Easy 20-minute chicken and cabbage skillet with ground chicken, coleslaw mix, carrots, and the most delicious peanut sauce.

It’s such a good weeknight meal to serve with 4-Ingredient Roasted Garlic Green Beans.

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Easy Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry is a One Pan Dream!

One bite of this Thai chicken and cabbage recipe, and you’ll never go back to Thai takeout again! An oldie but a goodie, this recipe has been on the site for years and remains one of the most popular recipes with a five-star rating and countless raving reviews. 

They’re well deserved, too. Not only is this dish crisp and satisfying but it’s also packed with sweet and savory flavor. Plus, it’s easy to customize by adding more spice, swapping the protein, or using up any veggies you have on hand. 

Not to mention all the ingredients combine in one pan, meaning prep time is minimal and cleanup is quick. And from start to finish, you can have the dish on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and makes for excellent meal prep! 

Serve it on its own topped with cilantro and hot chili sauce. Or, pair it with a refreshing cucumber salad for a balanced meal. No matter what, it always leaves your guests asking for more.

Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry Ingredients

  • Ground chicken
  • coleslaw cabbage mix
  • carrots
  • green onions
  • cilantro

For the peanut sauce:

  • peanut butter
  • soy sauce
  • garlic
  • honey
  • ginger
  • rice vinegar
  • sesame oil
  • neutral oil for cooking
ingredients for chicken and cabbage with carrots

How to Make this Chicken and Cabbage Recipe

Step 1: Make the Sauce – whisk together all the sauce ingredients and set aside.

peanut sauce in a bowl

Tip: Save time on prep and make the peanut sauce up to 3 days in advance. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. 

Step 2: Cook the Chicken – in a large non-stick skillet, heat some of the oil, about 1 tablespoon, and add the ground chicken. Cook until no longer pink while breaking up with a spoon. Remove to a bowl. Drain juices from the pan and wipe clean.

ground chicken in skillet

Step 3: Cook the Coleslaw – add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and when hot, add the coleslaw mix and carrots. Cook until the cabbage is tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes or so, while stirring constantly. 

cabbage and carrots in skillet

Step 4: Combine – add the chicken and sauce to the skillet. Season to taste, with salt and pepper. Cook until everything is heated through. Stir in green onions and cilantro.

Serve topped with more cilantro, hot chili sauce, and fresh lime juice.

chicken and cabbage in skillet

Leftovers: Leftover chicken with cabbage will keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. 

Chicken and Cabbage Recipe Additions

  • Bell peppers
  • Edamame
  • Kale
  • Red cabbage
  • Peanuts or cashewsas a topping 

Also, you can swap out a bag of coleslaw mix for a small head of cabbage and a carrot. 

Tips for Making this Chicken Cabbage Recipe

  • Stir the cabbage and carrots constantly to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the skillet or burning. 
  • Season generously, making sure to add enough salt to bring out the flavors of the dish. 
  • If using a whole cabbage instead of a coleslaw mix, slice it in half through its core. Then, place the cut-side down on a cutting board, and slice the pieces as thinly as possible around the core. 
  • Reduce the heat if needed to prevent the skillet from becoming too hot and burning the cabbage. 
  • Cook the cabbage in batches if needed, allowing enough room to spread it out in an even layer in the skillet.

How to Serve Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry

To serve the chicken and cabbage, we love cilantro, hot chili sauce, and lime juice as a topping. But you can also add a light drizzle of reserved peanut sauce and more green onions.

What to Serve with Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry

This chicken and cabbage skillet pairs well with roasted vegetables or a fresh side salad. Here are a few options:

chicken and cabbage stir fry

How to Store Chicken and Cabbage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe as it will become mushy and wilted once thawed! 

Reheat your chicken and cabbage in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Or, warm it in a skillet over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently.

Video: How to Make Thai Chicken and Cabbage Skillet

If you try our Thai Chicken and Cabbage Recipe, please leave us a star rating and a comment letting us know how you liked the recipe.

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overhead easy chicken and cabbage

Cabbage Chicken (Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry Recipe)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 35 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Stir-fry
  • Cuisine: Thai

Description

Easy 20-minute chicken and cabbage skillet with ground chicken, coleslaw mix, carrots, and the most delicious peanut sauce.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 Tbsp. neutral oil, such as avocado oil, divided
  • 1 lb. ground chicken
  • 16 oz. coleslaw cabbage mix
  • 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 23 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
  • Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
  • Hot chili sauce, for serving

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (use tamari for gluten free)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger
  • 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp. sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. In a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add ground chicken and cook until no longer pink, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Drain juices from pan and wipe clean.
  3. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. When hot, add coleslaw mix and carrots and cook until tender-crisp, stirring constantly, about 3-4 minutes. If veggies begin to burn, reduce the heat. The goal here is to get the cabbage tender-crisp.
  4. Add chicken and sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for few minutes until heated through.
  5. Stir in green onions and cilantro. Serve topped with more cilantro and hot chili sauce. I also like to add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 309
  • Sugar: 12.1 g
  • Sodium: 415.1 mg
  • Fat: 19.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.1 g
  • Protein: 17.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 64.2 mg