If you’re craving something sweet, savory, and impressively simple, Easy Mongolian Chicken is your new go-to dinner hero. With tender chicken in a glossy, garlic- and ginger-scented sauce, it’s a dish that delivers incredible flavor in just 30 minutes. The luscious, slightly sticky sauce clings to each bite, while just the right hint of heat keeps things interesting. Whether you’re feeding a famished family or looking to jazz up a weeknight routine, Easy Mongolian Chicken promises to win you over with its bold flavors and effortless preparation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Easy Mongolian Chicken brings something special to the table. These staples create that classic restaurant-quality taste, with each component playing a unique role in delivering rich flavor, tenderness, or vibrant color. Here’s what you’ll need—and why it’s essential.
- Chicken thighs or breasts: Choose your favorite—thighs are extra juicy, while breasts are lean and just as tasty when sliced thinly.
- Cornstarch: Coating the chicken in cornstarch gives it that irresistible crispy edge and helps thicken the sauce beautifully.
- Vegetable oil: Neutral and perfect for high-heat cooking, this oil ensures the chicken gets gorgeously golden.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Brings that signature savory depth, while letting you control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Water: Helps balance and loosen the sauce so it coats every piece just right.
- Brown sugar: Gives the sauce its sticky, caramel-tinged sweetness that contrasts perfectly with the savory elements.
- Cornstarch (for slurry): Quickly thickens the sauce, transforming it into a glossy glaze that hugs the chicken.
- Minced garlic: Adds big, bold aromatic flavor—be generous for the full effect!
- Fresh ginger: Infuses the dish with zingy warmth and a touch of brightness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): Give your Mongolian chicken a gentle kick—add more or less to match your heat preference.
- Green onions: The whites flavor the sauce while the greens add a fresh, vibrant finish on top.
How to Make Easy Mongolian Chicken
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
Start by tossing your thinly sliced chicken pieces in cornstarch until they’re well coated. This is what gives the Easy Mongolian Chicken its tender, slightly crisp exterior—and it’s the secret to that beautiful sauce cling once everything comes together.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, flipping to brown all sides. Once they’re golden and nearly cooked through, move them to a clean plate and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
Using the same pan, add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of your chopped green onions. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, just until they’re fragrant and starting to soften. This layer of aromatics is what makes Easy Mongolian Chicken stand out with every bite.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, water, and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Pour this mixture into your pan with the aromatics and bring it to a gentle simmer. The kitchen will start smelling incredible right about now!
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce & Combine
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a quick slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, letting the sauce thicken and get glossy. Return the browned chicken to the pan and toss everything together so every piece gets nicely coated. Let the chicken simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes to soak up the flavor, then finish with a sprinkle of the green onion tops.
How to Serve Easy Mongolian Chicken
Garnishes
Topping off your Easy Mongolian Chicken is all about fresh flavor and color! Scatter the green parts of your chopped onions over the hot dish just before serving. For an extra pop, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced red chili peppers looks and tastes fantastic.
Side Dishes
You can never go wrong serving this dish over a bowl of perfectly steamed white rice or fluffy jasmine rice. Noodles are another excellent choice—think wide rice noodles or even ramen. Add some simply steamed or stir-fried broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for a burst of color and nutrition alongside your Easy Mongolian Chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve Easy Mongolian Chicken in lettuce wraps for a light and crunchy hand-held dinner. Or spoon it into a rice bowl and top with a soft-boiled egg for a satisfying Asian-inspired lunch. If you’re entertaining, pile the chicken onto a big platter so everyone can help themselves family-style!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easy Mongolian Chicken keeps beautifully for meal prepping. Once cooled, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to meld, making next-day lunches even more irresistible!
Freezing
This dish is also freezer-friendly. Pack cooled portions into freezer-safe containers or bags, pressing out as much air as possible. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results—this way, the chicken stays tender and the sauce keeps its lovely texture.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. You can also microwave portions in short bursts, stirring in between, to avoid overcooking the chicken. Either way, Easy Mongolian Chicken is just as good the second time around!
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work beautifully in Easy Mongolian Chicken. Breasts are leaner and will turn out perfectly juicy when sliced thin and not overcooked.
What if I want to make it spicier?
Feel free to increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a generous splash of sriracha to the sauce for extra heat. Customize the spice level exactly the way you like it.
Can I add vegetables to the dish?
Definitely. Toss in sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas either during the final simmer or quickly stir-fried before adding the sauce. This adds color, crunch, and even more nutritional value to your Easy Mongolian Chicken.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make Easy Mongolian Chicken gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce. Be sure to check that your other condiments are gluten-free as well.
What’s the best way to slice the chicken?
For the most tender result, slice the chicken against the grain into thin, bite-sized strips. This helps them cook quickly and stay juicy in your Easy Mongolian Chicken.
Final Thoughts
Easy Mongolian Chicken is the ultimate weeknight treat—fast, flavorful, and sure to become a household favorite. Give it a try and let your creativity shine with sides and garnishes. Once you taste that sticky-sweet, saucy chicken, you’ll want to make this dish part of your regular rotation!
Print
Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Mongolian Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken slices are coated in a savory-sweet sauce with hints of garlic and ginger, served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for slurry)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 green onions, chopped (whites and greens separated)
Instructions
- Toss the chicken: Coat the sliced chicken in cornstarch.
- Cook the chicken: Brown the chicken slices in a skillet, then set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Cook garlic, ginger, and green onion whites until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Whisk together soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
- Combine and simmer: Return chicken to the pan, toss in sauce, and simmer until flavors meld.
- Serve: Top with green onion greens and serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles.
- Add bell peppers or broccoli for extra veggies.
- Adjust spiciness with more red pepper flakes or sriracha.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
