Chicken Chop Suey Recipe

Savory Chicken Chop Suey Recipe Ready in Minutes

Chicken chop suey has been a favorite comfort dish for generations, combining savory flavors and satisfying textures in one complete meal.

The beauty of the dish lies in how it adapts to busy weeknights while still feeling special enough for weekend dinners.

Crisp vegetables and tender protein come together in a sauce that coats everything perfectly.

When you need something that feeds a crowd without requiring hours in the kitchen, the recipe delivers exactly what everyone craves.

The balance of colors and textures makes every bite interesting, and the aroma alone fills the house with warmth.

Many home cooks love how forgiving and flexible the preparation can be while still producing consistent results.

Best of all, the meal comes together faster than ordering takeout, and tastes so much better when made fresh at home.

Pull out a large skillet and see just how simple restaurant-style flavor can be.

Why Chicken Chop Suey Is Always A Hit

Why Chicken Chop Suey Is Always A Hit
  • Quick Family Meal: This chicken chop suey comes together faster than ordering takeout, giving your family a fresh, nutritious dinner without complicated steps.
  • Veggie Power Boost: Packed with colorful vegetables, the recipe helps sneak extra nutrition onto your plate while creating a satisfying, balanced meal.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by cooking everything in a single skillet, which means less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying dinner together.
  • Budget-Friendly Option: Using affordable ingredients like chicken thighs, basic vegetables, and simple seasonings makes this a wallet-friendly recipe that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Essential Ingredients in Chicken Chop Suey

Main Protein:
  • Boneless Chicken Thighs (4, cut into small pieces): The star of the dish that brings hearty protein to your meal.
Cooking Oils:
  • Olive Oil (1 teaspoon, divided): Helps create a light, smooth base for sautéing your ingredients.
Vegetables:
  • Green Bell Pepper (1 large, cut into strips): Adds a fresh, crisp texture to your chop suey.
  • Onion (1 large, sliced): Provides a sweet and aromatic foundation for the dish.
  • Celery (1 cup, thinly sliced): Brings a gentle crunch and subtle flavor to the mix.
  • Carrots (½ cup, thinly sliced): Introduces a hint of sweetness and beautiful color.
  • Bok Choy (2 cups, thinly sliced): Delivers a delicate, green element to your meal.
  • Bean Sprouts (1½ cups): Contributes a delightful, crisp texture.
Liquid and Seasoning Components:
  • Boiling Water (¾ cup): Creates the base for your sauce.
  • Soy Sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds depth and umami flavor.
  • Chicken Bouillon Cube (1): Enhances the overall savory profile.
  • Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances and heightens the other flavors.
  • White Sugar (½ teaspoon): Provides a subtle, balanced sweetness.
Thickening Agent:
  • Cornstarch (1½ teaspoons): Mixed with water to create a glossy, smooth sauce.
  • Water (2 teaspoons): Used to dissolve cornstarch for sauce thickening.

What Kitchen Tools Do You Need for Chicken Chop Suey

  • Large Skillet (12-inch): Your go-to pan for cooking every single component of this delicious chop suey, perfect for stir-frying and creating amazing flavor layers.
  • Chef’s Knife: Sharp blade for chopping chicken thighs, onions, bell peppers, celery, and carrots with precision and ease.
  • Cutting Board: Sturdy surface where you’ll prep all your fresh ingredients safely and cleanly.
  • Small Bowl: Essential for mixing cornstarch and water to create that perfect sauce-thickening blend.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful tool for stirring ingredients and ensuring nothing sticks to your skillet during cooking.
  • Measuring Spoons: Accurate way to measure olive oil, salt, sugar, and other seasonings for balanced flavor.
  • Measuring Cup: Allows you to measure boiling water and other liquid ingredients precisely.

How to Prepare Chicken Chop Suey

How to Prepare Chicken Chop Suey
1

Chicken Preparation

Heat ½ teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (375°F). Drop in the 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs that have been cut into small pieces. Cook until they’re golden brown and completely cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Scoop the chicken out and set it aside on a clean plate.

2

Vegetable Sauté

In the same skillet, pour the remaining ½ teaspoon olive oil. Toss in your chopped vegetables:

  • 1 large onion (sliced)
  • 1 large green bell pepper (cut into strips)
  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery
  • ½ cup thinly sliced carrots

Stir these around until they start to soften but still have a nice crunch, about 3-4 minutes.

3

Creating the Base Sauce

Pour in ¾ cup boiling water. Sprinkle in these seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon white sugar

Stir everything until the bouillon cube completely dissolves.

4

Adding Greens

Slide in 2 cups of thinly sliced bok choy and 1 ½ cups bean sprouts. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes until they’re just barely wilted but still bright and fresh.

5

Combining and Thickening

Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and mix everything together. In a small bowl, whisk 2 teaspoons water with 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet to create a glossy sauce that will coat everything beautifully.

6

Final Cooking

Let the chop suey simmer for another 1-2 minutes at medium heat. Make sure every morsel gets that delicious sauce. Serve piping hot and enjoy your homemade dinner!

Practical Cooking Advice for Chicken Chop Suey

Practical Cooking Advice for Chicken Chop Suey
  • Pat the chicken thighs dry before cooking to help them brown perfectly and develop a delicious golden crust.
  • Chop all vegetables beforehand to make the stir-fry process smooth and prevent overcooking your ingredients.
  • Mix cornstarch with cold water to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, smooth sauce that coats every bite.
  • Keep your skillet at medium heat to cook chicken and vegetables evenly without burning or undercooking.
  • Serve this chop suey immediately over steamed rice to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors and perfect sauce consistency.

