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    Home / Recipes / Dinners

    Chinese American Chicken Chop Suey

    By Lisa MarcAurele · May 26, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosures.

    Jump to Recipe
    Chicken chop suey with text overlay.
    Chicken chop suey with text overlay.
    Chicken chop suey with text overlay.
    Chicken chop suey images with text.
    Chicken chop suey with text overlay.

    Experience the perfect blend of Chinese and American cuisine with a delicious chicken chop suey. This classic stir-fry dish combines meat and vegetables in a savory sauce.

    Chicken chop suey in serving bowl.

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    This Chinese American dish has been enjoyed for over a century. Its unique combination of bean sprouts, onions, and vegetables sets it apart from other Chinese dishes like black pepper chicken.

    One reason to love chop suey is that it's a healthy option with plenty of vegetables. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients, making it a great recipe for beginners or those on a budget.

    It can also be customized according to your preference. You can add more veggies or meat if you want, or even use different types of meats like pork or shrimp. Plus, the flavors are so versatile that you can pair them up with rice noodles or white steamed rice for an authentic taste.

    This recipe is perfect for those new to Chinese cooking. It's a quick and easy dish to make when craving Chinese takeout.

    Ingredients

    Chicken chop suey is a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that can be made with various ingredients that you have on hand.

    Ingredients for the chicken chop suey recipe.

    For this recipe, you'll need the following items.

    • chicken breast
    • cornstarch
    • salt and pepper
    • lemon juice
    • cooking oil
    • soy sauce
    • oyster sauce
    • sesame oil
    • onion
    • garlic
    • carrot
    • cabbage
    • bean sprouts
    • green onions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for the amounts used.

    Instructions

    To make chop suey, start by gathering and preparing the ingredients. Cut the chicken into cubes or slices, then chop or slice the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

    Chicken pieces with cornstarch mixture.

    Marinate the chicken with cornstarch, salt, lemon juice, and oil in a medium bowl.

    Sauce ingredients in bowl.

    Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and water to another medium bowl.

    Prepared stir fry sauce.

    Combine the sauce ingredients.

    Browned chicken pieces in skillet.

    Cook chicken in a tablespoon of oil in the hot skillet until gently browned but not overcooked.

    Cooked onions and garlic.

    Add more oil to the skillet, then sauté the onions and garlic.

    Carrots and cabbage added to skillet.

    Add the carrots and cabbage leaves to the skillet.

    Bean sprouts mixed into vegetable in skillet.

    Mix the vegetables in and stir fry for another minute or two.

    Chicken and bean sprouts added to skillet.

    Add the chicken to the skillet along with the bean sprouts. Cook for 30 seconds.

    Sauce added to the chop suey.

    Stir the sauce with a spoon to mix the cornstarch well and pour over the chicken and vegetables. Mix well until it thickens.

    Sliced green onions sprinkled onto the finished dish in skillet.

    Sprinkle on the sliced green onions to the finished dish.

    That's all there is to making this Chinese restaurant favorite at home.

    Variations

    You can change up the chicken chop suey recipe based on the items you have on hand. Feel free to make substitutions based on what you have in your refrigerator. If you need some ideas, here are a few ways to modify the recipe.

    • Make it vegan by replacing the chicken with tofu or paneer. The dish will retain a similar taste but with a different protein source.
    • Try using chicken thighs in place of breast for a richer flavor.
    • Replace the chicken with seafood like shrimp or squid to impart an oceanic flavor.
    • Add crunchy vegetables like broccoli, water chestnuts, celery, baby corn, snow peas, or bell peppers. These veggies not only bring color and texture but also increase the nutritional quotient of the dish.
    • Mix in nuts like almonds or cashews to lend a unique nutty flavor and crunch.
    • Experiment with different sauces to change the taste profile. Try teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory flavor, hoisin sauce for tanginess, or soy sauce for an umami taste.
    • Spice it up by adding chili flakes or Sriracha to give it an extra kick of heat.

    Tips

    Here are a few extra tips and tricks that can elevate your dish:

    • Use fresh vegetables. While frozen vegetables may seem easy, fresh vegetables add more flavor and texture.
    • Marinate the chicken. To ensure that your chicken is juicy and flavorful, marinate it for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
    • Don't overcook the vegetables. Overcooked vegetables can become mushy and lose their nutrients. Cook them until they are just tender but still retain their crunchiness.
    • Use cornstarch slurry. Use a cornstarch slurry instead of flour or other thickeners to thicken the sauce without making it too heavy or starchy.
    Overhead view of chicken chop suey in serving bowl.

    Serving suggestions

    For a classic presentation, serve chicken chop suey with steamed rice or noodles as a base. This will not only complement the flavors of the chop suey but also add some texture and bulk to the meal.

