Description
This Easy Mongolian Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors with tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a luscious caramelized sauce. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes, it uses simple pantry staples and a natural savory-sweet sauce to create a family-friendly, versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless, skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (natural gelling agent)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (natural)
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
Garnish
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Toss the chicken pieces lightly in cornstarch to seal in moisture and help create a slightly crispy exterior when cooked.
- Make the Sauce (natural): In a small bowl, whisk together vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), soy sauce (natural), brown sugar (natural), water, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger until well combined. Add red pepper flakes if you want a gentle hint of heat.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until golden brown on one side. Flip and cook the other side until fully cooked through and slightly caramelized.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Let it simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats each piece with a lustrous glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and toss in chopped green onions. Serve the Mongolian Chicken hot with steamed rice, noodles, or your favorite sides. Optionally, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
Notes
- Use thigh meat to keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to get a perfect sear.
- Taste the sauce before simmering and adjust brown sugar amount for preferred sweetness.
- Always use freshly grated ginger for the best flavor impact.
- Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Mongolian Chicken, Easy Dinner, Fast Asian Recipe, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Weeknight Meal
