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet and cook together until the chicken is heated through, stirring often for even mixing.
Season and serve: Taste the dish and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Use fresh garlic and paprika for the best flavor.
Adjust the cooking time of the cabbage depending on how tender you prefer it.
Serve this dish on its own or with a side of steamed rice or noodles for a heartier meal.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated within 2 days.
You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs if you prefer dark meat, but adjust cooking time accordingly.

Keywords: chicken stir fry, cabbage stir fry, healthy dinner, quick chicken recipe, easy weeknight meal