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
Scale
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