Quick & Easy Mongolian Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
3
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Calories
224 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Asian
Quick & Easy Mongolian Chicken
Description
This recipe begins by coating bite-sized chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch to create a crisp exterior when fried. The chicken is cooked in vegetable oil until golden and drained to remove excess oil. A sauce of hoisin, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and optional sliced red chili is prepared in the pan.
The sauce is thickened with a cornstarch slurry made from cornstarch and water, which is added near the end to give a shiny glaze that clings to the chicken. The ginger and garlic provide aromatic depth, while the brown sugar balances the savory ingredients with sweetness. Optional garnishes include finely chopped green onion and additional sliced red chili for color and heat.
This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the flavorful sauce. It can be adapted to use an air fryer for cooking the chicken as an alternative to frying, which reduces oil usage.
Proper spacing of chicken pieces in the pan or air fryer ensures an even crispiness. The recipe provides flexibility with starch substitute options and garnishes to suit taste.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh skinless, boneless
- ¼ cup cornstarch or as needed (or sub with potato starch)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red chili pepper sliced (optional)
- 5 lices ginger
- 4 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce regular
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil
Cornstarch Slurry:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or sub with potato starch)
- ½ cup water
Optional Garnishes:
- 1 green onion finely chopped
- 1 red chili pepper sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and ½ cup water until well combined. This is your cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
- Dice chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces, about 4-6 pieces per thigh. Avoid patting the chicken dry as moisture is needed for the next step.
- In a large mixing bowl, add diced chicken thighs, followed by ¼ cup cornstarch. Give it a few tosses with tongs until each piece is coated in cornstarch. Set aside. If the starch is falling off, feel free to add more cornstarch.
- Then in a large pan or wok on medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Fry chicken in small batches until golden brown on both sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and transfer to a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil. (To Air Fry the chicken, please see Notes below for instructions).
- On medium heat, add ginger, garlic, and red chili. Fry for 10 seconds.
- Next add hoisin sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil and mix well before adding cornstarch slurry. (You may need to give the cornstarch water another stir before adding to the hot pan). Mix sauce ingredients until combined. Simmer to thicken.
- Toss in fried chicken and mix everything together. Remove off heat. Transfer to serving dish. Optional: Garnish with red chili and green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- To air fry, lightly spray the basket with oil and arrange coated chicken in a single layer without overlapping; air fry at 400°F for 10-14 minutes until crispy.
- If cornstarch coating falls off, add more cornstarch to sufficiently cover the chicken pieces.
- Use any neutral oil for frying; vegetable oil is recommended for flavor neutrality.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 224 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 224kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 36mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 1060mg | 44% |
| Potassium | 295mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
| Vitamin A | 376IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 45mg | 50% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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