Objective To evaluate biocompatibility of chondrocytes with composite hydrogel system of light-cured chitosan and sodium alginate, and to study its feasibility for cartilage tissue engineering. Methods Three-dimensional porous light-cured chitosan hydrogel was prepared as the carrier of chondrocytes in space. Chondrocytes were enclosed into light-cured chitosan hydrogel by means of sodium alginate hydrogel. The structure and morphology of light-cured chitosan scaffolds and cell distribution and morphology within scaffolds were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The method of CCK8 was used to draw the cell growth curve and cell activity was tested by DAPI staining. Results Pure light curing chitosan hydrogel material presented as a porous structure of uniform pores with the average pore size about 300 μm. Composite hydrogel could mimic natural cartilage extracellular matrix environment to maintain the chondrocytes as natural round state and could promote the proliferation of chondrocytes. Conclusion Composite hydrogel of light-cured chitosan and sodium alginate can provide a similar natural biological environment for chondrocytes, and promote their proliferation and growth, which may be a very promising cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds for in vivo experimental studies of cartilage defects.