Description
This stir-fried Shanghai rice cakes (Chao Nian Gao) recipe features chewy rice cakes tossed with savory sauce, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables in a quick and satisfying one-pan meal.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 lb (450 g) oval rice cakes (rinsed or soaked if dried)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup napa cabbage, sliced
- 6 baby bok choy, separated
- 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Marinate the sliced chicken with light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, water, and cornstarch. Let rest 15 minutes.
- Prepare rice cakes: rinse if fresh/frozen; soak dried ones in warm water for 3 hours.
- Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in wok over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 1–2 minutes per side until cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining oil to wok. Sauté garlic, mushrooms, napa cabbage, bok choy, and green onions for 1 minute.
- Add rice cakes and chicken broth. Cover and steam for 4 minutes until rice cakes soften.
- Pour in sauce and return chicken to wok. Toss everything together 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats ingredients.
- Serve hot and glossy.
Notes
- Use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for variation.
- Add bell peppers, carrots, or baby corn for extra crunch.
- Spice it up with chili flakes or chili oil.
- Scrambled eggs add texture and protein.
- Reheat gently with a splash of water to keep rice cakes chewy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
