Crispy Mongolian Chicken Recipe With Sweet Garlic Sauce
Mongolian chicken bursts with bold, mouthwatering flavors that promise an exciting dinner experience.
Serious home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together for a satisfying meal.
Rich sauces and tender meat create a delightful combination that feels like restaurant-quality comfort food.
Families frequently request this crowd-pleasing dish for its impressive presentation and delectable taste profile.
Weeknight dinners demand simple yet spectacular solutions, and Mongolian chicken delivers precisely what busy households crave.
Savory notes and perfectly balanced seasonings make this recipe a standout choice for anyone seeking something beyond ordinary chicken preparations.
Jump into this delicious adventure and prepare to wow your dinner companions with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
What Makes Mongolian Chicken So Satisfying
Which Are The Ingredients For Mongolian Chicken
Chicken:Sauce Ingredients:Garnish:Required Kitchen Tools for Mongolian Chicken
Steps for Making Mongolian Chicken
Prepare Chicken Coating
Slice 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin strips. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cornstarch over the chicken and toss until every piece gets a light, even coating. Let the chicken sit for 10 minutes while the cornstarch helps create a crispy exterior.
Heat the Cooking Surface
Grab a large skillet and pour in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Warm the pan over medium-high heat until the oil starts to shimmer and looks ready for cooking.
Crisp the Chicken
Drop chicken strips into the hot oil in small batches. This prevents overcrowding and ensures each piece gets golden and crisp. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, watching for a beautiful light brown color. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate.
Build the Sauce Base
In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Quickly toss in:
Stir these around for about 1 minute until they become fragrant.
Create Sauce Mixture
Pour into the skillet:
Let everything simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
Combine Chicken and Sauce
Return the crispy chicken strips to the skillet. Gently toss until each piece gets completely coated with sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Final Touches
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes over the dish for a little kick. Garnish with:
Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
Helpful Cooking Notes For Mongolian Chicken
Which Creative Spins Elevate Mongolian Chicken
Best Ways To Plate Mongolian Chicken
Best Storage Practices For Mongolian Chicken
Mongolian Chicken Common FAQs
What makes the cornstarch coating so important?
Cornstarch creates a crispy exterior and helps seal in chicken’s moisture, ensuring each bite stays tender and develops a beautiful golden color when frying.
Can beef or tofu replace chicken in this recipe?
Absolutely! Both work perfectly, though cooking times might slightly vary depending on protein thickness and type.
How spicy does this dish become with red pepper flakes?
Red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth without overwhelming heat. Start with a small pinch and adjust according to your personal spice preference.
What if fresh ginger isn’t available?
Dried ground ginger works as a substitute, though fresh provides a more vibrant, bright flavor. Use about half the amount of ground ginger compared to fresh.
Should the chicken be cut into specific sizes?
Slice chicken into uniform, thin pieces around 1/4-inch thick to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
Mongolian Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 21-25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Mongolian Chicken delivers a spicy-sweet punch that will have your taste buds dancing with excitement. Crispy chicken pieces tossed in a tangy sauce make this easy weeknight dinner a total crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- ¼ cup water
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Slice 1 lb chicken breasts into thin strips and coat thoroughly with 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes to help cornstarch adhere.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat (375°F). Fry chicken strips in single-layer batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate. Keep warm while preparing sauce.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon sesame oil, then sauté 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon grated ginger for exactly 1 minute.
- Pour ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup water, and ⅓ cup packed brown sugar into the skillet. Stir in 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce.
- Simmer sauce at medium heat for 3-5 minutes until it slightly thickens and reduces.
- Return chicken to skillet and toss to coat completely with sauce. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes over the dish for optional heat.
- Garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds before serving hot.
Notes
- Let the chicken rest in cornstarch for exactly 10 minutes to help create a crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Use a hot skillet and cook chicken in small batches to prevent steaming and ensure each piece gets perfectly golden and crisp.
- Adjust the sauce’s sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar, depending on your preference for balance between savory and sweet.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure your hoisin sauce is gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11-15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg


Mary Sue
Founder & Creative Recipe Developer
Expertise
Comfort Food Twists, Seasonal Cooking, Creative Flavor Pairings, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Flexible Pantry Cooking
Education
Mary Sue is the playful, creative recipe mind behind Mary Sue & Susan, known for big flavor ideas, warm storytelling, and dishes that feel both comforting and a little unexpected. She has a talent for taking familiar meals and giving them just enough personality to make them memorable.