Flavorful Options for Chicken Chop Suey

  • Veggie Protein Power: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, cutting it into similar-sized pieces and following the same cooking method for a plant-based protein punch.
  • Seafood Splash: Replace chicken with shrimp or white fish chunks, adjusting cooking time to ensure seafood doesn’t overcook and stays tender.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and confirm your chicken bouillon cube is gluten-free, keeping all other ingredients and steps exactly the same.
  • Low-Carb Option: Skip bean sprouts and substitute with extra crispy cabbage or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the classic chop suey flavor profile.

How to Serve Chicken Chop Suey

  • Serve Family-Style: Grab a big, beautiful platter and spread the chicken chop suey across it, letting everyone dig in together. The communal style makes mealtime feel warm and inviting.
  • Rice Pairing Perfect: Scoop this delicious mixture over steamed white or brown rice. The grains soak up all those amazing saucy flavors and make the meal more filling.
  • Garnish with Crunch: Sprinkle some sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds on top. These little touches add a fresh, crisp texture that makes your dish pop.
  • Quick Weeknight Dinner: This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes, making it a total lifesaver when your schedule feels packed and everyone’s hungry.

Proper Storage For Chicken Chop Suey

  • Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the sauce separate from crisp veggies to maintain their texture.
  • Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water to help restore moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out.
  • Freeze individual portions in sealed freezer bags for quick future meals, making sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
  • For best results when reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm slowly in a covered skillet, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Chicken Chop Suey Common Questions

FAQ

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works perfectly. Just make sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces and cook until no pink remains in the center.

FAQ

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Traditional soy sauce contains wheat. Look for gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the dish safe for gluten-sensitive diets.

FAQ

What if I cannot find bok choy?

No problem. Substitute with another leafy green like napa cabbage or regular cabbage. The key is having a tender vegetable that cooks quickly.

FAQ

How spicy is this chicken chop suey?

This recipe is mild. If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha sauce when cooking the vegetables.

FAQ

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Chop suey tastes best fresh, but you can prep ingredients earlier and store separately. Combine and cook just before serving to keep vegetables crisp and sauce vibrant.

FAQ

What protein alternatives work well?

Besides chicken, try tofu, shrimp, or lean beef. Cut the protein into similar-sized pieces and adjust cooking time accordingly.

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Chicken Chop Suey Recipe

Chicken Chop Suey Recipe


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4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 3 to 4 1x

Description

Chicken chop suey delivers a quick, satisfying meal your family will devour in minutes. Crisp vegetables and tender chicken combine for a delicious Asian-inspired dinner that comes together faster than takeout.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 4 boneless chicken thighs

Vegetables:

  • 1 large green bell pepper
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 cup thinly sliced celery
  • ½ cup thinly sliced carrots
  • 2 cups thinly sliced bok choy
  • 1 ½ cups bean sprouts

Liquids and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ¾ cup boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 cube chicken bouillon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Heat ½ teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet at medium heat (375°F) for 2 minutes until the pan is evenly warm.
  2. Add 4 chicken thighs cut into small 1-inch pieces. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until each piece reaches 165°F internal temperature.
  3. Remove chicken and transfer to a clean plate, keeping it warm.
  4. Pour remaining ½ teaspoon olive oil into the same skillet. Add 1 sliced onion, 1 green bell pepper cut into strips, 1 cup sliced celery, and ½ cup sliced carrots.
  5. Stir-fry vegetables for 4-5 minutes until they become slightly tender but retain a crisp texture.
  6. Pour ¾ cup boiling water into the skillet. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 chicken bouillon cube, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon white sugar.
  7. Mix ingredients thoroughly, ensuring seasonings dissolve completely.
  8. Toss in 2 cups bok choy and 1 ½ cups bean sprouts. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are just wilted.
  9. Return cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Gently mix everything to distribute heat evenly.
  10. Whisk 2 teaspoons water with 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth.
  11. Pour cornstarch mixture into the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and create a glossy sauce.
  12. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats all ingredients evenly.

Notes

  • Always choose chicken thighs for more flavor and tenderness in your chop suey.
  • Prep all vegetables before starting to cook, as stir-frying moves quickly and requires constant attention.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce for tamari and use gluten-free cornstarch.
  • Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 to 4
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Mason Carter

Mason Carter

Founder

Expertise

Family Meal Routines, Simple One-pot Meals, Budget-friendly Cooking, Quick Dinner Planning, Batch Cooking Systems

Education

Hudson County Community College
  • Certificate: Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Training in core cooking techniques, kitchen operations, and real food preparation through hands-on experience in professional-style kitchens.
Penn Foster Career School (Online)
  • Program: Gourmet Cooking Certificate
  • Focus: Flexible online training covering cooking basics, meal preparation, and global recipes designed for real-life schedules.

Mason is the founder of Families With Purpose and the heart behind its simple, family-focused recipes. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, he creates meals that fit into busy routines and bring people back to the table. He focuses on easy dinners, one-pot meals, budget-friendly cooking, and practical weekly meal planning. Mason has built a recipe collection shaped by real family life, with clear methods and repeatable meals that work on everyday schedules.

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