    If you want to pair it with other dishes, consider serving it alongside some egg rolls or dumplings as appetizers. For a well-rounded meal, you could also add a side of stir-fried vegetables such as bok choy, broccoli, or snow peas.

    Consider serving crispy noodles or baked tortilla strips on the side for an added crunch. These crunchy textures add a nice contrast to the soft vegetables and tender chicken in the dish.

    You can also pair the dish with a bowl of soup. A hot and sour or egg drop soup will complement the flavors in chop suey well.

    Storage

    Chicken chop suey can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before storing, let the dish cool down to room temperature and then transfer it to a container. Make sure the container is large enough that all the sauce is covered, as this will help keep it from drying out.

    When you are ready to reheat, put it in a microwave safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through.

    FAQ

    What is chicken chop suey made of?

    The main ingredients are usually chicken, celery, onion, and bean sprouts. These are stir-fried in a wok or skillet with oil and seasonings such as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce.

    What's the difference between chicken chow mein and chicken chop suey?

    Chicken chow mein and chicken chop suey are two Chinese-American dishes that are commonly confused. The main difference between the two is that the chow mein is made with noodles, whereas chop suey is made with bean sprouts.

    What is a chop suey sauce made of?

    It typically includes soy sauce, cornstarch, sesame oil, garlic, and white pepper. The exact ingredients may vary from recipe to recipe, but these are the most common components.

    Fork bite of chicken chop suey up close.

    Related Recipes

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    • Chicken bacon ranch is a delicious pasta casserole dish.
    • Creamy curry chicken is another Asian-inspired recipe.
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    Recipe

    Overhead view of chicken chop suey in bowl.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

    Chicken Chop Suey

    4.95 from 34 votes
    Enjoy a delicious chicken chop suey made with fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces. This classic Chinese American recipe is sure to delight.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Chinese
    Servings (Adjustable): 2
    Calories: 268kcal
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    Ingredients

    For The Chicken

    • 6 oz chicken breast cubed or sliced
    • ½ tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil plus extra for cooking

    For The Sauce

    • 1 ½ tablespoons light soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
    • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 pinch salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 4 tablespoons water

    For The Vegetables

    • ½ onion sliced
    • 2 garlic cloves sliced
    • 1 small carrot thinly sliced
    • 1 cup cabbage leaves chopped
    • 1 handful bean sprouts
    • 2 tablespoons green onions sliced

    Instructions

    • To a medium bowl, add the chicken along with cornstarch, salt, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of oil to marinade.
    • Prepare the sauce by mixing the ingredients in a medium bowl (soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, black pepper and water).
    • Heat up a wok or skillet over medium heat, drizzle some oil and add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes until gently browned but not overcooked. Reserve.
    • Pour a drizzle of oil to the skillet, add the onions and garlic, cook for 1 minute, followed by the carrots and cabbage leaves, saute for an extra minute.
    • Transfer the chicken to the skillet along with bean sprouts. Cook for 30 seconds.
    • Stir the sauce with a spoon to mix the cornstarch well and pour over the chicken and vegetables. Mix well until it thickens and remove from the heat.
    • Sprinkle sliced green onions. Serve with sesame seeds and rice.

    Notes

    Use fresh vegetables. While frozen vegetables may seem easy, fresh vegetables add more flavor and texture.
    Marinate the chicken. To ensure that your chicken is juicy and flavorful, marinate it for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
    Don't overcook the vegetables. Overcooked vegetables can become mushy and lose their nutrients. Cook them until they are just tender but still retain their crunchiness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1422mg | Potassium: 866mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5567IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 2mg

    Equipment

    Skillet

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    About Lisa MarcAurele

    Lisa MarcAurele is a blogger and cookbook author. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is also a co-founder of Daily Life Travels, where you can discover new places to visit and things to do. You can sign up for her recipe emails to see all her latest content.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.95 from 34 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sharina

      May 26, 2023 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      This chicken chop suey reminds me of my grandma! It was one of her favorite dishes to prepare for the whole fam. Incredibly delicious and flavorful!

      Reply
    2. Giangi Townsend

      May 26, 2023 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      I love this recipe when I am eating out and it is wonderful that I can make it home. I cannot wait to make it this weekend. Thank you

      Reply
    3. Claire

      May 26, 2023 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      DELICIOUS!!
      I loved how many veggies this had in it. It felt like a really healthy choice. We served it with some scallion rice and it was just perfect.
      I am going to make it again and try adding some shrimp as well as chicken 😀
      Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
    4. Lindsey

      May 26, 2023 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Saw your post and had to make it for lunch! Delicious! Thankfully i had everything I needed on hand. I just might make it again tomorrow

      Reply
    5. Vladka

      May 26, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      I marinated the chicken first, and it was very tasty and juicy. It disappeared very quickly though.

      Reply

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