Quick Easy Mongolian Chicken (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
02 -
¼ cup cornstarch or as needed (or sub with potato starch)
03 -
⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
04 -
2 cloves garlic minced
05 -
1 red chili pepper sliced (optional)
06 -
5 slices ginger
07 -
4 tablespoon hoisin sauce
08 -
2 tablespoon regular soy sauce
09 -
2 tablespoon brown sugar
10 -
2 teaspoon sesame oil
→ Cornstarch Slurry
11 -
1 tablespoon cornstarch or sub with potato starch)
12 -
½ cup water
→ Optional Garnishes
13 -
1 green onion finely chopped
14 -
1 red chili pepper sliced
# Instructions:
01 -
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and ½ cup water until well combined. This is your cornstarch slurry. Set aside.
02 -
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.
03 -
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.
04 -
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.
05 -
On medium heat, add ginger, garlic, and red chili. Fry for 10 seconds.
06 -
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.
07 -
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:
01 -
Crispy fried chicken tossed in a sticky, sweet, savory sauce. This quick and easy Mongolian chicken is better-than-takeout and made with simple ingredients in 25 minutes or less!
02 -
To air fry the chicken: 1. Lightly spray air fryer basket with sufficient oil. 2. Place coated chicken into the basket in a single layer, giving each piece enough room. Do not overlap. You may need to air fry in two batches. 3. Lightly spray the chicken with oil. 4. Air fry at 400 F for 10-14 minutes until desired crispiness.