Mongolian Chicken at Home – Sweet, Savory & Spicy Perfection

Have you ever tasted Mongolian Chicken and thought, “Wow, I need to make this at home!”? I totally get it. That sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor combination is irresistible. Forget takeout – I’m going to walk you through creating the perfect Mongolian Chicken dish right in your own kitchen. It’s super easy to make, and the flavor is out of this world! Trust me, you’ll be ditching the delivery apps after you try this.

Key Takeaways

• Easy to Make: This Mongolian Chicken recipe is surprisingly simple and doesn’t require any fancy cooking skills.
• Flavor Explosion: Get ready for a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness, spiciness, and sauce thickness to suit your preferences.
• Perfect Weeknight Meal: This dish cooks up quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

What Exactly Is Mongolian Chicken? 🤔

While the name might suggest otherwise, Mongolian Chicken isn’t actually a traditional dish from Mongolia. It’s more of an American-Chinese creation, often found on the menus of Chinese-American restaurants. The dish typically consists of tender pieces of chicken coated in a rich, dark brown sauce, often served with steamed rice and garnished with green onions.

The key to Mongolian Chicken is the sauce. It’s a beautiful balance of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and often a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Some recipes also include hoisin sauce for added depth of flavor. The real magic is in the sauce—it’s just so good!

“Mongolian Chicken is a perfect example of how different cultures can influence each other in the kitchen, creating something new and delicious!”

My Foolproof Mongolian Chicken Recipe

Alright, let’s get cooking! Here’s my go-to recipe for Mongolian Chicken. I’ve tweaked it over time to get the perfect balance of flavors, and I’m confident you’ll love it.

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken:
  • You’ll need 1 and a half pounds of skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces.
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• For the Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes—or more if you like it spicy!
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a quick thickener.
• Garnish:
  • Green onions, chopped
  • Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Coat the chicken pieces by mixing them in a bowl with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This helps create a crispy exterior when cooked.
2. Cook the Chicken: Warm some oil in a big pan over medium-high heat and get ready to cook the chicken. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce: In the same pan, pour in the rest of the oil to start the sauce. Toss in the garlic and ginger and cook for half a minute—just until it smells amazing. Be careful not to burn them!
4. Combine Sauce Ingredients: Now add soy sauce, brown sugar, and water into the pan.  Stir it while it heats up until the sugar melts and the sauce starts to bubble.
5. Add Spice: Stir in the red pepper flakes. Give it a taste and tweak the flavor however you like. If you like it spicier, add more!
6. Thicken the Sauce: Add the cornstarch and water mix slowly while whisking until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
7. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
8. Serve: Serve immediately over steamed rice. Add a handful of green onions and sesame seeds to finish it off.

Tips for Perfect Mongolian Chicken

• Use Chicken Thighs: I highly recommend using chicken thighs for this recipe. You’ll notice chicken thighs stay soft and full of flavor—unlike breasts, which can dry out.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Too much chicken in the pan at once cools the oil and makes it soggy instead of crispy.
• b) If the pan’s too full, the chicken won’t brown right—give it space!
• Adjust the Sweetness and Spice: The beauty of this recipe is that you can easily customize it to your liking. Like it sweeter? Add more sugar. Want more heat? Toss in more chili flakes.
• Make it Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Get Creative with Veggies: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to this dish! Broccoli, bell peppers, and onions are all great additions.

Ingredient Substitutions

1. Soy Sauce
Substitution: Tamari (for gluten-free)
Notes: Tamari has a slightly different flavor than soy sauce, but it works well in this recipe.

2. Brown Sugar
Substitution: Coconut sugar, Maple syrup (less sweet)
Notes: Adjust the amount to your liking, as these substitutes may have different levels of sweetness.

3. Red Pepper Flakes
Substitution: Sriracha, Chili Garlic Sauce
Notes: Begin with just a bit and add more if you need it.

4. Chicken Thighs
Substitution: Chicken Breast (but thighs are recommended)
Notes: Chicken breast can be used, but be careful not to overcook it, as it can become dry.

5. Vegetable Oil
Substitution: Canola Oil, Peanut Oil
Notes: Go for an oil that doesn’t have a strong taste and can cook hot.

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Mongolian Chicken

 Serve it over hot, fluffy rice—it soaks up all that delicious sauce. But don’t stop there! Here are a few other ideas:

• With Noodles: Serve it over lo mein or chow mein noodles for a heartier meal.
• With Stir-Fried Vegetables: Add some stir-fried broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots for a complete and balanced meal.
• As Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the Mongolian Chicken into lettuce cups for a lighter, low-carb option.
• As a topping: You can add it to a salad or use it as a topping for a baked potato.

Why I Love Making Mongolian Chicken at Home

I love making Mongolian Chicken at home for a few key reasons:

• It’s Healthier: When you make it yourself, you can control the amount of sugar, salt, and oil that goes into the dish. This allows you to create a healthier version of your favorite takeout meal.
• It’s More Affordable: Let’s face it, takeout can be expensive! Making Mongolian Chicken at home is a much more budget-friendly option.
• It’s Fun!  Spending time in the kitchen can actually be calming—and the results are pretty tasty too. Best part? You get to show off a little in the kitchen and wow your loved ones.

“Homemade Mongolian Chicken is not only delicious but also a healthier and more affordable alternative to takeout!”

Looking for More delicious recipes?

If you’ve got a minute, check out some of our other top recipes:

Easy Black Pepper Chicken Recipe

Butter Toffee Pretzels Recipe

Mountain Pie Recipes

Final Thoughts: Mastering Your Mongolian Chicken

So there you have it! My foolproof recipe for homemade Mongolian Chicken. I hope you’ll give it a try and experience the joy of creating this delicious dish in your own kitchen. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the recipe and make it your own. Happy cooking!